There’s a giant gap left the place Charleston Rambo and Mike Harley Jr. as soon as sat within the Hurricanes’ large receiver room.
The 2 have been Miami’s prime two pass-catchers final 12 months and each set receiving information in Coral Gables. With the pair of star wideouts now hoping to earn spots on an NFL roster, the Hurricanes’ returning receivers want to fill their spots on and off the sector.
“As quickly because the older guys left final 12 months, instantly, I took cost,” rising third-year sophomore Xavier Restrepo stated. “Guys are doing a fantastic job. We’re coming collectively. Apply goes good. It’ll be higher within the subsequent week or two. We’ll actually begin to get collectively and belief one another.”
There are definitely loads of receptions to go round. Rambo had 79 catches for 1,172 yards final season, each college information. Rambo led the workforce with seven landing catches. Harley, a St. Thomas Aquinas alumnus, was second on the workforce with 57 receptions for 543 yards and 5 touchdowns. Harley’s mark of 182 profession catches is a Hurricanes report.
The pair of receivers mixed for 46 % of the Hurricanes’ catches, about 45 % of the workforce’s receiving yards and 40 % of UM’s landing receptions.
“These guys are ballhawks,” Restrepo stated.
Restrepo, a Deerfield Seashore alumnus, has impressed in 10 spring practices, largely enjoying within the slot-receiver function. He had 24 catches for 373 yards and a pair of touchdowns final season, second amongst returning large receivers. Rising third-year receiver Key’Shawn Smith is the main returner after making 33 catches for 405 yards and three scores in 2021.
Rising sophomore Jacolby George, a Plantation alumnus, and Clemson switch Frank Ladson Jr. are amongst these additionally seeking to safe enjoying time come the autumn, as is rising sophomore Romello Brinson, who's out for the spring with an harm.
“I really feel like spring’s going nice for me,” George stated. “I’m getting together with the brand new coaches, getting the performs and formations all down pat. Now it’s simply based mostly off my talent and what I can do.”
The previous Hurricanes standouts have been encouraging their ex-teammates.
“Rambo texts me each day,” Restrepo stated. “He simply despatched me a video the opposite day, saying that like, ‘You higher get my report,’ and stuff like that. So me and him keep in contact.”
Stated George: “(Harley) tells me I’ve set to work tougher than all the opposite receivers — keep in additional, catch extra balls, simply do stuff to remain on prime.”
Miami doesn't have an official large receivers coach on workers, however offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has spent a lot of his time teaching the wideouts. Gattis beforehand coached the place throughout his tenures at Alabama, Penn State and Vanderbilt.
“Working with coach Gattis is a good expertise,” George stated. “Having a brand new coach, extra performs, open playbook. He’s coached loads of nice receivers previously like (Jerry) Jeudy and (Henry) Ruggs, and to have the ability to be one in every of his gamers is phenomenal.”
The receivers can depend on quarterback Tyler Van Dyke as he prepares for his first full 12 months as UM’s starter. Van Dyke was the ACC Rookie of the Yr final season after finishing 62 % of his passes for two,931 yards and 25 touchdowns.
“TVD is the person,” Restrepo stated. “He’s all the time had it. Ever since we stepped in right here as freshmen, getting additional work. … Yearly, you simply see a frontrunner. He actually took the management function this 12 months, taking the entire complete workforce beneath his wing.”
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