Miami football lands 4-star CB Jaelen Waters after he was previously Florida-bound
Following a visit to Coral Gables for spring football, four-star cornerback Jaelen Waters committed to Miami on Friday. Waters decommitted from Florida on Feb. 15. Miami is now 19th in the 247Sports Composite 2026 team rankings following the commitment from Waters.
Waters is the No. 150 prospect, No. 15 CB and No. 22 player in Florida in the 2026 class out of Seffner, Armwood. Miami 2025 signees, four-star prospects, running back Girard Pringle Jr. and linebacker Kellen Wiley, are also from Armwood. The commitment from Waters is the first for new Miami secondary coaches Zac Ethridge and Will Harris.
Miami beat out about two dozen other power conference programs for the commitment from Waters. Waters told Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U that he felt really good about seeing Etheridge and Harris during practice on Friday and how it’s looking in that uniform. Waters is the second CB committed to Miami in 2026 after Camdin Portis.
At 6-2 and 185 pounds, Waters provides Miami with another CB who has excellent length. Through the 2025 transfer portal and in the incoming freshman class, Miami has added multiple CBs who are 6-0 or above. Improving the secondary has been a priority for Mario Cristobal and his staff since the end of the 2024 season.
BREAKING: Four-Star CB Jaelen Waters has Committed to Miami, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’2 180 CB from Seffner, FL was previously Committed to Florida & Florida State
“It’s been a long process but I know where I’m supposed to be.”https://t.co/yqO6eDeb20 pic.twitter.com/5nTGLB4Kca
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 7, 2025
4-star CB Jaelen Waters has committed to Miami and Mario Cristobal
In addition to being previously committed to Florida, Waters was committed to Florida State from April 23 through May 30, 2024. Waters initially committed to Florida on June 15, 2024. With nine months remaining to signing day and the previous two decommitments, Waters will be a commit to watch in the 2026 Miami class.
CaneSport reported that Cristobal and new Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman each made individual trips to visit Waters during the January contact period. Hetherman was hired by Miami on Jan. 11. Etheridge and Harris were both hired during the second week in February.
