Miami in strong contention for No. 1 EDGE in 2025 recruiting class: “Coach Cristobal was telling me how it’s going to be different this year”

Miami has turned into a serious player for Ellaville (Ga.) Schley County 2025 five-star EDGE Zayden Walker, the No. 1 EDGE prospect in his recruiting class and the No. 6 overall recruit, as the Hurricanes battle programs like Georgia and Florida State for the blue-chip recruit.

Walker visited Miami for the Hurricanes’ end-of-summer recruiting barbecue July 29, and the 6-foot-1.5, 225-pound underclassman has had his sights set on a return visit to Coral Gables for some time. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and linebackers coach Derek Nicholson have developed strong relationships with Walker, who confidently listed Miami as a top three school along with Georgia and FSU.

Sources indicated to CaneSport Georgia is the current leader for Walker, but Miami isn’t far behind in second place.

“I love coach D-Nich (Nicholson). I really love the whole staff,” Walker said. “That makes them top five. But what makes them top three is when you add add onto the coaching staff the feel and just the love for it, you know what I mean? Like when you’re at Miami, it doesn’t even feel like college.”

Walker is continuing to try to get back to Miami for a game visit and visited Georgia two weeks ago for the Bulldogs’ game against South Carolina. He also plans to visit Florida State this fall.

Walker has been impressed with Miami’s turnaround from last season and the Hurricanes’ hot 4-0 start and rise to No. 18 in the AP Poll, and while the early success surprised him, he’s always been a strong believer in Cristobal and Nicholson since the duo started recruiting him.

“Coach Cristobal was telling me how it’s going to be different this year,” Walker said. “When I was looking at (the team), I was like, ‘Okay, yeah I can see it. I know they’re getting ready to turn it up.’ I actually went to one of their practices, and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, they’re ready.’ It surprised me myself if you want me to be honest, but I knew they had it in them.”

Seeing Miami live up to the vision Cristobal and Nicholson fed to him has helped the Hurricanes’ position tremendously. Player development, relationship with coaches and on-field success will all factor into Walker’s decision.

The City of Miami and the school’s location has also helped spur Walker’s interest in the Hurricanes, and he said he feels like Miami is a place he can always return to and stay post-college if he chose. He wants to major in business and believes South Florida is an ideal place to be for potential entrepreneurs.

CaneSport’s Take

Miami’s progress with Walker comes as the Hurricanes continue to reap the benefits of their early success, particularly with the 2025 class. Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Armondo Blount, the No. 4 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, committed to the Hurricanes earlier this month, shortly after Miami landed 2025 four-star receiver Waden Charles.

The Hurricanes are trending in a positive direction with Walker, and it looks like Miami’s position will only continue to improve if the Canes continue on their current trajectory.

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