ANALYSIS: Top 5 Miami Hurricanes breakout players for the coming season … No. 4

No. 5 Miami breakout player Isaiah Horton

With Miami’s spring practice in the rearview mirror, we are taking a look at five players who have not yet broken out but appear poised to do so. Yesterday was No. 5, WR Isaiah Horton. And another receiver is at No. 4. That’s Jacolby George.

George played 83 reps as a true freshman in 2021, catching seven passes for 183 yards in nine games, then last year was in for 168 reps and had 13 catches for 130 yards. He missed two games due to suspension and three others due to a hand injury.

This spring he very much looked the part as an explosive receiver, and in the Spring Game he had a great 15-yard over-the-shoulder TD grab and a 31-yard catch-and-run on a quick hitter, showing his quick burst. That speed comes with a bulked up body, too – George has put on 10 pounds since last season, to 180.

After the Spring Game, QB Tyler Van Dyke said of the TD catch that “(George and I) worked on it all spring, working on those vertical balls.”

George had a short second TD later in the Spring Game. He spent the spring working as a first team outside receiver, and Shannon Dawson’s new attack that can get him the ball in space appears perfectly suited to his skillset.

Mario Cristobal said of George after the Spring Game that “He’s really had a good spring, continues to improve. There is a change in him.” And, earlier in the spring, Cristobal said, “Have to mention Jacolby George – gained 10-12 pounds in the offseason, and when he’s on he’s showing what he is going to be for us, needs to be.”

George, a 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. Last year he never had more than 39 yards in a game (vs. Pitt). Per Pro Football Focus, George graded out at 64.2 percent on offense in 168 reps and had a 62.3 receiving grade with two dropped passes on 17 targets.

This year he appears poised for big things in a receiver room with others looking to step up like Colbie Young, Xavier Restrepo, Horton, Brashard Smith, freshmen Ray Ray Joseph and Robby Washington, etc.

George was a first-teamer in all 15 of Miami’s spring practices.

“This (offense) is more explosive, more opportunities for the receivers,” George said. “More deep balls, letting us be us.”

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