Miami just moved up to No. 1 and appear poised for a big win on a weekend they lost to Notre Dame
A strong finish to the 2027 cycle could be forthcoming for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes.
Things did not go well for the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes on Saturday in South Bend. The Canes, who are dealing with the loss of star WR Malachi Toney for likely 4-6 weeks due to an ankle injury and surgery, fell into a 24-3 hole and never could fully dig themselves out, losing to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-24.
However, on a sour weekend, a terrific silver lining might be forming for Miami.
According to Rivals’ insider Steve Wiltfong, St. Thomas Aquinas five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews decommitted from Texas A&M on Sunday. Wiltfong predicts Matthews to commit to Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes.
5-star OT Mark Matthews decommits from Texas A&M; Rivals recruiting insider predicts will land with Miami Hurricanes
Matthews is one of the top names in the entire 2027 class regardless of position. Matthews is ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle, No. 1 player in the state of Florida, and No. 2 overall player in the nation according to Rivals’ industry ratings. He holds offers from just about every notable program.
Matthews committed to Texas A&M over Miami back in mid-May, and it was a swing and miss that was a painful one for the Hurricanes, given Matthews’ stature and being a South Florida high school player. Landing him would continue a recent trend of keeping elite South Florida talent home. Fellow South Florida five-stars A’Mir Sears and Nick Lennear are a part of Miami’s sterling 2027 class.
Speaking of that class, according to Rivals’ team rankings, the loss of Matthews has dropped Texas A&M from the top spot and put Miami on top. If Cristobal closes the deal with Matthews, that would put a potential stranglehold on the top spot.
And it would give Miami yet another massive building block towards what could be a special number of years ahead. Not a bad way to finish what had been a drab weekend.
