Miami Football Pushing to Flip $1 Million, 5-Star Recruit

The Miami Hurricanes lost out on the initial commitment from offensive tackle Mark Matthews. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound pass protector is a five-star recruit, the No. 1 offensive tackle and the No. 6 player in the nation, according to Rivals Industry Rankings.

He committed to the Texas A&M Aggies on May 15, over other finalists such as the Hurricanes, LSU Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs. He also had offers from the Florida Gators, Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Despite his commitment to the Aggies, Mario Cristobal and his staff are pushing for a flip. On Friday, Rivals' Steve Wiltfong reported that Miami will continue to stay in contact with Matthews.

"Perhaps Miami's most coveted target remaining is No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 6 player overall in five-star Mark Matthews," Wiltfong wrote. "A Texas A&M pledge, the Hurricanes will maintain steady contact with the prized South Florida recruit and they'll aim to make the Aggies work the rest of the 2027 cycle."

While NIL may not be the biggest factor for the pass protector, it's become a major aspect of high school recruiting. Rivals' Pete Nakos previously revealed that Matthews is expected to earn a first-year deal "around the $1 million mark."

It's a hefty price tag, but something the Hurricanes could afford. Miami reportedly spent in the $30 million range for their 2025 roster, which made a national championship appearance.

Keeping the pressure on Texas A&M is key to putting a flip in motion. If the Hurricanes can pull it off, Matthews would be a major addition to their 2027 cycle. They rank first in the ACC and fourth in the nation with 15 commitments.

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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 2:56 PM.