Top-50 2026 RB lands Miami offer, has immediate interest in Canes

Offers have steadily poured in for 2026 top-50 running back Tradarian Ball this spring, including one from Miami last week.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound running back currently listed as the No. 48 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, No. 5 running back in the On3 Industry Ranking and No. 6 prospect in the state of Texas had already landed offers from programs like Georgia and Texas A&M this spring before Miami’s staff pulled the trigger on the consensus four-star recruit following a visit to Texarkana (Tx.) Texas High. Ball currently has more than a dozen Power Conference offers and has been an early target for Texas in the cycle.

Running backs coach Matt Merritt offered Ball.

Ball didn’t have a tremendous amount of interaction with Miami’s staff during his quick trip to Coral Gables for the Hurricanes’ junior day Jan. 27, although he liked what he saw from the Hurricanes and felt the team did a good job of capturing his attention early.

“I think it’s a good school I could play at,” Ball said. “Miami, I like it being hot because where I’m from it’s always hot, and I like it hot. They’re at a good place in Florida. Miami is really just a good school in my opinion. They sit well in my top schools right now just because I’ve been there before and I’ve talked to them.”

Tennessee, USC and Florida State have also captured Ball’s attention due to their communication and on and off-field opportunities, he said. He said he had a feeling he could pick up a Miami offer this spring with coaches hitting the road and him making a trip to Coral Gables this January, and Merritt made a good first impression.

“I think he’s a good coach,” Ball said. “He knows how to hold a real conversation. He knows how to get you on your toes and have a real conversation with you that goes back and forth.”

CaneSport’s Take

Ball is interested in making a return visit to Coral Gables and could be a real option for the Hurricanes in the 2026 class if Miami chooses to heavily pursue him, although he’s a clear target for the major Texas schools as well.

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