In a candid reflection on his first year as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, Mario Cristobal opened up about a key player he regrets not signing. Despite an aggressive recruiting push in his debut season, Cristobal missed out on an emerging star, whose impact could have changed the trajectory of the Hurricanes’ program early on.
Cristobal admitted that while Miami brought in plenty of talented prospects, one name still lingers in his mind: linebacker Harold Perkins, who ultimately committed to LSU. Perkins, a dynamic athlete with the ability to dominate on both sides of the ball, quickly made a name for himself in the SEC. His speed, versatility, and football IQ allowed him to become an instant contributor for the Tigers, leaving Miami fans wondering what could have been.
“I still think about him,” Cristobal said in a recent interview. “He’s a special talent, and we were really close. That one stung a bit. I knew he could have made a huge difference for us on the field.”
Perkins’ decision to sign with LSU wasn’t entirely surprising, given the intense competition for his commitment. However, Cristobal believes that had he been able to lock down the linebacker, Miami’s defense could have gained a key playmaker that would have strengthened the team’s foundation.
Reflecting on the recruiting process, Cristobal emphasized the importance of building relationships with recruits and their families. “It’s about more than just what they can do on the field,” he said. “You have to connect on a deeper level, and that’s something we’re continuing to focus on with our recruiting.”
While he can’t change the past, Cristobal is determined to avoid such misses in the future as he works to bring Miami back to the top of college football.
