On the recruiting trail, Miami (FL) football is setting new records for speed. This includes outshining teams in the upcoming hiring cycle. In the early stages, the Hurricanes defeated rival Florida State and even Georgia to win over one in-state 2027 talent.
According to Hayes Fawcett of On3, Miami obtained defensive back Kenton Dopson’s most recent verbal commitment on Thursday. For head coach Mario Cristobal and the ‘Canes, Dopson is a local recruiting success.
“This Is A Dream Come True, I’m Home. Go Canes,” Dopson shared via Fawcett.
But again, the Norland High of Miami standout emerges as the first major 2027 defensive addition for a program already putting together a stout 2026 class.
Miami isn’t afraid to show off its recruiting prowess. Before chasing future ‘Canes in January, the Hurricanes made their own helicopter landing on the football field at DeSoto High School in Texas. Will Harris, who is considered to be one of the top defensive back recruiters in the country, was also added to Miami’s coaching staff to strengthen it.
The ‘Canes, though, haven’t delivered the type of aggressive early recruiting results in 2025 compared to two other programs. USC has established itself as the top-ranked recruiting class for 2026. Miami’s Atlantic Coast Conference rival Clemson follows at No. 2. The former university holds 14 total verbal commits, while the latter has 12 pledging to Clemson.
As of right now, Miami has five verbal commitments for the ’26 cycle. The ‘Canes are currently ranked No. 23 nationally by 247Sports and have the sixth-best ’26 group in the ACC. Georgia (22) and Florida State (14th) are ranked higher. However, according to the composite rankings, all five Miami prospects are four-star players.
The group’s star is linebacker Jordan Campbell, who is ranked as Miami’s top prospect by 247Sports. Legacy prospect Camden Portis, whose father Clinton won the 2001 National Championship before launching a stellar NFL career, even committed to Miami.
On March 7, a significant recruiting flip was influenced by the Harris addition. Jaelen Waters, a longtime Gators commit, was completely reversed by the former Florida defensive back coach.
The only ACC school to sign a ’27 prospect is Miami. Zac Ethridge, the new cornerbacks coach, assisted the 6-foot-1 Dopson in running point during his recruitment. As reported by Gaby Urrutia of Inside The U on 247Sports, Ethridge began cultivating the relationship with the underclassman in January. The ’27 verbal commits Dopson and wide receiver Ah’Mari Stevens.
As a sophomore on varsity, Dopson broke up 16 passes and grabbed three interceptions. Dopson rejects Penn State, a College Football Playoff qualifier, along with Florida State and Georgia for “The U.” Additionally, Auburn, South Carolina, Nebraska, and Texas A&M extended offers to him.
