Miami Hurricanes cornerback Stevenson turns pro. And UM welcomes recruits to campus

Miami Hurricanes cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on Friday became the 16th Canes player with remaining eligibility to leave the program.

But unlike the previous 15, Stevenson is turning pro.

The Senior Bowl announced that Stevenson has accepted an invitation to play in its annual game on Feb. 4 in Mobile, Alabama.

Stevenson transferred to UM from Georgia after the 2020 season and produced 68 tackles, three interceptions and 11 passes defended in 22 games as a Hurricane. He was a fourth-year junior this past season.

His decision to turn pro isn’t surprising, though Stevenson said in his Canesport.com blog recently that it was 50-50 whether he would return to UM.

With Stevenson departing and DJ Ivey having used up his college eligibility, UM is losing the two cornerbacks who played the most in 2022.

Senior tight end Will Mallory accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl earlier this week.

Stevenson’s departure raises the number of departing Hurricanes to 24 and counting.

Defensive end Mitchell Agude, punter Lou Hedley, Ivey, linebacker Caleb Johnson, Mallory, defensive tackle Antonio Moultrie, offensive tackle DJ Scaife and linebacker Waynmon Steed have used up their eligibility.

Fifteen have announced plans to enter the transfer portal: defensive linemen Darrell Jackson (who’s transferring to FSU to be closer to his ailing mother), Allan Haye, Jordan Miller and Elijah Roberts; defensive backs Avantae Williams, Al Blades Jr., Gilbert Frierson, Brian Balom, Jalen Harrell, Keshawn Washington and Isaiah Dunson; running backs Jaylan Knighton and Thad Franklin and receivers Keyshawn Smith and Romello Brinson.

More departures are expected.

RECRUITING VISITS

Fort Lauderdale Dillard running back Christopher Johnson Jr. is scheduled to visit UM this weekend, and he told Canesport that UM and Mississippi are his finalists. He plans to announce his choice on Sunday, and UM is considered the favorite.

There are no running backs among UM’s 22 nonbinding commitments its 2023 recruiting class. The Hurricanes have three running backs on scholarship: Don Chaney Jr., TreVonte’ Citizen and Henry Parrish.

High school players can sign with schools as early as Dec. 21.

247 Sports rates the 5-11 Johnson as a three-star prospect and lists him as the 24th best running back in this recruiting cycle.

Rivals rates him a four-star running back and the 15th best running back in this 2023 class.

▪ Washington State linebacker Francisco Mauigoa also will visit UM this weekend, per Canesport.

Mauigoa, who entered the transfer portal in recent days, had 60 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown for the Cougars this past season.

The 6-3, 219-pound linebacker had 17 tackles as a Cougars freshman in 2021. His brother, IMG Academy offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, is a UM commitment and considered among the nation’s best offensive line prospects.

UM this weekend also is hosting Oregon transfer/receiver/returner Seven McGee, a former four-star prospect who has 18 catches for 151 yards in 15 games over two seasons for the Ducks. He also returned 11 kickoffs for 182 yards and 2 punts for 19 yards.

It’s unclear if UM will offer him a scholarship.

▪ UM has made offers to a bunch of players in the portal.

Besides the Washington State linebacker Mauigoa, that group - according to 247 Sports - includes Alabama starting guard Javion Cohen (who has announced he will visit UM), Mississippi State wide receiver Rara Thomas, Southeastern Louisiana FCS All American cornerback Zy Alexander, Dartmouth edge player Shane Coakes, Georgia State defensive lineman Thomas Gore and a bunch of others.