Cristobal making mark on recruits
Top local prospects, including Dillard’s Kelly, eyeing UM
The Miami Hurricanes’ 2022 recruiting class was faltering under former coach Manny Diaz, but there is a new buzz around the program after the school hired former Oregon coach Mario Cristobal on Monday. Local high school prospects are already taking note.
“I feel like it was a good fit for Miami to hire a new coach that’s a winning coach,” Dillard defensive lineman Nyjalik Kelly said.
Kelly is one of Miami’s top targets. The Dillard senior is rated a four-star prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings. He is listed as the 13th-best defensive lineman and the No. 84 player in the 2022 class.
Cristobal was previously recruiting him to Oregon, and Diaz was trying to get him to the Hurricanes. Kelly took an official visit to Oregon in June, and he has taken several unofficial visits to Miami. He said he built a good relationship with Cristobal when he was at Oregon and spoke to the new Miami coach on Tuesday.
“(Cristobal said) that he couldn’t get me to Oregon, so he had to come home,” Kelly said.
Kelly is planning to sign on Dec. 15, but before he does, he said he will take an official visit to Miami.
“I’m basically just going to ask him: Is the scheme going to change or (are) the coaches going to change,” Kelly said.
Two Benjamin sophomores, quarterback Tyler Aronson and Chauncey Bowens, held offers from Miami when Diaz was the coach. Both rising stars have not met Cristobal yet but think he is a strong hire.
“I think it’s a big hire for Miami,” Aronson said. “He’s a really competitive guy. You see what Oregon was doing this year. I mean, they beat Ohio State early on in the season. It’s definitely really exciting. There’s been a lot of changes in college football in general this year. So it’s really excited and looking forward to these next few months and this upcoming season next fall.”
Bowens said he is excited to meet the new Miami staff when he has the chance.
“I think that’s a great hire for Miami, honestly,” Bowens said, “but right now I just want to get on campus and meet them all.”