Blue-Chip DL Nicolas, Mom Get 'Good Vibe' from Miami, Mario Cristobal

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- Just two days after Mario Cristobal was officially hired as the head coach at the University of Miami, he offered Dimitry Nicolas a scholarship. 

The lass of 2024 defensive line recruit, then at Opa Locka (Fla.) Monsignor Pace High School, has been to Coral Gables several times since. Now looking to make an impact at Miami (Fla.) Norland High School, Nicolas is a rising-senior and the Canes continue to push for his services. 

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound prospect was back on campus in January.

"I like Miami. When I went over there last, I went with my mama," Nicolas told All Hurricanes. "My mama was just so excited to be over there, I was so happy to see a smile on her face. Mario Cristobal is just such a family man, and I felt a good vibe from him.

"You know, mama knows best. She tells me there is a good vibe coming from the coach, so I've got to believe it."

Nicolas is still looking to get a full impression of the new assistants working under Cristobal, particularly defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, and could return to campus for a spring practice in the next few weeks. 

The Miami pitch is a versatile one, however. 

"They want me to play the 3-tech, maybe nose and a little bit of 4i," Nicolas said.

Media and scouts in Orlando over the weekend saw Nicolas work inside against strong competition at the Under Armour Next camp at West Orange High School (video above), where he was singled out for his efforts.

"I thought I did pretty good, I thought I could have done better but that's how it goes at these camps," he said. "Finished with a positive record."

The ebb and flow of a long, and hot, camp effort mimics the recruiting process itself. Nicolas likened it to a steep hike. 

"It's like a mountain to me, sometimes it's smooth and sometimes you don't know where to go with it," he said with a smile, before updating the top programs courting him. "It's Georgia, Pitt, Miami, Florida and Auburn." 

Plenty of visits are likely to take place before a final decision is to be made, yet no official visits are set just yet. The new Norland defender could come off the board before the 2023 season begins, however.

"Most likely in the summer or in the beginning of my senior year," Nicolas said.

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