Mario Cristobal bolsters a top-three national class by luring explosive playmaker Eli Woodard from the West Coast, adding a dynamic vertical threat to the Miami Hurricanes' future offense.
MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of fall camp, the Miami Hurricanes’ 2027 recruiting class was already among the nation’s best. The program has several five-stars and top-100 prospects across multiple sites. However, the talent continues to stack after the latest addition to the group.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that four-star wide receiver Eli Woodard committed to “The U.” He chose the Hurricanes over the California Golden Bears and UCLA Bruins. Woodard is a California native who currently attends Chaparral High School, a public institution located in Riverside County. As a junior, he caught 51 passes for 1,070 yards, scoring 19 total touchdowns in 12 games, according to MaxPreps.
Woodard is listed at 5-11, 180 pounds, and ranked 156th nationally, 23rd among wide receivers, and 16th in the state of California for the 2027 class, according to Rivals Industry Rankings. He received scholarship offers from the Oregon Ducks, Missouri Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, Purdue Boilermakers, Cincinnati Bearcats, Arizona State Sun Devils, and BYU Cougars.
Along with several in-state programs.
Woodard originally committed to the USC Trojans on Feb. 10, but wound up cutting ties a couple of months later to take on official visits, including with the Hurricanes on May 29. He was joined by several UM commits, including Donte Wright, Israel Abrams, Nick Lennear, and Jaiden Bryant, among others. He followed with official visits at Cal and UCLA, but “The U” wins the race.
The Hurricanes are up to 20 commits, including two top-30 California prospects, and the group is ranked third nationally on 247Sports Composite and On3. Coach Mario Cristobal and the staff continue to secure a brighter future by putting together one of the best recruiting classes in recent program history.
Coming off a National Championship appearance – the first since 2003 – the Hurricanes have attracted and successfully secured several high-caliber recruits. The next step for Woodward would be to shut down recruitment, same as everyone else in the group.
High school recruiting is a top priority within the program, UM Football Executive Dennis Smith mentioned on the Next Up Podcast with Adam Breneman. This incoming class is a testament to what he and Cristobal are building.
Woodard will develop directly under wide receivers coach Kevin Beard. He’s worked alongside remarkable talent, such as Xavier Restrepo and currently rising star Malachi Toney. It’s an exciting resume for any recruit to look at.
After years of mediocrity, football in Coral Gables is trending upward.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
