Elite DL to join UM after late recruiting push by Cristobal

The Miami Hurricanes have a new top player in their Class of 2022 after Cyrus Moss orally committed to Miami during the All-American Bowl on Sunday. The No. 63 player in the nation, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings, didn’t even hold a scholarship offer from the Hurricanes until Mario Cristobal took over as coach last month.

Moss couldn’t actually play in the game at the Alamodome in San Antonio because of COVID-19 protocols, but he announced his decision during NBC’s broadcast of the game. Miami beat out Arizona State and USC to land the elite edge rusher from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.

“Initially, I didn’t know much about Miami, but I just trusted in coach Cristobal,” Moss told NBC. “Over time, I just kept listening to what he said and I realized that what they’re doing at the U is special. It’s about to be big and I can be the forefront of it, and I’m ready to get that started.

Big things are about to be coming to Miami.”

The Hurricanes were a total non-factor in Moss’ recruitment before Cristobal’s arrival. Before Cristobal left Oregon for Miami last month, Oregon was considered the frontrunner in Moss’ recruitment, with multiple predictions in the 247Sports Crystal Ball pointing the 6-foot-6, 220pound senior to Eugene.

After Cristobal got to Coral Gables, the picture became muddier with USC emerging as a major contender to keep Moss out west and, of course, Cristobal working to bring Moss to his new home.

On the final weekend before the early signing period last month, Moss traveled from Vegas to Los Angeles for an official visit with the Trojans, then from California to South Florida for an official visit with the Hurricanes. On Saturday, the late push paid off for Miami.

Moss is the new topranked player in the Hurricanes’ class and their third top-100 recruit. When Cristobal took over at Miami last month, the Hurricanes didn’t have a single top-100 recruit committed.

Moss, who joins four-star defensive lineman Nyjalik Kelly and four-star tight end Jaleel Skinner as the top-100 players in the class, moves Miami’s 2022 class up to No. 36 in the nation.

It wasn’t all perfect for Cristobal on Saturday. The Hurricanes also hoped to land Kevin Coleman at the All-American Bowl, but the wide receiver committed to FCS Jackson State.

Moss’ pledge is not yet binding. The four-star recruit did not sign a national letter of intent last month and is not early enrolling, so he won’t be able to officially lock in with UM until National Signing Day in February.