CHARLES COMMITS TO THE “U!” The University of Miami Hurricanes football team received a 2026 commit from edge defender Asharri “Bam” Charles

The Miami Hurricanes have struck early and boldly in the 2026 recruiting cycle, landing a verbal commitment from one of the Sunshine State’s most disruptive young defenders: Asharri “Bam” Charles, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound edge rusher out of Pahokee High School.

Charles, widely known by his nickname “Bam,” announced his commitment via social media on Monday afternoon with a simple but emphatic statement:
“Committed to the U. Let’s build something special in Coral Gables.”

With this decision, the Hurricanes secure one of the top pass-rushing prospects in the junior class — a player who has already made waves in 7-on-7 circuits, spring workouts, and national recruiting boards. Charles becomes Miami’s first public commitment in the 2026 cycle and gives head coach Mario Cristobal an explosive foundation piece to build around on the defensive side.

Asharri Charles has earned his “Bam” moniker for a reason: he plays with violent intent.

Despite being just a rising junior, Charles is already a dominant force at the high school level. As a sophomore, he registered 78 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles, routinely terrorizing opposing quarterbacks with his burst off the edge. He combines a twitchy first step with heavy hands, strong leverage, and a motor that never quits.

“He’s the kind of kid who doesn’t just play fast — he plays angry,” said Pahokee defensive coordinator Marcus Gaines. “When he gets off the ball, there’s very little a high school offensive tackle can do to slow him down. He has SEC-level traits already.”

Charles is expected to be a top-150 player nationally in the next wave of updated recruiting rankings, and some analysts believe he’ll ascend even higher once the camp circuit heats up this fall. His combination of size, speed, and tenacity is exactly what power-five programs covet in modern edge defenders.

The Hurricanes have prioritized defensive line talent under Cristobal, and Charles is the latest example of that focus bearing fruit. He chose Miami over early interest from Florida State, Georgia, Auburn, and Texas A&M. While he didn’t rush his process, Charles said the family atmosphere in Coral Gables and the staff’s vision for his development stood out.

“Coach Cristobal keeps it real,” Charles said. “He and Coach Taylor made me feel like a top priority. They told me how I could fit, how they’d develop me, and they showed love every time I visited.”

Coach Jason Taylor, the Hall of Famer and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year who now leads Miami’s defensive ends room, was central to Charles’ recruitment. Sources say Taylor and Charles formed a strong bond, built around shared values of toughness, technique, and preparation.

“It means a lot to be coached by someone who played the game at the highest level,” Charles added. “He knows what it takes. He’s not just selling you on hype — he’s building you for the league.”

Charles fits perfectly into the defensive identity Miami is building under Cristobal and defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. The Hurricanes have leaned into multiple fronts, often featuring hybrid edge rushers in wide-9 alignments or standing up off the line to maximize pressure.

Charles has the versatility to play either as a traditional hand-in-the-dirt defensive end or as a stand-up edge outside linebacker. His fluid movement and ability to cover short zones give him scheme flexibility that’s becoming more valuable in modern defensive football.

More importantly, Charles brings an edge mentality — the kind of fierce, aggressive presence that Miami’s legendary defenses of the past were known for.

“He brings the heat every play,” said recruiting analyst Charles Power. “You love how he finishes, how he bends around tackles, and how relentless he is from whistle to whistle. He’s not just a high school standout — he’s a culture guy.”

Landing Charles also reasserts Miami’s dominance in the ever-critical South Florida recruiting pipeline. Pahokee — a school steeped in football history — has produced NFL legends like Anquan Boldin and Rickey Jackson, and its proximity to Coral Gables makes it a key target area for the Hurricanes’ staff.

In recent years, Miami has battled national powers like Alabama and Georgia for talent in the region. Charles’ early pledge is both a statement and a signal to others in the 561 and 305 areas that the Canes are again locking down the backyard.

“I wanted to stay home and represent my state,” Charles said. “There’s something special about building with guys from the crib.”

His commitment is already reverberating throughout South Florida, with fellow elite 2026 recruits like WR Malik Simmons, LB Javonte Tillman, and DB Kenyon White — all from the region — noting that Charles’ choice caught their attention.

Though Charles is only entering his junior year, his recruitment will still draw attention over the next 18 months. He is expected to participate in national showcase events like Under Armour Future 50 and The Opening Regionals, where scouts from every major conference will continue to evaluate him.

Miami’s challenge now is to hold off national poachers. Programs like LSU, Oregon, and Texas have expressed early interest, and the Hurricanes will have to fend off push-after-push to keep Charles committed through signing day in December 2025.

Fortunately for Miami fans, Charles sounds locked in.

“I’m about loyalty,” he said. “I believe in what Coach Cristobal is building, and I want to be part of the wave — not someone who watches from the outside.”

He also intends to recruit for the class, already teasing fans with mentions of other top 2026 players in group chats and Instagram lives.

“I’m trying to bring dogs with me,” he said. “This is just the start.”

Charles’ commitment gives Miami early juice in the 2026 class and sets the tone for what Cristobal and his staff hope will be a top-5 national haul. The Hurricanes’ 2025 class is already tracking inside the top 10 nationally, and with back-to-back years of aggressive defensive recruiting, the foundation is being laid for sustained success.

Cristobal has made no secret of his emphasis on dominating the line of scrimmage — and Charles is another major building block in that plan. His presence in the class provides star power, positional importance, and leadership potential.

Asharri “Bam” Charles may only be entering his junior year of high school, but he’s already playing — and thinking — like a future college star. His commitment to Miami sends a message: The Canes are serious about building a defensive identity that echoes their glory days, and they’re doing it with in-state talent that doesn’t shy away from big expectations.

Charles brings the juice, the fire, and the mindset of a tone-setter. And with nearly two years to go before he even steps on campus, that’s both exciting and terrifying — for opponents, that is.

Welcome to the U, Bam.