:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67054193/Recruiting_Radar_COVER.0.jpg)
Manny Diaz and his staff keep on trucking along when it comes to recruiting, as Miami made the cut for a west coast prospect on Monday. 3-star offensive guard Ross Maseuli out of powerhouse Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif) included the Hurricanes in his top-5 schools.
Top 5, please respect my decisions, and like I say, All Glory To God!! Grandma watching over me, hope your proud, Miss you!! #AG2G @AlabamaFTBL @USCCoachHelton @GarinJustice @vscwintoday @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/oRP0yxdEvm
— Ross Maseuli (@RossMaseuli) July 13, 2020
The other schools included in Maseuli’s top-5 were Alabama, USC, Michigan and Hawaii.
247 Sports has Maseuli ranked as the 65th guard in 2021, and 130th overall 2021 player in the state of California.
Maseuli was offered by Miami back in late March, and has noted he’s rooted for the Canes ever since he was a kid. He told 247 Sports that he planned on visiting Miami back during spring, but had to cancel.
OG Ross Maseuli 6'3" 340 is a powerhouse of an OL now playing for Santa Anna Mater Dei HS. terrific run blocker who shows good use of hands and can dominate the point of attack.@RossMaseuli Athletic, tough, and aggressive. Big-time pic.twitter.com/i9KAlkQbSO
— Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) March 27, 2020
What I like about Maseuli is that he can play both ways, either on the offensive line or at the nose tackle position, though Miami is looking at him primarily for the OL. Size wise, he’s an absolute monster of a player, standing at 6”2 and weighing 350 pounds, with incredible strength that hasn’t been seen on the UM OL in quite some time.
Recovery after a spin move at the Polynesian bowl national combine. @polynesiabowl #AG2G pic.twitter.com/4zYkhgH4C8
— Ross Maseuli (@RossMaseuli) April 2, 2019
Though he sat out his junior season after transferring schools, Maseuli still was able to land an invitation to the 2021 Polynesian Bowl, and is considered one of the top offensive lineman in Southern California.
In February, Maseuli attended the Under Armour All-America Camp, alongside fellow Miami target, 4-star quarterback Jake Garcia, who’s another Orange County prospect. Go to 1:30 in the clip below, pretty impressive work by Maseuli.
Maseuli transferred to Mater Dei for his senior season, a legendary high school program. New o-line coach for Miami, Garin Justice, visited Mater Dei back in the spring.
Extremely blessed to announce that I’m gonna be in the Polynesian bowl in Hawaii!!! #AG2G #SAMOAN #Hawaii https://t.co/nVDXmHmu4E
— Ross Maseuli (@RossMaseuli) June 16, 2020
Miami already has a solid group of o-lineman already committed in the 2021 class, 3-star center Ryan Rodriguez, 4-star tackle Michael McLaughlin, and 4-star guard Laurence Seymore. They also added Issiah Walker via the transfer portal.
It’s hard to say right now if Miami will make a hard push for Maseuli, but he’s definitely an intriguing prospect. As a west coast guy myself, I'm all for bringing in Maseuli, kid is strong as an ox, and solid in the run blocking game. Throw in some nastiness in the trenches, and you have a pretty good offensive lineman.