Miami Gains 2026 Linebacker Flip from Rutgers

Justin Edwards, a highly regarded three-star linebacker from Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida, has flipped his commitment from Rutgers to the Miami Hurricanes for the 2026 recruiting class. Edwards originally committed to Rutgers in early June but changed his decision following an official visit to Miami, citing the environment, culture, and proximity to home as key factors. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, Edwards is praised for his athleticism, including a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and versatility in coverage and run defense, with impressive junior season stats including 52 tackles and 10 sacks. His commitment strengthens Miami's linebacker room alongside four-star recruit Jordan Campbell and contributes to the Hurricanes' top-ten nationally ranked 2026 recruiting class, which now has 14 commitments. Rutgers, under head coach Greg Schiano, has seen a setback in linebacker recruiting with Edwards' flip and another recent decommitment, but continues to build its defense with other linebacker prospects. Miami’s defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman played a pivotal role in recruiting Edwards, having previously coached a Rutgers transfer, further solidifying the Hurricanes' defensive recruiting momentum.