Miami among top schools for LB set for visit: “Cristobal wants to get Miami back to where they were when no one was touching Miami”
Buford (Ga.) 2025 linebacker Mantrez Walker, who backed off his pledge to Michigan in September, has narrowed his top schools to 12 and the Miami Hurricanes are among that group.
Alongside the Canes are Arkansas, Stanford, Michigan State, Louisville, Tennessee, LSU, Penn State, South Carolina, Missouri, Colorado and Ole Miss. Heading into the new year, Walker is hoping to get a closer look at his top schools, with one of his stops in January being in Coral Gables later this month for Miami’s junior day.
“The Hurricanes are definitely among my top schools because of the communication and love from the coaches,” Walker told CaneSport. “Also, the legendary history of Miami with all the great defensive players going there, along with my favorite player ever, Ray Lewis. And the relationship with coach Dnic (Derek Nicholson) and coach (Mario) Cristobal. Those guys have been showing me love from the beginning of my recruiting process. I feel great about them for sure.”
This visit to South Florida will be his first visit to Miami. Walker says his strong relationship with Hurricanes linebacker coach Nicholson has the program high on his board.
“Me and the coaches have built a real good connection, so I just want to see the campus and everything around it,” Walker said. “Seeing the environment and the culture in front of my face. Spending time with the coaches in meetings, getting a chance to see Miami and all of that.”
Over the course of the 5-foot-11, 215-pounder recruitment, Walker says Nicholson has spoken highly of his game.
“Coach Dnic talks about how they love my game and how I can fit the run,” Walker said. “How I’m quick with my reads, play off instinct, and how they just want me to be a part of something great and bring The U back.”
Along with the Hurricanes staff, Walker is close with Miami 2025 commits Luke Nickel, who is a fellow Georgia native, and four-star linebacker Elijah Melendez. Both are pushing for him to join the class.
“Luke is my boy and I’ve known him for a long time,” Walker said. “Me and him talked a good bit about Miami, and he said this is the place to be. I’ve always liked Miami since I was younger, but him saying that made me look at it some more as well. I’m also close with Elijah Melendez. We were talking before he committed, and he was trying to get me to hop on board and for us to start back what Miami had back in the day.”
With the visit inching closer, Walker is excited to see what all Miami has to offer and believes the program is heading in the right direction under head coach Mario Cristobal.
“I like what they’re building in Miami, and I see that they have a great recruiting class that just came in,” Walker said. “I see that they’re trying to build that in the 2025 class as well. Cristobal wants to get Miami back to where they were when no one was touching Miami. With us coming in as recruits and getting the culture right, I think that would help it.”
CaneSport’s take
Walker is a hard-hitting middle linebacker who has been on the Hurricanes and Nicholson’s radar since the program first offered him last March. Getting him on campus will be extremely beneficial for both sides as they continue to further their relationship.
The post Miami among top schools for LB set for visit: “Cristobal wants to get Miami back to where they were when no one was touching Miami” appeared first on On3.
