In a shocking turn of events, five-star offensive lineman Fernando Carmona has decommitted from the University of Arkansas Razorbacks and committed to the University of Miami Hurricanes, beating out fierce competition from LSU and Alabama. The 6’5″, 320-pound prospect, widely regarded as one of the top offensive line talents in the 2025 recruiting class, made his decision official on January 17th, leaving the recruiting world buzzing.
Carmona had originally pledged to Arkansas in June 2024, signaling his intent to be a cornerstone of their offensive line. However, in recent months, rumors began circulating that Carmona was re-evaluating his options. The attention of powerhouse programs such as LSU, Alabama, and Miami only intensified the pressure, with each school eager to land the highly coveted prospect.
While Arkansas had been seen as a favorite due to Carmona’s early commitment, the Hurricanes ultimately won out with their pitch centered around immediate playing time and their rising program under head coach Mario Cristobal. Miami, which has been rebuilding its recruiting prowess in recent years, was able to secure Carmona’s services by emphasizing their strong offensive line coaching and the opportunity to compete at the highest level in the ACC.
Both LSU and Alabama were considered serious contenders, offering top-tier football programs with strong traditions, but Carmona ultimately chose the Hurricanes, making it clear that the program’s development and the vision for his role played a significant factor in his decision.
Carmona’s commitment represents a major win for Miami and Cristobal as they continue to build their program into a national contender, and it signals that the Hurricanes are becoming a serious player in the competitive world of college football recr
uiting.