Miami Lands a Major Commitment as Jaelen Waters Chooses the Hurricanes Over Florida Rivals
Jaelen Waters’ recruiting journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, and now, it’s taken yet another dramatic turn. The highly sought-after four-star cornerback from Seffner, Florida, has already pledged his allegiance to both Florida State and Florida in the past—but now, he’s decided to take his talents to Coral Gables and join the Miami Hurricanes.
So, what changed? What made Miami the final (for now) destination for one of the most elusive recruits in the 2026 class? The answer lies in the energy and vision of Mario Cristobal’s program, a connection with key coaches, and an atmosphere that felt just right.
A Practice That Changed Everything
Waters recently made an unofficial visit to Coral Gables, where he got an up-close look at Miami’s practice sessions. It wasn’t just a casual drop-in—this visit turned out to be the defining moment in his recruiting saga. Watching the Hurricanes in action, he saw something that clicked, something that made him feel like he truly belonged.
“I thought practice was good. I got to see [secondary coach] Will Harris in action. I felt really good about it,” Waters told InsideTheU. “I got to see both of them [cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge] in action, so I feel really good about how it’s looking in that uniform.”
And let’s be real—there’s something poetic about this decision. Will Harris, now Miami’s secondary coach, was previously on staff at Florida. His past connection with Waters likely played a massive role in flipping him toward the Hurricanes.
Harris himself wasted no time celebrating, taking to social media to drop a cryptic yet unmistakable post on X (formerly Twitter). Was it a subtle jab at the Gators? Perhaps. But one thing is clear: Miami just scored a major recruiting victory.
The Commitment Is In—But Is It Final?
While this is a huge win for Cristobal and his staff, let’s not pretend this recruitment saga is completely over. Waters has already switched commitments twice, proving that nothing is truly set in stone in the wild world of college football recruiting.
For now, though, the Hurricanes can celebrate their success in landing one of Florida’s top defensive prospects. According to 247Sports Composite Rankings, Waters is currently ranked as the No. 15 cornerback in the 2026 class and stands as Miami’s fifth commitment for the cycle.
The challenge now? Holding onto him until signing day. Given his track record, Miami’s coaching staff will have to fight tooth and nail to keep him locked in. But if they do, they’re securing a game-changing defensive weapon who could make an instant impact in Coral Gables.
One thing’s for sure—this recruitment story is far from over. Stay tuned, because in college football, nothing is ever final until the ink dries.
