Unpolished Irish giant Neff Giwa, lacking football experience but possessing elite size, nears a commitment decision with the Miami Hurricanes vying for his rare talent.
As spring training continues to progress, the Miami Hurricanes remain aggressive in recruiting top prospects. Earlier this week, it was announced that a couple of three-stars, cornerback Sherrod Gourdine and offensive lineman Josh Johnson, committed to the program as part of the class of 2027. Coming off a National Championship appearance, several high school players are paying attention to the Hurricanes’ rise in contention, including Neff Giwa.
The Irish native is a unique prospect who hasn’t played a snap of American football. However, given his unique size, the upcoming offensive tackle is gaining traction. Giwa is listed at 6-8, 300 pounds, 10-inch hands, 37-inch arms, and 86-inch wingspan. Despite the lack of experience, he competed in track and field, basketball, soccer, and rugby.
It was reported that Giwa will announce his commitment on Sunday, March 29. There are five programs listed as finalists: Texas Longhorns, Tennessee Volunteers, North Carolina Tar Heels, South Carolina Gamecocks, and Hurricanes. Also, he received interest and offers from the SMU Mustangs and James Madison Dukes.
The Hurricanes are known for dominating matchups in the trenches, especially last season with left tackle Markel Bell, right guard Anez Cooper, center James Brockermeyer, and All-American right tackle Francis Mauigoa, all of whom declared for the upcoming NFL Draft. They provided high-quality protection for quarterback Carson Beck en route to the National Championship game.
Giwa has the opportunity to develop under offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, who’s well-regarded as one of the top assistants in the nation. Also, he shares similar traits to Bell in terms of unique size and length as an offensive lineman.
The under-the-radar prospect took a few visits, including with the Gamecocks and Hurricanes.
Regardless of where Giwa goes, he will be a unique development project. He has the size to be a productive offensive tackle, but his techniques need improvement.
Despite losing four key starters, the Hurricanes look to remain dominant in the trenches. As spring training unfolds, they will work with certain groups and further evaluate which is the best ahead of the regular season. The program has a few veterans to rely upon, such as redshirt senior Matthew McCoy, redshirt junior Samson Okunlola, and redshirt senior Ryan Rodriguez.
Giwa’s potential has been intriguing for several programs, but it can only be tapped with the right people surrounding him. The Hurricanes have caught the attention of several offensive linemen recruits, including five-star freshman Jackson Cantwell, who’s part of the 2026 class.
Sunday will be a pivotal moment for Giwa’s football career before it’s officially begun.
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