Miami football combined high school and transfer class 7th nationally

The Miami football program signed the seventh-best combined high school and transfer portal class according to Paul Myerberg of USA Today. Miami signed the seventh-best 2023 high school class and the 11th-best transfer group. Miami is one of five programs nationally with high school and transfer classes in the top 15.

LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon and USC are the other four high school and transfer classes in the top 15 nationally. All five of those programs are entering the second offseason with their current head coaches. Oklahoma and LSU are the only schools in this group that signed a high school class ranked ahead of the Miami football program.

Oklahoma signed the fourth-ranked 2023 class and LSU sixth. Oregon signed with the eighth-ranked class and USC 12. LSU, Oklahoma and USC signed higher-ranked transfer classes than Miami. LSU signed the top-ranked 2023 transfer class, USC is third, Oklahoma ninth and Oregon 12th.

Among the five programs with high school and transfer classes in the top 15, Alabama five-star edge rusher Keon Keeley is the highest-ranked as the salutatorian in the 2023 class. Former Texas A&M cornerback Denver Harris is the highest-ranked transfer among these five programs being ranked third for 2023.

"Miami (Fla.)Biggest recruit: OL Francis MauigoaImpact transfer: LB Francisco Mauigoa (Washington State)Francis Mauigoa is one of several offensive and defensive linemen brought in to establish a more physical style and change the direction of the program after a brutal first season under coach Mario Cristobal.Unsurprisingly, Cristobal has put together a terrific group of high school prospects despite the Hurricanes’ five-win finish thanks in part to the opportunity for immediate playing time. There’s more help in the trenches coming through the portal, led by former Central Florida center Matt Lee and Alabama guard Javion Cohen."

Francis Mauigoa is a five-star signee in the 2023 Miami class who has a chance to compete to be a starter and is the highest-ranked in the 2023 Miami class per the 247 Sports composite rankings. Former Alabama offensive lineman Javion Cohen is the highest-ranked 2023 Miami transfer per 247 Sports.

Francisco Mauigoa is the consensus favorite to be the starting Miami middle linebacker replacing returning incumbent Corey Flagg. Mauigoa had a breakout 2022 season with 60 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception which he returned for a touchdown, two pass defenses, three forced fumbles and one recovery.

Miami will need Cohen and the Mauigoas to live up to the billing from Myerberg and become impact players in 2023. Mario Cristobal has quickly flipped over the Hurricanes roster in just over 13 months. Miami has added 59 players to its roster since Cristobal was hired in December 2021 with 55 returning in 2023.