‘CANES FOOTBALL GETS A FLIP FROM EDWARDS! The University of Miami Hurricanes football team has linebacker Justin Edwards flip his 2026 committ from Rutgers over to the “U!” Awesome!

In a sudden twist that has energized the University of Miami football program and reshaped the recruiting landscape for the 2026 cycle, 4-star linebacker Justin Edwards has officially flipped his commitment from Rutgers to the Miami Hurricanes. Edwards, one of the top defensive playmakers in the Northeast, announced his decision late Thursday night in a surprise social media post, complete with a photo of him in a Hurricanes uniform, throwing up the signature “U” hand sign against a blazing South Florida sunset backdrop.

For a Hurricanes staff that has been relentlessly pursuing high-end defensive talent across the country, this wasn’t just another addition—it was a statement. Edwards’ flip marks a critical moment in Miami’s 2026 recruiting efforts, as they not only landed one of the most productive linebackers in the country, but they did so by flipping him from a Power Five school where he had been firmly committed for months. This wasn’t just a win. It was a power move.

Edwards, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker from Camden, New Jersey, had long been considered a foundational piece for Rutgers’ 2026 recruiting class. He committed to the Scarlet Knights in early March after a series of impressive unofficial visits and a close relationship with head coach Greg Schiano’s defensive staff. But Miami never backed off. From the minute he blew up as a junior—with 112 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles—he became a top-of-the-board priority for the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and linebackers coach Derek Nicholson.

Miami’s pitch was consistent, personal, and relentless. They told Edwards he wasn’t just a fit—he was the fit. That he wasn’t a piece of their puzzle—he was the centerpiece. And over the past two months, that message began to resonate.

“I had a lot of love for Rutgers, and I still do. That’s home in a lot of ways,” Edwards said in an exclusive interview. “But when I started really thinking about my development, my future, the energy at Miami, the tradition, the competition—I just couldn’t ignore it. It felt right.”

Edwards made a quiet unofficial visit to Coral Gables earlier this month, slipping into town under the radar for a 48-hour trip that included meetings with the coaching staff, sit-downs with Miami’s strength and conditioning program, and time with current players. According to sources close to the program, it was during that visit that the momentum fully shifted. Edwards saw the vision. He saw himself on Greentree Practice Fields, in the middle of a fast, physical defense that wants to attack from the second level. He saw a coaching staff that believes in him not just as a recruit, but as a future leader. And he saw a culture built on edge, accountability, and swagger—one he wanted to be part of.

Now, he’s in.

The flip comes at a critical juncture for Miami, which has been working to add muscle to the linebacker corps after a wave of departures following the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The Hurricanes have long been known for producing elite linebackers—names like Dan Morgan, Jonathan Vilma, Denzel Perryman, and Ray Lewis cast a long shadow. But in recent years, the position has seen inconsistency and injury concerns. The addition of Edwards injects high-end talent and production into that room.

What makes Justin Edwards so coveted is the way he combines old-school toughness with modern athletic versatility. He’s a downhill thumper with violent hands, able to shed blocks and fill gaps against the run, but he’s also agile enough to drop into coverage and mirror tight ends and backs in space. His football IQ is well-regarded; he diagnoses plays quickly and reacts decisively. On film, he plays with urgency and discipline, rarely out of position, and always around the ball.

More than that, he’s a tone-setter. Coaches rave about his practice habits, vocal leadership, and ability to elevate those around him. He’s the kind of player who raises the floor and the ceiling of a defense.

“He’s the alpha,” said one opposing high school coach. “When you game-plan for Camden, you have to figure out how to deal with 7. He’s everywhere. And if you think you’re going to catch him off-guard or confuse him, you’re wasting your time. He sees it before it happens.”

For Miami’s coaching staff, Edwards fills a critical need—and does so with upside to be an immediate contributor. While most freshmen linebackers take time to adjust to the college game’s speed and complexity, multiple members of Miami’s recruiting and player personnel staff believe Edwards could play right away, particularly on early downs and special teams. His frame, strength, and mental approach make him a rare “college-ready” linebacker at this stage.

Edwards’ flip is also symbolic of a larger trend. Miami is reestablishing its national footprint in recruiting, especially in defensive circles. In the past two cycles, the Hurricanes have landed top defensive players from Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and now the Northeast. This isn’t a program content to rely solely on local talent. Cristobal’s staff has been aggressive in identifying and landing players from coast to coast who fit their brand of physical, fast, fearless football.

And make no mistake—this was a hard-fought win. Rutgers made a late push to keep Edwards in the fold, hoping that familiarity, proximity, and early loyalty would hold. But in the end, the opportunity to develop in an SEC-caliber environment with NFL coaching, top-end facilities, and a clear path to high-level competition proved too much to pass up.

“I wanted to challenge myself,” Edwards said. “When I sat down with Coach Cristobal and Coach Guidry, they didn’t sugarcoat anything. They told me exactly what they expect and what I need to do. And I respect that. They believe in me, but they’re going to push me. That’s what I want.”

The commitment also adds momentum to what is shaping up to be one of Miami’s most complete recruiting classes in recent years. Edwards joins fellow defensive standout Asharri “Bam” Charles, the top-rated edge rusher out of Louisiana, and four-star safety Jamari Black from IMG Academy as part of a defensive core that has the potential to form the backbone of Miami’s unit into the next decade. With all three players projected as multi-year starters, the Hurricanes are assembling not just talent—but cohesion.

Recruiting insiders say the move could be a domino effect in the linebacker market. Several other top-150 linebackers, including prospects from Georgia and Texas, have listed Miami in their final groups. The presence of a top-10 linebacker like Edwards could help nudge others toward Coral Gables.

This commitment also sends a clear signal to the ACC and beyond: Miami is not just a program that talks about competing—it’s a program that recruits like it means it. That level of intent is beginning to show up on the board. As of this week, Miami’s 2026 class ranks No. 5 nationally according to 247Sports and is expected to continue rising.

For Cristobal, it’s another affirmation that the foundation he’s building is resonating with elite prospects. His blueprint—focusing on the trenches, rebuilding linebacker play, demanding accountability—is translating into real momentum on the recruiting trail.

Edwards plans to return to Miami for his official visit in the fall, where he’ll take in a primetime home game and spend more time with the team’s current linebackers. But make no mistake—he’s locked in.

“I’m a Cane,” he said. “This is where I want to be. This is where I belong.”

Asked what he wants to bring to the program, Edwards didn’t hesitate.

“Intensity. Leadership. Wins,” he said. “I’m coming to be part of something big. This isn’t just about me flipping schools. This is about flipping the narrative. Miami’s coming. And I want to be on the front line of that.”

It’s the kind of mindset that Hurricanes fans have been waiting for. And with Justin Edwards now in the fold, the defense just got a whole lot meaner, faster, and more focused.

For Miami, it’s not just a flip—it’s a signal flare.

The U is recruiting like a contender again. And if players like Justin Edwards are the standard, the rest of college football would be wise to pay attention.