Miami coaches continue pushing for 4-star Jason Zandamela, check up on Hurricanes commit Isaiah Thomas

Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal and secondary coach Jahmile Addae made separate trips to Clearwater (Fla.) Clearwater Academy International on Friday to check up on 2024 four-star center Jason Zandamela and Miami three-star safety commit Isaiah Thomas, the former of whom Miami is pushing hard to land and the latter the Hurricanes are trying to shore up.

Friday was Miami’s first trip to Clearwater of the evaluation period as the staff attempts to sway the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine’s momentum away from Florida State for Zandamela (where he’s heavily favored to land) and ensure Thomas remains fully locked into the Hurricanes, which CAI head coach Jesse Chinchar said he is.

Zandamela is the No. 127 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking and No. 7 interior offensive lineman in the class. Chinchar added the 6-foot-3, 286-pound center has interest in the Hurricanes despite the RPM listing Florida State as the heavy favorite.

Mirabal visited Friday afternoon to watch Zandamela practice after Addae stopped by earlier in the day to check up on Thomas.

“(With Thomas), at this point I think it’s more about just trying to build the relationship,” Chinchar said. “I’ve known (Addae) for awhile, so he comes in and talks about Isaiah. Once they’re committed, it’s a matter of keeping them committed. … And (Zandamela) definitely has his eye on (Miami). They’re definitely in his top schools.”

Thomas is the No. 69 safety in the class with an Industry Grade of 87.35, less than three points from being a four-star prospect. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound defensive back shut down his recruitment following his commitment two weeks ago, but Zandamela continues to be heavily pursued by multiple programs.

“Florida State, USC, Oklahoma hasn’t come by yet but they will, they’re one of the schools he really likes,” Chinchar said. “Everybody saw him work out in January. It’s just endless, the amount of people that have asked about him or seen him work out in practice.”

Zandamela already has official visits set to Florida State and USC and said in early April he wanted to see the Hurricanes’ offensive line continue to improve before he locks in an official visit with Miami.

CaneSport’s Take

Zandamela has kept Miami on his radar, but I wouldn’t feel good about Miami’s position with him until the Hurricanes get him on campus for an official visit. The Canes are also targeting three-star Clearwater Cavalry Christian offensive lineman Joseph Ionata at center, and it feels like Miami is in substantially better shape with him than Zandamela.

That being said, don’t be shocked if Zandamela returns to campus this summer in some capacity.

The post Miami coaches continue pushing for 4-star Jason Zandamela, check up on Hurricanes commit Isaiah Thomas appeared first on On3.