Mario Cristobal will have to beat out Kirby Smart for brother of NFL All-Pro player that Miami Hurricanes can't afford to miss out on
We might be a month past the old national signing day, but recruiting never stops, particularly for those at top schools looking to get an early impression on top 2026 talent. That includes Mario Cristobal, who's known as a tireless worker. And he's been putting in work with Fort Lauderdale (St. Thomas Aquinas) CB Justice […]
We might be a month past the old national signing day, but recruiting never stops, particularly for those at top schools looking to get an early impression on top 2026 talent.
That includes Mario Cristobal, who's known as a tireless worker. And he's been putting in work with Fort Lauderdale (St. Thomas Aquinas) CB Justice Fitzpatrick. On3 Sports lists Fitzpatrick as the #56 overall player, #7 cornerback, and #7 player in Florida in its 2026 industry rankings.
Cristobal and the Hurricanes have made good headway early in his recruiting. Fitzpatrick was on campus in Coral Gables on Friday, per Chad Simmons of On3 Sports. On3 Sports lists Miami as far and away the most likely team to secure Fitzpatrick's services at a 94.7% prediction level.
However, Fitzpatrick has lined up some spring and summer visits, and the latter include a couple of notable blue blood programs in Georgia and Texas. Fitzpatrick is set to take official visits to Georgia on May 30 and Texas on June 13. He comes to Coral Gables for his official visit with the Canes on June 6.
It goes without saying that Fitzpatrick is a very important target for Cristobal. Miami's lack of talent in the secondary was on painful display in the second half of the 2024 season, preventing the best offense in program history from taking the team to its first ever College Football Playoff berth.
Cristobal also has to do what his predecessors haven't been able to – keep top South Florida talent in South Florida. He was close to landing standout Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith, but he wasn't able to close the deal.
To get Fitzpatrick, Cristobal will have to fend off Georgia and Kirby Smart. Smart has a connection to Fitzpatrick's brother Minkah, standout safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers and three-time First Team All-Pro. Smart coached Minkah when he was the Alabama Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator in 2015.
It's hard to say no to Georgia right now. The Bulldogs are sending players to the NFL in droves, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Fortunately for the Canes, Cristobal also has a connection with Minkah, as he was on Alabama's staff at the same time as well.
We'll see if Mario can outduel his former Crimson Tide staff mate and work to secure a key part of his 2026 recruiting class once the official visits take place this summer.
