Miami offers 2026 DB Elbert Hill following Kevin Beard’s Midwest visit

Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban 2026 cornerback Elbert Hill picked up a Miami offer Friday following receivers coach Kevin Beard’s visit to his high school late last week, becoming the second program to offer the freshman defensive back.

The 5-foot-10, 161-pound corner immediately has high interest in the Hurricanes as they joined Pitt as the first two programs to offer him, and he wants to visit Coral Gables to learn more about the school. He rated his interest in Miami as a “10” and said the Hurricanes treat you like family.

“We had a great talk. (Beard said) I received the offer because they loved my film,” Hill said. “I was happy, but I didn’t want to jump up and down in front of the coach’s face. But I was super excited. He loved my footwork, how I can cover wide receivers and they loved my speed. It’s a great school sports and academic-wise, and they have a great culture out there.”

Hill immediately took a shine to Beard after receiving the offer, which he said came as a complete surprise. He hadn’t had any previous interactions with any members of Miami’s staff and hasn’t visited campus, although he’s now heavily interested in building a relationship with the Canes.

“(Beard) is a great man,” Hill said. “I like his personality. He’s a funny guy.”

Hill said development will be a paramount factor in his recruitment.

CaneSport’s Take

The evaluation period is the first time Miami’s coaches are seeing many of their underclassmen recruits in person, although coaches are forced to evaluate players from a distance due to NCAA rules. Still, the evaluation period provides coaches an opportunity to begin building relationships with prospects who may not receive the same level of recruiting attention during the heart of spring practices, official visit season and during fall camp.

Miami will continue its strategy of casting an extremely wide recruiting net by likely handing out a few dozen offers during the evaluation period before the Canes begin to bring prospects to campus in droves during June.

The Hurricanes have been attacking the Midwest. Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and co-defensive line coach Jason Taylor visited four-star Chicago EDGE Marquise Lightfoot’s and five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott’s respective high schools Monday. Both have been heavy Miami priority targets in the 2024 cycle.

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