Miami WR Jacolby George on Monday: We are throwing ball down the field more this year and “receivers are going to get open”

There are many picks for a breakout offensive player on the Miami Hurricanes’ offense this year off a lackluster 2022 season and with new coordinator Shannon Dawson on board. Some might point to running backs Mark Fletcher (a freshman) or Ajay Allen (a Nebraska transfer). Maybe freshman Ray Ray Joseph, or even a resurgent Tyler Van Dyke with expectations lowered off a difficult last season.

One player who isn’t on the radar quite as much as the above but has perhaps as much potential for that big year after not doing much last season? WR Jacolby George.

The perception was perhaps George would fall by the wayside when Miami added WR transfer Tyler Harrell from Alabama. That hasn’t been the case. George has remained firmly atop the depth chart from everything we’ve seen to this point.

He’s looking for a big season.

“I feel like me being consistent is what helped me be a better me,” George said. “Focusing on me, knowing what I needed to do to be a better teammate, a better player on the field and off – I feel that helped.”

George also weighed in on the team’s scrimmage on Friday, saying “The first scrimmage we came out and knew what we wanted, wanted to score and that’s what we did. The second scrimmage, the defense was ready for us and got the better of us.”

George joins slot Xavier Restrepo and Colbie Young as the anticipated starters, with Harrell and Joseph also expected to get plenty of reps.

Of Harrell, George said, “He brings a lot of speed, he’s really fast. He has a speed that some of us don’t, and that’s what he brings to the table.”

The competition has been fierce all camp, with other talented WRs Isaiah Horton, Mike Redding, Shemar Kirk, Brashard Smith and Frank Ladson (who got starts last year), along with freshman Robby Washington.

The guy helping mold the Miami wide receivers: Coach Kevin Beard.

“It’s a great difference in a positive way – he’s helped us each individually specifically on what each players needs, teaching us in a certain way,” George said.

As for George’s background? The junior arrived at Miami as a 4-star highly touted playmaker out of Lauderhill (Fla.) Plantation High School, where he had 1,030 receiving yards as a senior and was an Under Armour All-American. His time at Miami hasn’t gone quite as smoothly as some envisioned back then. As a freshman in 2021 he played in nine games off the bench and had seven catches for 183 yards, then this past season he was suspended for the first two games and never had more than 39 yards in a game (vs. Pitt). He ended with 13 receptions for 130 yards.

George also handled returns and had five PR with a long of 18 yards; his lone kickoff return went for 21 yards.

He could remain in that role again this year.

“Me, Tyler (Van Dyke) and all the quarterbacks are getting way better at connecting and getting the ball down the field,” George said. “Last year Tyler wasn’t fully (healthy), this year he’s there. He’s ready to go. Ready for Game 1.”

The bottom line: This is an offense that should make a lot more plays down the field.

“We are ready, ready to work, ready for Game 1,” George said. “This year is way better with throwing it more down the field, we get more chances. The receivers are going to get open this year.

“Last year it wasn’t about getting vertical, it was about getting open. But this year, we’re going vertical this year. We know what the plan is and we know how to (execute) it.”

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