Miami Hurricanes 50-1 Countdown: Ranking the top 50 post-spring players … No. 43 Frank Ladson
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
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. 43, Frank Ladson
NO. 43 MIAMI WR FRANK LADSON
Why he’s No. 43
When Frank Ladson arrived as a Clemson transfer prior to last season, the expectation was he’d step up as a starter and potentially be that No. 1 threat Miami desperately needed. That never transpired. Ladson wound up on the bench to start the year but then with the WR corps not faring well he started the final nine games. Ladson ended with 27 catches (fourth most on the team) for 298 yards (also fourth most) and one TD. His Pro Football Focus grades? Not great. With 70 considered a good grade, he was at 58.5 percent overall (59.4 as a receiver, 52.9 as a run blocker). His grades at Clemson were somewhat similar – 51.4 in 2021, 65.4 in 2020 and 60.9 in 2019. With the Tigers, arriving there in the Class of 2019 as a highly touted 4-star Miami chased hard, he played off the bench as a freshman and had 128 receiving yards. Then in 2020 he caught 18 passes for 281 yards in 10 games while battling injury. He started four games there in 2021 and had just four catches, opting to transfer to Miami after the season. Ladson was banged up this spring and it remains to be seen where he’ll fit in on the depth chart, with other outside receivers vying for time Jacolby George and Colbie Young (the first teamers this spring) along with up-and-coming Isaiah Horton plus Mike Redding and true freshman Robby Washington.
What he needs to do to move up this list
Live up to his tremendous potential. Ladson showed in high school he has the size and speed to beat DBs over the top while also having the ability to be a possession receiver down the middle of the field. But that just never translated at the college level to this point. He needs to really put it all together since as a senior this is his last chance to make a splash and have a shot in the NFL. So that motivation should be a major push in the direction of getting the job done in 2023.
Realistic season objective
Ladson has the potential to once again start, but because he didn’t do much in his opportunities last year starting nine games he’s a bit behind the eight ball. In fall camp he’ll have to really show out, and with Colbie Young and Jacolby George both looking good in spring ball he’s got his work cut out. The good news for Ladson is that Shannon Dawson loves to push the ball downfield, and being a deep threat is Ladson’s strength with his length and speed. So he should get his opportunities. Perhaps a season with around 500 yards and a handful of touchdowns would be considered a success based on what we’ve seen to this point.
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