MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of December’s National Signing Day, it’s around the time when high school recruits flip pledges; meanwhile, the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes experienced both sides of it on Wednesday night.

Starting with a big gain, four-star linebacker Aston Whiteside’s commitment goes from Texas A&M to “The U.” He attended last Saturday’s 43-35 double-overtime win over the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium. Whiteside is ranked 347th nationally, 27th among linebackers, and 46th from Texas among the 2027 recruiting class, according to 247Sports Composite.

BREAKING: Four-Star LB Aston Whiteside has Flipped his Commitment from Texas A&M to Miami, he tells me for @Rivals
The 6’2 215 LB had been Committed to the Aggies since June
“All Glory to God, Go Canes!”https://t.co/UgtORoSGpApic.twitter.com/mrUdu0L5vx

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 21, 2026

The Centennial High School senior has logged 91 total tackles, 66 solos and 25 assists, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, and seven hurries in seven games thus far this season. Whiteside is listed at 6-2, 205 pounds, plus has experience playing at safety. He’s the first former Texas A&M commit to flip in the midst of the Aggies’ underwhelming 4-3 (SEC 1-3) season.

Whiteside is the third linebacker in the Hurricanes’ 202 recruiting class, along with Aroson Randle Jr. and Noah Glover. They will develop directly under defensive coordinator and position coach Corey Hetherman. Also, Whiteside was previously the 12th recruit from outside the Sunshine State to commit to the Coral Gables program.

However, a big gain came with a loss.

Four-star defensive tackle DeMarco Jenkins flipped from “The U” to SMU the same night as the Whiteside news. He initially committed to the Hurricanes on May 31. Jenkins is ranked 450th nationally, 54th among defensive tackles, and 56th from Texas.

BREAKING: Class of 2027 DL Demarco Jenkins has Flipped his Commitment from Miami to SMU, he tells me for @Rivals
The 6’3 305 DL had been Committed to the Hurricanes since May
“Mustang nation I’m HOME🐎🏡”https://t.co/y4HeKiRfxrpic.twitter.com/gkGkerxgUD

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 21, 2026

The newest member of the Mustangs’ 2027 recruiting class currently attends Pearland High School. As a senior, he’s logged 13 total tackles, seven solos and six assists, five tackles for loss, a sack, and five hurries in four games thus far this season.

After the latest recruiting transactions, the Hurricanes dipped to the nation’s fourth-best 2027 recruiting class with 20 pledges. They fall behind the following order:

- No. 1 Texas A&M

- No. 2 Notre Dame

- No. 3 Oregon

Head coach Mario Cristobal is one of the nation’s best recruiters and will have opportunities to flip other prolific recruits. As the Hurricanes prepare to face the Pitt Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium this Saturday, they will host five-star edge rusher and Ohio State commit David DJ Jacobs, among other recruits. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ESPN.

The Hurricanes look to secure a brighter future.

More Miami Hurricanes News:

- "Could No. 1 UM Push No. 4 Notre Dame Out of the College Football Playoffs?"

- "UM Ranked New No. 1 in AP Poll"

- "Javian Mallory Boosted UM's Run Game as Mark Fletcher Jr. Went Down"

Source: Yahoo Sports