Miami Hurricanes WR Isaiah Horton had big play in today’s scrimmage, says “I love this offense”

WR Isaiah Horton played in four games off the bench last year to maintain his redshirt status, catching one pass for six yards. A shoulder issue also held him back in 2022. Now, with a receiving corps that woefully underperformed and a new offensive coaching staff led by coordinator Shannon Dawson and WR coach Kevin Beard, the 6-4, 205-pounder Horton could emerge in Year 2 as a playmaker.

Horton has gotten mostly 2 reps but also working in with the ones this spring (with Jacolby George, Xavier Restrepo and Colbie Young the main first-teamers).

In today’s scrimmage he made a nice play to convert a third-and-long off a pass from Jacurri Brown.

“I’d say my game has improved most based on my speed, improved a lot from last year,” said Horton, who has put on 10 pounds since last year. “I’m working on everything – my hands, speed, agility, everything.”

Horton is also up to 205 pounds from 190 when he arrived, and he also says his maturity level has “grown a lot” since he arrived.

“I’m working,” Horton said.

Horton is a former 4-star prospect out of Murfreesboro, Tenn., who had 71 catches over his final two years of high school for 1,345 yards and 17 TDs. His offer list was extensive, including Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, Alabama and Tennessee.

That speaks volumes to the potential of Horton, who can run past DBs and go up above them to make tough catches.

He wants to be part of a dominant WR group this year.

“There was a moment (last year) I talked to myself, `We have to do better, what we’re doing, this is not what we came here to do,’” Horton said. ‘We’ve got a goal in mind, get your mind right and let’s go get it.”

The competition is fierce to get in the two-deep at receiver, though. Along with the aforementioned main first-teamers there’s also Brashard Smith and Frank Ladson, who got starts last year, along with Mike Redding and speedy freshmen Ray Ray Joseph and Robby Washington.

“(The receiving corps) is definitely getting better,” Horton said. “We’re coming together more, like a family, brothers. We’re working, encouraging each other, helping each other get better.”

While jobs are open competition, Horton knows one thing for sure: He likes what he’s seeing from Shannon Dawson’s offense.

“I love this offensive scheme,” Horton said. “Coach Dawson, he’s a great offensive coordinator. He’s going to put the right players in the right positions to make the right plays. I love this offense.”

Horton also praised new WR coach Kevin Beard.

“Coach Beard, you can trust him – he’ll tell you the good, the bad, too,” Horton said. “He’ll tell us his failures, telling us what he did wrong so we can help ourselves, and I appreciate that a lot.

“He says `Just trust the process.’”

The bottom line thought from Horton on this overall team?

“We have a great vibe, great culture. I love the energy we have right now,” he said.

*Horton said starting QB Tyler Van Dyke “is amazing as always. I couldn’t even tell he had an injury.”

Horton also praised QB Jacurri Brown, saying “He’s grown tremendously – accuracy, sped, reading coverages.”

Horton also said QB Emory Williams “Is making some crazy plays out there as a freshman. He’s doing good reading coverages, he’s going to be a great player.”

Horton said the connection with all the QBs on and off the field has progressed from a year ago.

*Horton singled out DBs Chris Graves, Markeith Williams and Daryl Porter, Jr. for praise in their progress.

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