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Elijah Melendez, 4-star Florida linebacker, commits to Miami (FL) over Michigan, Penn State & Ohio State

The Kowboys linebacker decides to stay in state over multiple Big Ten schools

When it came down to it, Kissimmee Osceola junior linebacker Elijah Melendez just wanted to stay closer to home. 

Not close to home like down the road UCF, but taking the turnpike down to Dade County that is. 

On Saturday evening, the 4-star rated linebacker announced his commitment to the Miami (FL) Hurricanes. Melendez decided on Miami over Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State. 

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker still has one more year under his belt before moving onto the college level. 

Despite missing most of the 2023 season, Melendez's stock has skyrocketed regardless. Holding more than 35 offers, the linebacker went with the Hurricanes, the second Power 5 level school to offer him. 

Melendez's rare combination of size and speed (4.59 40-yard dash time) makes the junior a hard to miss prospect for colleges around the country. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl