Miami Hurricanes 50-1 Countdown: Ranking the top 50 post-spring players … No. 37 Brashard Smith

No. 50 Miami DT Thomas Gore … No. 49 Malik Curtis … No. 48 Kaleb Spencer … No. 47 Ahmad Moten … No. 46 Jaden Harris … No. 45 Logan Sagapolu … No. 44 Markeith Williams … No. 43 Frank Ladson … No. 42 Chris Graves … No. 41 Keontra Smith … No. 40 Robby Washington … No. 39 Emory Williams … No. 38 Jacurri Brown

CaneSport is breaking down the top 50 post-spring players on the roster, a list that doesn’t include any post-spring roster additions. Today we break down No. 37, Brashard Smith

NO. 37 MIAMI RB BRASHARD SMITH

Why he’s No. 37

Smith arrived at Miami as a 4-star game-breaking speedster out of a stacked Miami Palmetto program. The All-American Bowl selection had an offer list that included Alabama, Florida, Penn State, Oregon, Tennessee, LSU and Michigan. So pretty much every top program in the nation wanted him on the roster. As a true freshman at UM? In 2021 he flashed some of what he can do working behind Mike Harley – Smith had 14 catches for 199 receiving yards, including a 75-yard TD vs. Central Connecticut State. He added 147 yards on kickoff returns. But with Harley gone this past season Smith just didn’t emerge in a stagnant offense under Josh Gattis. It didn’t help that Tyler Van Dyke was injured and missed the last half of the year, or that Jake Garcia and Jacurri Brown struggled while Van Dyke was out. This spring it was Xavier Restrepo as the first team guy in the slot, and while it’s expected he’ll be the starter there’s no reason Smith won’t get his opportunities as well. Last year with Restrepo injured Smith started in six games, and his biggest output was 76 receiving yards vs. Virginia Tech. He ended with 33 catches for 308 yards (28.0 yards per game) and no TDs. On 11 kickoff returns he had a long of 39, and he had a long punt return of 18 yards. So he wasn’t the big play guy most expected. Per Pro Football Focus, Smith graded out at 68.4 percent on his 314 reps and he dropped three passes in 43 targets. It’s a new start for Smith with a new coordinator, but in the slot he’ll have to earn his reps with Restrepo and true freshman speedster Ray Ray Joseph also looking to earn their share of time.

What he needs to do to move up this list

Smith has game-breaking speed but struggled hanging onto the ball in the past and had some issues this spring, as well. He has to get that fixed. With Tyler Van Dyke healthy and a new offense it’s somewhat of a new start for Smith, and Xavier Restrepo is expected to start in the slot with Smith and Ray Ray Joseph battling for reps behind him. Smith could also work outside at times, but there are other guys looking to step up there. So really Smith just has to show new coordinator Shannon Dawson that when he has the balls in his hands with open space, he’s a guy who turns in big plays. With his speed there’s no reason he can’t find a role and be very productive. He’s also a guy who can get some carries (3 rushes, 22 yards last season) and return kicks in addition to his receiving duties, so he really can star in multiple areas of the game.

Realistic season objective

Shannon Dawson loves using his slot receivers in his hybrid Air-Raid attack, as evidenced by Nathaniel Dell finishing last season with 109 catches for 1,398 yards and 17 TDs in Dawson’s Houston offense … while playing the majority of snaps in the slot. That has to be exciting to Smith, but he’ll have to win over reps from a healthy Xavier Restrepo (who we expect to start and star in this offense) as well as electric true freshman Ray Ray Joseph. Now, Dawson will use two slot guys at a time depending on the situation, so there should be reps to go around. But Smith will have to show he can hang onto the ball and make plays. Assuming he is given the opportunity to make plays in space we can see a solid supporting role for him and something in the neighborhood of 400+ yards receiving with a role of some sort running with the ball, too. Look for Smith to also be involved in the return game. He’s too talented not to get the ball in his hands.

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