Another one of North Carolina’s top 2027 defensive game-wreckers is off the board. Garner High School linebacker Aroson “A.J.” Randle Jr. has committed to Miami, the reigning College Football Playoff runners-up.
Randle, a four-star prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, announced his commitment to the Hurricanes on Thursday night, choosing Miami over a final group that included Florida, Georgia, NC State, Ohio State and South Carolina. His profile page at 247Sports shows 55 offers.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker is one of the top players in North Carolina and one of the highest-rated linebackers in the country. According to the 247Sports Composite, Randle is ranked as the No. 6 linebacker nationally, the No. 5 overall player in North Carolina and the No. 95 player in the country regardless of position.
Randle’s decision gives Miami its first North Carolina commitment in the 2027 cycle and adds another major name to a class that already has 14 commitments. He is the Hurricanes’ first linebacker pledge in the class.
“They just did an awesome job recruiting me,” Randle told HighSchoolOT about Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. “The staff was excellent and [Cristobal and Hetherman] from top to bottom, they just did everything right by me.”
Randle part of early run on North Carolina’s top 2027 talent
Randle’s commitment also continues a busy early run on North Carolina’s top 2027 prospects.
According to 247Sports’ state rankings, seven of the top 10 players in North Carolina have already committed. That group includes No. 1 tight end Jaxon Dollar (East Lincoln) to Georgia, No. 3 cornerback Xavier Hasan (Cardinal Gibbons) to Notre Dame, No. 4 edge rusher Rashad Streets (Millbrook) to Oregon, No. 5 defensive lineman John Archer (Seventy-First) to South Carolina, No. 6 Randle to Miami, No. 7 linebacker Quinton Cypher (Millbrook) to Ohio State and No. 9 safety Marquis Bryant (Rolesville) to Kentucky.
For Miami, landing Randle gives the Hurricanes a high-end defender from one of the most competitive recruiting areas in the state.
For NC State, which made Randle’s final six, it marks a missed opportunity to keep one of North Carolina’s top defensive prospects close to home. The Pack has commitments from two Raleigh area 2027 prospects, though: running back Christian Freeman (Southeast Raleigh) and tight end Griffin Cockerham (Cardinal Gibbons).
Multi-sport athlete with two-way production
Randle brings more than a recruiting ranking to Miami’s 2027 class.
He is a multi-sport athlete at Garner, playing football and basketball while also standing out on the track. Last weekend, Randle won the 7A state championship in the 300-meter hurdles, adding another piece to his profile as one of the state’s most athletic football prospects.
On the football field, Randle played multiple roles for Garner in 2025. According to 247Sports, he was credited with 84 tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and one interception in 13 games in 2025. He also took snaps on offense, rushing 20 times for 119 yards and four touchdowns while catching five passes for 111 yards and two more scores.
Randle also had 67 tackles and two interceptions during the 2024 season.
Garner finished 9-4 in 2025, falling to Cardinal Gibbons in a competitive 7A East playoff bracket.
Follow North Carolina football recruiting
NC Football News is tracking recruiting from both sides of the state’s football pipeline:
- North Carolina high school commitments: See where in-state high school players have committed.
- North Carolina college commitment tracker: See which players are joining North Carolina’s FBS and FCS programs
