Miami’s 2026 recruiting cycle under Mario Cristobal is on fire. The Hurricanes are stacking up commitments like it’s a summer BBQ—everyone wants a seat at the table. The class is loaded with talent. Quarterback Dereon Coleman, fresh off an Elite 11 Finals appearance, is locked in. Linebacker Jordan Campbell, a Miami local, is another cornerstone. The Canes are maintaining a top-10 national ranking and are atop the ACC for 2026. But it wasn’t quite as rosy as it appears, as a two-sport prospect who’d been on the radar at Miami slipped away from them. It hurt.

Canes Insider, Alex Donno, says, “Jason Lopez ended up picking the Florida State Seminoles.” Jason Lopez, who tallied 87 receptions for 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns in the previous season, in addition to averaging 25 points on the court per game, opted that the Garnet and Gold was good for him. But hey, it’s not all bad news for the Hurricanes. Just as the bitterness of losing Lopez was sinking in, Miami fans had a reason to smile: the signing of wide receiver Vance Spafford, who defected from Georgia.

Spafford, a California state champ, has amassed over 2,593 yards and 36 touchdowns in two years, and now he ranks as Miami’s second-highest-rated commit for 2026, right behind five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell. Alex Donno breaks down Lopez’s not-so-great loss in a concrete way. “Miami was still trending there for Lopez, who just had his official visit to Miami this past week, and then, you know, a day later, Vance Stafford commits to Miami,” Alex says on the Locked on Cannes channel. “It seems like the Stafford commitment was part of what has nudged Lopez in a different direction. I do believe that Florida State used that when Spafford picked Miami; Florida State used that to entice Lopez to Florida State.” 

It’s about opportunity, perception, and timing. When Vance Spafford, another elite wide receiver, committed to Miami, it sent ripples through the recruiting world. Lopez and his camp were watching Miami’s moves closely. They were aware that the Canes preferred both him and Spafford, but when Spafford signed up, it provided Florida State with an ideal pitch. FSU had been on Lopez for both sports from the beginning, expressing affection on the basketball side sooner and harder than Miami did. While Miami ultimately provided Lopez an opportunity on both squads, FSU had already established that relationship, making Lopez feel like he was truly a priority. Vance Spafford’s timing in committing provided FSU with the window it so desperately needed.

But Alex wasn’t that concerned; actually, he states, “I’m more than happy landing Vance Spafford. I think Miami probably did slightly better there. Spafford, as we’ve discussed this week, is lightning quick, one of the most elite receivers in the country.” He continues, “A lot of folks down here will say you got to prioritize the local players, but honestly, you got to prioritize the best possible players.”

Now, Jason Lopez is a good pickup, don’t get us wrong. Yeah, there’s always pressure to sign the local boys, but when you have a chance at Spafford’s elite route running and lightning-fast feet that make him a fit made in heaven for Miami’s offense with a blue-chip quarterback like Dereon Coleman already on board. Vance Spafford isn’t just “good for California” or “good for his district”—he’s a national-level talent.

He helped lead Mission Viejo to a California state title as a sophomore. That’s not just production; that’s game-changing ability. Spafford is ranked as ESPN’s No. 14 wide receiver in the 2026 class and is Miami’s second-highest-rated commit, trailing only five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell. He’s the first 2026 wide receiver commitment from Miami and picked the Canes over heavy hitters Georgia, Washington, and USC after a lengthy pursuit before flipping his commitment. Folks like to “lock up the 305,” but the reality is, you win championships by building up top players—wherever they may hail from. So, Lopez’s commitment is fine, but Spafford’s is the one that shifts the conversation.

How Miami won the Vance Spafford sweepstakes

For months, Vance Spafford was the gem of Georgia’s 2026 class, committing to the Bulldogs in November 2024. But Spafford did not eliminate any possibilities, taking official visits to blue-blood programs like Washington, UCLA, and, most importantly, Miami. The recruiting department at Miami, led by Mario Cristobal, never relinquished the pursuit. They were aware of Spafford’s uncommon combination of speed, route-running ability, and production. The Hurricanes’ recruitment pitch was straightforward but potent: be the headliner playmaker in an electric offense, be part of a No. 10 recruiting class, and receive passes from four-star quarterback Dereon Coleman, who had just dazzled at the Elite 11 Finals.

Meanwhile, Vance Spafford’s visits gave him a front-row seat to Miami’s culture and the momentum building under Cristobal. The Hurricanes’ recent 10-3 season and their aggressive push on the recruiting trail showed Spafford that Miami was serious about returning to national prominence. The Canes’ ability to attract top talent across the board—including five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantrell—helped seal the deal. In the end, Spafford reversed his pledge to Miami, providing the Hurricanes with their initial wide receiver commitment in the 2026 class and a huge recruiting win over Georgia and other national programs.