Payton Kirkland, elite Florida offensive tackle, calls Miami ‘offensive line Heaven,’ visiting this weekend and sets June official visit

Dr. Phillips High School star and All-American Bowl offensive tackle Payton Kirkland has a lot of his recruitment sorted out.

For example, he's set to announce his commitment July 23, alongside elite Jones High School linebacker Malik Bryant and Osceola High School defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc, the nation's No. 17 overall prospect.

Kirkland, a consensus four-star prospect. has a top five set, featuring Alabama, Florida, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State and Oklahoma.

The 6-foot-7, 345-pound offensive tackle also knows (roughly) when he'll take all five of his official visits - Oklahoma (June 3), Florida (June 10), Alabama (sometime between June 10-17), Michigan State (June 17) and Miami (June 20). 

The hard part? Picking a school.

Hoping to sort that out with a series of visits, Kirkland is headed to Miami this weekend - from April 17-19 - to get a closer look at the Mario Cristobal-led Hurricanes.

So far, he's got nothing but glowing things to say about the in-state program.

“That’s offensive line Heaven out there right now,” Kirkland said. “They have six coaches hands-on with the offensive line full time. One of those coaches is the head coach. You’re not going to get that anywhere else as an offensive lineman. It’s an amazing thing to see and I’m excited to get out there this weekend.”

Aiding Miami's cause is the relentless recruiting approach of Cristobal, who has been in nearly constant contact with the mammoth prospect.

Asked which coach is recruiting him the hardest, Kirkland could only chuckle.

“Mario Cristobal, by far,” he laughed. “He’s not backing down at all, I’ll tell you that. He’s willing to go fight with everybody in the country about me and he’s really hands-on when it comes to recruitment. I’ve talked to him twice today already. He’s a character.” 

Even with all of that, Florida may be the early favorite.

Still, a pair of Miami visits - and Cristobal's obsessive recruiting effort - could be enough for the Hurricanes to finish on top.