Some players that UM is targeting in football, hoops portal. Where things stand with NIL

The Miami Hurricanes football and basketball teams haven’t yet added a player from the new wave of entrants into the transfer portal, but both programs remain in play for several targets.

The quiet recent stretch for UM’s two biggest revenue programs, particularly men’s basketball, has raised questions about whether Miami has enough money to outbid other programs in this NIL era, when players can be compensated for their name, image and likeness.

UM sources insist that donors have contributed enough to supplement John Ruiz’s contributions and make competitive offers for players.

Cane Connection, a UM collective that launched last August, has received donations from several wealthy donors, all of whom have expressed a desire to not be identified publicly.

UM and athletic director Dan Radakovich have taken a more active role promoting the collective after the Florida legislature passed a law, in February, that allows schools to help administer their collectives.

UM benefactor John Ruiz has said he remains active and involved in NIL deals amid recent news involving his companies.

But whether Canes donors have the appetite to outbid other schools for the most coveted players, at least during this football and basketball cycle, remains a question.

UM landed eight players in the transfer portal earlier this offseason, and the collective was involved in striking deals with several of them, including former Alabama left guard Javion Cohen and ex-UCF center Matt Lee, according to Ruiz’s LifeWallet. Some of the collective funds have come from Ruiz and LifeWallet.

According to sources, UM has interest in Gators and former Miami Columbus High receiver Xzavier Henderson, a fourth-year junior who announced last week that he’s entering the portal. Whether Henderson has interest in UM — or the extent of that interest — is unclear.

Henderson had been expected to start at boundary receiver for the Gators in 2023. Head coach Mario Cristobal said previously that UM is seeking two boundary receivers in the portal.

Henderson played 35 games for the Gators, made 14 starts and contributed 73 receptions for 835 yards and five touchdowns through three seasons. He had 38 receptions for 410 yards and two touchdowns last season.

UM also continues to pursue California University of Pennsylvania receiver JaQuae Jackson, who visited the Hurricanes’ campus recently. Jackson, 6-3, had 77 receptions for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Other players who have drawn UM’s interest in the portal including Wyoming guard Emmanuel Pregnon (who has attracted considerable interest nationally) and Louisiana Monroe defensive end Anthony Campbell, who had modest statistics last season (13 tackles) but has a bunch of offers, including from Auburn and Mississippi State.

Per 247 Sports, Miami is interested in Mississippi defensive lineman Tywone Malone, a 6-foot-4, 315-pounder who can play end or tackle. Miami needs a player with his girth and skill set.

And per InsideTheU, there’s mutual interest between the Canes and Jaden Davis, the former four-star cornerback for Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas who hit the portal this week after four years at Oklahoma. He started parts of three seasons, starting 23 games in all, and has one career interception.

The Hurricanes have also expressed interest in Cristobal’s nephew, Luis Cristobal Jr., a Georgia State offensive lineman and son of Cristobal’s older brother Luis, a former UM national champion lineman.

Luis “Lou” Cristobal, a Columbus High alum, announced he was entering the transfer portal April 14. He has two remaining seasons of eligibility.

Cristobal, listed at 6-0 and 274 pounds, played in eight games this past season at guard, with five starts. He sat out the last three games with an injury. Georgia State was ranked 14th nationally of 130 FBS teams in rushing, averaging 213.5 yards a game.

Cristobal, a member of the 2019 recruiting class, played in two games his 2019 redshirt season, three games in 2020 and the 10 final games of 2021. He was a two-time All-State selection in Class 8A, including first-team honors as a senior.

It appears that UM is no longer a serious contender for Southern Cal receiver Gary Bryant, who visited Miami’s campus earlier this offseason.

A second window for football players to enter the portal began April 15 and closes Saturday. Players can sign with new schools at any time in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the men’s basketball team continues to search for a power forward and guard in the portal.

The Canes are a finalist (with Missouri and Auburn) for FSU guard Matthew Cleveland, who averaged 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds and shot 35.0 percent on threes for the Seminoles last season.

UM, Virginia and Virginia Tech are finalists for Northwestern transfer Robbie Beran, a 6-9 Richmond, Va. native, who visited UM recently. He’s a skilled defender and averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 34 games, all starts, last season.

In four seasons at Northwestern, Beran has 36.1 percent on three-pointers (109 for 302).

THIS AND THAT

▪ After a flurry of recent commitments, UM’s nonbinding seven-player 2024 recruiting class is 23rd in 247’s rankings, 25th in on3’s rankings and 23rd in Rivals’ ranking.

None of UM’s seven 2024 nonbinding football commitments are top 100 prospects. St. Thomas Aquinas receiver Chance Robinson (rated 134th by On3.com) is the highest rated of the group.

▪ Because departing UM guard Isaiah Wong previously entered his name in the NBA Draft and withdrew both times, he is not permitted to do it a third time. Beyond that, he has signed with longtime NBA agent Bill Duffy, so he’s not allowed to change his mind and return to college.

ESPN has Wong ranked in the 70s of draft eligible prospects; the NBA Draft has 60 picks.

UM coach Jim Larranaga said Wong — a shooting guard — will need to show that he can play point guard as well “with the right team” and be able to defend both those positions.

“I think he’ll be able to do that,” Larranaga said.

As for his backcourt situation, Larranaga said: “I think we’ve got a very good backcourt, normally play a three-guard offense, so we have Nijel Pack, Bensley Joseph, Wooga Poplar. We will have to add a guy to that group because we want not only a great starting lineup but rotation, and the same thing in the front court.”