Miami makes tops schools for 4-star EDGE Zina Umeozulu: “I’m really excited to go back”

2024 Allen (Tex.) four-star EDGE Zina Umeozulu is down to nine schools, and the Miami Hurricanes are among that group, which features the likes of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas, Oregon, USC, SMU, and Georgia.

Despite not visiting Coral Gables in nearly a year, recent conversations with Miami’s staff and his first visit to Miami in 2022 was enough to solidify the Hurricanes as one of his top programs, and he has his eyes set on an official visit during the fall.

“I had a great time during my first visit and really like what coach (Mario) Cristobal is doing there,” Umeozulu told CaneSport. “I’m really excited to go back.”

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Umeozulu ranks as the No. 193 overall prospect in the country, No. 14 EDGE prospect in the nation and No. 38 prospect in Texas.

With over 30 offers, Umeozulu believed now was the perfect time to focus on a select group of programs as he drew nearer to his decision.

“There have been some programs that I don’t have much interest in, and I just feel like now’s the time to cut it down,” Umeozulu said. “I feel like it has been a bit overdue too.”

Regarding the Hurricanes, Umeozulu had nothing but great things to say about Cristobal and his staff despite a rocky first season, as well as how he has had his eyes on the Hurricanes for some time now.

“I’m not worried about the first year,” Umeozulu said. “People can turn things around in a couple of months. Also, I’ve always looked out at Miami, especially because I’m a big Baltimore Ravens fan. They had guys like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, so I’ve always been checking out Miami.”

While Umeozulu was initially recruited by former Miami defensive line coach Rod Wright before his departure to the Houston Texans, Hurricanes’ new DE coach Jason Taylor has stepped in as the Texas native’s primary recruiter and hasn’t missed a beat.

“I just get real, genuine vibes and a good feeling from coach Taylor,” Umeozulu said. “I already know what he did in the NFL, so I feel like he knows how to develop and what to look out for.”

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Texas is the current favorite to land Umeozulu’s commitment, followed by Oklahoma and Texas A&M, who round out the top three. Despite not having a commitment date set, Umeozulu says he will announce his pledge when he “gets that feeling” from a program.

With Miami looking to establish itself as a true threat to land Umeozulu’s pledge, he says he wants to see more love from the Hurricanes, and they will be a program he will heavily consider when it is time to commit.

“I just want to see more love (from Miami), that’s pretty much it,” Umeozulu said when asked what the Hurricanes would have to do to establish themselves as a front-runner in his recruitment. “Just show more love than the other schools.”

CaneSport’s take 

Miami left a lasting impression on Umeozulu, which eventually led to him listing them among his top schools. Although it may be concerning that he has not visited Coral Gables in over a year, he wants his next visit to be an official visit during the regular season. With Jason Taylor leading the charge for the prized defensive end, do not be surprised if Miami becomes a dark horse down the road in the race for Umeozulu’s pledge.

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