Three Predictions: Miami, spring games, Travis Hunter
Rivals national recruiting analyst John Garcia Jr. has predictions on Miami landing a top running back target, the future of spring games and Travis Hunter‘s impact on future college prospects.
1. JAYLYN JONES STAYS HOME WITH MIAMI.
Miami is heating up on the recruiting trail, particularly with local talent and one of the best in the 2027 class resides just one county north of campus. Jaylyn Jones told Rivals that Miami was pushing the most at the moment from a consistency perspective and Mario Cristobal‘s staff has let it become known they want the top-100 talent in the class sooner rather than later.
A lifelong fan who has frequented Coral Gables as his recruitment has emerged, Jones looks like he could be next up to pop for The U.
Auburn, Florida State, UCF and others are squarely in the mix and visits are being discussed, but this is Miami’s race to lose as we see it.
2. SPRING FOOTBALL GAMES AGAINST EXTERNAL OPPONENTS WILL COME SOON.
Colorado and Syracuse trying to work on a spring game against one another was shot down by the NCAA in short order, but the two programs will be viewed as pioneers once the organization comes to its senses. The combination of it making plenty of sense for the sport itself, especially in the offseason, pales in comparison to the money the window could soon make for programs involved. It may not always become Power Four versus one another like we almost got, but even local power playing lesser programs relative to proximity (e.g. Georgia vs. Georgia State) could generate considerable revenue for all involved and that alone will command attention from the NCAA.
It may not have to be a joint-practice scenario like the NFL preseason model, but setting up a game with modified rules could make the post March Madness sports lull feel that much more relevant. Football is king in this country and as the college model moves closer to a professional and/or amateur version of the NFL, a preseason and/or spring element will come to light sooner rather than later.
3. TRAVIS HUNTER’S RISE WILL CREATE MORE AMBITIOUS TWO-WAY RECRUITS.
As unique as the Heisman Trophy winner’s skill set is headed into the NFL and was in high school and college, Travis Hunter‘s legacy could become that of inspiring a new wave of two-way athletes at least in principle. We’ve heard countless programs throw out the possibilities to prospects with diverse skill sets from Florida commitment J’Vari Flowers to Syracuse freshman Demetres Samuel, who is also making headlines for his youth in turning 17 while getting through his first semester of college ball.
Recruiting is fluid and full of empty promises, yes, but even if some of these coaches are telling the truth to the next wave – let’s not expect another Hunter for quite some time and maybe a very long time.
As he is compared with Deion Sanders, Charles Woodson and/or Champ Bailey for the sake of the cornerback-who-could-play-offense conversation, Hunter dwarfed all of them from an actual production standpoint. In 2024 Hunter hauled in 96 passes for 1,258 yards and he added four interceptions on defense. The previously mentioned trio combined for 80 collegiate catches in their collective careers.
Recruiting will always use or bend precedent, but there is only one Travis Hunter.
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2025-04-04 08:38:14
