Four-star WR Eli Woodard traveling across the country to feel the Miami Hurricanes' energy

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Four-star WR Eli Woodard traveling across the country to feel the Miami Hurricanes' energy

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jun 30, 2026 6:37 PM ET

The Miami Hurricanes gave Eli Woodard, a four-star wide receiver from Temecula, California, a special feeling.

In fact, he was so enamored by what he saw from Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes that he called to let him know that he wanted to commit...after a visit with the UCLA Bruins.

Woodard had taken an official visit to Coral Gables in late May, but he was still thinking about the Hurricanes a few weeks later while checking out what UCLA had to offer.

That's why he committed to Miami on Tuesday, choosing Cristobal's program over UCLA and the Cal Golden Bears.

“I feel great about my decision and I’m excited to be a Cane,” Woodard told Rivals. “I’ve known it’s been Miami for a couple of weeks now. Right after my UCLA visit, I called Miami and told them I was coming. "

BREAKING: Four-Star WR Eli Woodard has Committed to Miami, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6’0 185 WR chose the Hurricanes over Cal and UCLA

“GODGOTME”https://t.co/EJfhEVXCog pic.twitter.com/YE2ShTFGab
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 30, 2026

Miami is building an elite 2027 recruiting class, and Woodard is the next big piece of it. Checking in as the No. 22 wideout in the country, according to 247Sports, he's coming off a junior season of high school that saw him catch 51 passes for 1,070 yards and 17 touchdowns while playing both ways.

Woodard is also a track and field star who has run a 10.91 in the 100-meter dash and a 22.95 in the 200-meter.

Eli Woodard is all-in on Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes

After a senior year at Chaparral High School, Woodard will find himself running down to Coral Gables. His new home will be over 2,000 miles away, but the four-star already feels comfortable in Miami.

“I got that special feeling out there and knew in my heart, Miami was the spot for me,” Woodard said. “The people at Miami made it special. It’s hard to explain but it felt like I knew everyone my whole life, even though I was just meeting them for the first time.

“I love the coaching staff and I’m excited to work with coach KB (Kevin Beard). I’ve had some great talks with him and Mario Cristobal and I’m ready for this. The energy in that building is crazy and I’m ready to let it ride.”

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: