After announcing his top 10 schools in May, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star defensive lineman Aydin Breland will be trimming his list to four schools, and the Miami Hurricanes are hoping to see their name among the final group.

“I will be dropping a final four soon,” Breland told CaneSport. “I believe we narrowed it down, but nothing has been officially set yet. With those final four, none of them are bad options at all. I’m really getting to the nitty gritty and trying to be super precise and make sure I pick the right fit.”

Two months removed from making Breland’s top 10 schools alongside Oregon, Georgia, USC, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas A&M, Nebraska, LSU, and Tennessee, the Hurricanes have remained in contact with the No. 26 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, who took an official visit to Miami on June 9. 

“Of course, most definitely,” Breland said when asked if the Hurricanes were still in the mix. “Me and coach (Mario) Cristobal talk quite often. I also talk with coach Jason Taylor a lot and coach Joe Salave’a.”

Throughout his recruitment, Miami has made the 6-foot-4.5, 320-pounder feel like a priority target and have expressed to him that he could potentially make an impact as soon as he steps on campus.

“They tell me I can be an impact player and that they really want me over there,” Breland said. “All the energy over there is super great and everything.”

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Oregon currently has the highest odds to land Breland with a 23.9 percent probability, followed by Georgia with a 20.9 percent probability, and Miami rounding out the top three with a 15 percent probability.

“I feel like it would just have to hit me, you know?” Breland said when asked when he would know when he wanted to commit to a program. “When you try to force things based on what he says or she says instead of them coming organically, it doesn’t end up well. I think I’ll just know when it happens.”

As a College Recruit

A pass-rushing defensive lineman with rare movement skills for his size, Breland measured in at 6-foot-4.5, 320 pounds in the off-season prior to his senior season. He has good length for the position with arms over 33 inches. Has a naturally large frame, with his weight fluctuating between 280 and 320 pounds for most of his high school career. Typically lines up at defensive end for SoCal powerhouse Mater Dei. Moves like a much smaller player. Pushes the pocket with his speed to power. Bowls offensive tackles into the backfield on contact. Has the strength to stack and shed linemen to make plays against the run. Tracks down plays with his notable pursuit athleticism. Punishes offenses for leaving him unblocked. Also participates in track and field. Turned in a personal best throw of 46-6 feet in the shot put as a sophomore. Works as a rotational player for Mater Dei and is not as productive as most other blue-chip defensive linemen to this point. Finished his junior season with 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. Older for the cycle, turning 19 years old in January of his senior year.

CaneSport’s take 

Breland has been one of Miami’s top targets during the 2024 cycle, so it should be interesting to see if the efforts have paid off and if they make this final list. Regardless of whether the Hurricanes make or do not make the cut, we expect them to recruit Breland up until the very end of things.

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