Miami’s path to top-5 recruiting class update with 5-star DJ Pickett committed to LSU and Antoine on board with Hurricanes

Miami’s 2025 recruiting class jumped back into the top 10 following top-100 cornerback Jaboree Antoine’s commitment over the weekend, and there’s still a tremendous chance the Hurricanes finish the cycle with their third-straight top-10 class. But Miami’s overall path to a top-five class looks different after last week’s events.

Antoine’s pledge jumped Miami to No. 9 in the On3 Industry Ranking Football Team Recruiting Rankings just behind Notre Dame at No. 8 and Texas A&M at No. 7 and just ahead of Florida State at No. 10. But the Canes will likely be on the outside looking in at a top-five recruiting class as long as they’re without a five-star commit, particularly after Five-Star Plus+ cornerback and No. 3 overall prospect DJ Pickett committed to LSU last week.

Pickett’s commitment to LSU only widened the gap between the top five recruiting classes and the rest of FBS teams in the class. Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Georgia and Oregon, who number No. 1 through No. 5 in the current rankings, respectively, each have at least two five-star commits and an average rankings score more than one total point higher than the No. 6 class (Clemson). Miami now sits about 1.4 points away from a top-five class and is yet to land a five-star recruit in the cycle, although the Hurricanes have the most four-star commits of any team outside of the top five.

Basically, Miami needs five-star commits if it wants a shot at a second straight top-five class.

No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 defensive lineman Elijah Griffin , No. 18 overall prospect and No. 4 receiver Jaime Ffrench and No. 32 overall prospect and No. 3 defensive lineman Iose Epenesa are still on the board for the Hurricanes, all of whom took official visits to Miami last month. The Hurricanes will also continue to work to flip Pickett from the Tigers and five-star receiver Dallas Wilson from Oregon. I still believe it’s possible Miami ultimately finishes with at least two of the aforementioned players on signing day.

We have a long way left until December. And plenty of good and bad can happen before then.

Head coach Mario Cristobal has only had one full recruiting class finish outside of the top 10 since becoming Oregon’s head coach in 2018, and there are still a few uncommitted four-star priority targets left on the board. Landing four-star cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. later this summer and four-star running back Byron Louis in September could give Miami’s ranking some much-needed breathing room with five programs on the Hurricanes’ tail. Florida State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Michigan and Texas are all within striking distance of Miami and could jump the Hurricanes by landing a splash commitment this fall.

Miami is betting on itself to win big this season and should be able to add a handful of additional blue-chip prospects if the Hurricanes get off to the start many fans believe they will, although there’s no hard limit on the number of players Miami expects to have in its class. But there’s no mistaking Miami will need to add five-star talent if it hopes to finish with another top-five recruiting class.

The post Miami’s path to top-5 recruiting class update with 5-star DJ Pickett committed to LSU and Antoine on board with Hurricanes appeared first on On3 .