Miami continues to work years ahead on the recruiting trail, and Mario Cristobal’s staff has added another talented Florida prospect to its board.
Niceville running back Jakobe Gilyard announced that he received a scholarship offer from Miami, which marked the 22nd offer of his recruitment. Rivals recruiting analyst Chad Simmons described Gilyard as a four-star prospect in the 2029 class following the Hurricanes’ offer. Gilyard announced his Miami offer on social media.
Gilyard already carries an impressive recruiting résumé despite three high school seasons remaining. Rivals lists the Niceville standout at 5-foot-10 and 171 pounds, while ESPN lists him at 5-10 and 175 pounds. Florida State, Auburn, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Florida and several other programs have extended offers during his recruitment.
His freshman production explains the attention.
According to Gilyard’s MaxPreps statistics, he rushed 223 times for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns across 11 games in 2025. He added 22 receptions for 350 yards and four scores, giving him 1,561 yards from scrimmage and 18 total touchdowns during his first varsity season. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and topped 100 rushing yards six times.
Gilyard also competed on Niceville’s 4×100-meter relay team during track season, another indicator of the athletic traits Miami could project into its offense. A USA Today Florida Network report listed the Niceville relay team among the qualifiers for the FHSAA state track meet. The report also highlighted Gilyard among Florida’s football recruits at the meet.
The sophomore opened the 2026 football calendar with another reminder of his potential. Gilyard scored twice as Niceville defeated Fort Walton Beach 28-7 in its Kickoff Classic. He broke the 100-yard rushing mark and scored on runs of 63 and 5 yards, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News. Gilyard’s two-touchdown performance helped Niceville control the preseason matchup.
Miami’s early move gives the Hurricanes time to build a relationship with one of the more productive young backs in Florida. Cristobal has consistently emphasized in-state recruiting, and Gilyard gives his staff another prospect to monitor through multiple developmental seasons.
Nothing close to a final decision appears imminent. Gilyard only recently started his sophomore season, and his offer list should continue expanding as college staffs evaluate the 2029 class.
Miami, however, now owns a place in that recruitment.
The Hurricanes entered before Gilyard reached the midpoint of his high school career, and another season resembling his freshman campaign could push his recruitment much further into the national spotlight.
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