Hurricanes land 5-star D-lineman Wayne

Miami needed to wait a few days before securing another blue-chip commitment, but the Hurricanes’ hot streak continued Saturday.

Five-star defensive lineman Jayden Wayne committed to the Hurricanes on Friday afternoon, choosing Miami over offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oregon and dozens of other college programs. He announced his decision on CBS Sports.

“It’s been a long process,” Wayne said on the broadcast. “I’m just excited to be here today with my family. I’m grateful.”

Wayne is the second five-star prospect to pick UM in the last week, following offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa on Monday.

Wayne is a Washington native, and Cristobal was the first to offer him a scholarship in July 2019 when Cristobal was coaching at Oregon.

“Me and Mario Cristobal’s relationship been since eighth grade,” Wayne said. “I’ve known him since the eighth grade, so we have that bond.”

Wayne said he was looking forward to learning from Hurricanes defensive analyst and Miami Dolphins legend Jason Taylor.

“It means everything, just a Hall of Famer to be there, he’s been through it all so he knows a lot of the game,” Wayne said.

Wayne, a 6-foot-5 and 245-pound edge rusher, has since grown into the No. 5 edge rusher and No. 30 player in the class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He spent last season playing at Tacoma (Washington) Lincoln High, where he racked up 44 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks and 13 quarterback hurries.

However, Wayne will be closer to his future college this season. He announced he is transferring to Bradenton IMG Academy. While he’s there, he will play with fellow Hurricanes commits Mauigoa and tight end Riley Williams.

Should Wayne and Mauigoa both stick to their UM commitments, it will be just the third time since 2010 that Miami signed more than one five-star prospect in a single class, according to 247Sports archives. The last time the Hurricanes accomplished that was in 2021 when the Hurricanes signed five-star defensive lineman Leonard Taylor and five-star safety James Williams. Miami also signed two five-star prospects in 2012 (running back Duke Johnson and cornerback Tracy Howard).

The Hurricanes have not had three or more five-star prospects in one class since 2008, when they signed linebacker Arthur Brown, defensive tackle Marcus Forston and cornerback Brandon Harris.

Wayne said Hurricanes fans should expect a lot from him in the coming seasons.

“You guys are getting a beast,” Wayne said. “A coachable player, willing to learn, not afraid of anything, competitive. I’m just ready to compete.”

Hurricanes coaches wasted no time before celebrating the commitment on social media.

“(It’s) a great day to be a Hurricane,” quality control analyst Terry Jefferson posted.

Added tight ends coach Stephen Field in all capital letters: “Iron will sharpen iron on Greentree.”