Jonesboro, Georgia – Four‑star safety Cortez Redding has officially committed to the Miami Hurricanes for the Class of 2026. The 6‑foot, 170‑to‑195‑pound standout, who went public with his decision on July 25, 2025, declared simply: “This is home for me” .
Redding’s recruitment had narrowed to four finalists—Miami, NC State, Ole Miss, and Indiana—after a loaded field of nearly 50 Division I offers . He’d made official visits to Miami (May 30–June 1), NC State (June 6–8), and Ole Miss (mid‑June) . As a key teammate of Miami’s commit CB Jontavius Wyman, Redding already had strong ties within the program .
From the outset, Miami had enjoyed momentum in the recruitment, with On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine assigning Miami an 88.9% chance of landing Redding, far ahead of rivals NC State (5%) and Ole Miss (3.2%) . Redding expressed a long‑standing admiration for the Hurricanes’ legacy, saying he grew up watching the film reels of Hall‑of‑Famers Ray Lewis and Sean Taylor, both Miami safeties, and was drawn to the program’s honesty and culture .
On3 ranked Redding as the No. 15 or 17 safety nationally depending on source, and placed him around No. 181–197 overall in the 2026 class; he’s also among Georgia’s top prospects . His junior season was dominant—118 tackles, six tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups—earning him All‑Classification Defensive Player of the Year in Georgia .
In a recruiting announcement, Redding explained what he was looking for in a school: immediate playing opportunities, coaching that develops physical and mental readiness for the next level, and preparation for life beyond football—including lessons about adulthood, family, and personal growth . He called Miami’s coach Mario Cristobal “my guy,” praising Cristobal’s personality and vision—saying, “He’s fixing to get Miami back to the old Miami.” Redding also cited the vibe and atmosphere of Miami as inspiring and motivating .
For Miami, landing Redding addresses a key position of need—adding depth and future starters to a safety room projected to carry six to eight players in 2026. The Hurricanes had already returned multiple safeties and brought in transfers, but Redding adds elite upside and local Georgia talent to the mix .
Redding’s commitment marks a major win in Miami’s 2026 class construction. At a Jonesboro media day event, the native Georgia standout made his choice official in front of coaches, teammates, family, and community supporters. “This is all for my dad,” he wrote in one social media post, adding emotional weight to the decision .
In joining the Hurricanes, Cortez Redding brings a rare combination of instincts, athleticism, and football IQ to the field—with the potential to make an immediate impact in Miami’s secondary. His recruitment journey reflects both his hard work and the Hurricanes’ recruiting resurgence. As Redding puts on the Miami helmet, he’s taking another step toward that next level—on the field, in the classroom, and in life.