Jordan Lyle explains why he chose Miami Hurricanes 11 over St Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas running back Jordan Lyle holds a U surrounded by family and coaches during signing day, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale.
Lyle attends the University of Miami. St. Thomas Aquinas running back Jordan Lyle holds the Florida St. in Fort Lauderdale on signing day.
Thomas Aquinas High School on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the top of the U, surrounded by family and coaches.
Lyle attends the University of Miami. D.A. VARELA dvarela@miamiherald.com Jordan Lyle has been committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes for almost seven months.
But as the early signing period approached, the Miami Hurricanes continued their pursuit of one of the best quarterbacks of this cycle, playing St. Louis of Fort Lauderdale in his backyard. In Thomas Aquinas. It worked.
Lyle switched his commitment from Ohio State to Miami on Monday and made the move official when he signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday morning. “It’s very exciting to be home,” Lyle said Wednesday at a small ceremony at St. Thomas Aquinas. “Growing up, it’s everyone’s dream to represent their city.
I’m just happy to be able to do it.” St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker Jordan Lyle smiles after signing a national letter of intent with the Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker Jordan Lyle smiles after signing a National Draft contract with the Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.
Jordan McPherson jmcpherson@miamiherald.com Lyle finished his senior season with 1,376 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in helping St. Thomas Aquinas to win its record fifth straight state championship.
This is the second straight season the Hurricanes have turned down a head coaching commitment at Ohio State.
Last year they did the same with Mark Fletcher who starred in Plantation American Heritage.
And the Hurricanes were generally able to keep local runners at home.
In addition to Fletcher, Miami’s guard room last season included Belen Jesuit’s Don Chaney (who went undrafted out of high school but transferred to Louisville after that season), Columbus’ Henry Parrish (who transferred to UM after starting his career at Ole Miss) and that from Dillard’s. Chris Johnson (who signed in last from high school).
Chris Wheatley-Humphrey of Hollywood South Broward also signed that class.
“It was the next big running back at the University of Miami, so that was my dream growing up,” Lyle said.
“As long as I can do that and keep the promises I made to my coaches and parents, I feel like that will make me happy.” Lyle was one of 11 St.
Thomas Aquinas football players to sign their national letters of intent on Wednesday, including one of four who signed with the Hurricanes.
The other three are headed to UM: four-star wide receiver Chance Robinson, three-star safety Ryan Mack and three-star cornerback Romanas Frederique Jr. Robinson was the first South Florida native to commit to the Hurricanes’ 2024 recruiting class in April and remained in Miami after a late push from Ohio State. He was the Raiders’ No. 2 receiver this season, catching 36 passes for 513 yards and 11 touchdowns while playing in a smooth, consistent offense.
Mack, who committed to UM in late June, had three interceptions and nine pass breakups in addition to 45 tackles during his senior season.
He is the son of former Hurricanes ruckman Roderick Mack. And Frederique, who transferred from UM’s original verbal commitment to West Virginia in late June, broke up 10 passes and finished with 28 tackles this season. “We’re trying to start a pipeline: STA to U,” Frederique said.
Robinson added, “It’s a winning program [St. Thomas Aquinas] and that’s what we’re bringing in. Bringing in elite talent means a lot and turns it around.
” St. Thomas Aquinas senior James Madison II reacts with his mother Mia Madison after signing his official contract with the University of Missouri at St.
Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Wednesday, December 20, 2023. St. Thomas Aquinas. valedictorian James Madison II reacts with his mother Mia Madison after signing an official contract with the University of Missouri, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, St. at Thomas Aquinas High School on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. D.A.
Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com James Madison returns home During four St. Thomas Aquinas players are staying home to play for the Hurricanes, one is on the way home.
Four-star tight end James Madison II, who spent the last three seasons at St. Thomas Aquinas, after growing up in the Kansas City area, is returning to where it all began after signing with the Missouri Tigers.
“It’s a really big deal that I was born and raised there,” Madison said. “I feel like I let Kansas City be there, I grew up there and played little league there … . It seems to me that the circle is full.
Madison lived with her aunt and uncle in Broward during her high school career, which began as a freshman at TRU Prep before transferring to St. Thomas Aquinas as a sophomore.
He made his mark over the past two seasons, catching 66 passes for 1,044 yards and 16 touchdowns. And he won’t be going to Missouri alone.
Two of his St. Thomas Aquinas teammates — linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez and defensive lineman Justin Boford — also signed with Missouri.
St. Thomas Aquinas football commits to react to signing day at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. at Thomas Aquinas High School on Wednesday, December 20, 2023
. St. Thomas Aquinas football commit to respond to signing day at St. at Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com Where do the other signatories of Thomas Aquinas go
▪ Stacy Gage, a three-star running back, committed to UCF.
▪ Purdue signs three-star cornerback Earl Kulp.
▪ Pittsburgh signed three-star safety Allen Bryant.
▪ Michael Kern, a punter, joined
Texas
