STATE OF THE U 2023: WR analysis

CaneSport continues its State of The U series with a closer position by position look, unfiltered and objective, based on what Miami has returning, the projections and whether this will be an improved unit or not.

Today’s focus: Miami’s wide receivers position:

OVERVIEW

The Miami passing game struggled last year in an offense that wasn’t a good fit under Josh Gattis and with starting QB Tyler Van Dyke injured midway through the season. Backups Jake Garcia and Jacurri Brown struggled with Van Dyke out, but you can’t lay all the blame of a passing game that was No. 59 in the nation (239.0 yards per game) at the feet of the QBs. The receivers were inconsistent, and injuries also were a factor here – in particular losing Xavier Restrepo early in the year was a factor (he had 100 yards in the opener, 72 in game 2 but then was out the next five games and never factored in again). When the season ended the Canes’ top wide receiver had just 367 yards. That was Colbie Young, and 228 of those (62 percent) came in just two games – back-to-back against Virginia Tech and Duke. Brashard Smith had one game with over 60 yards (76 vs. Virginia Tech), Frank Ladson had one as well (65 vs. Middle Tennessee). Key’Shawn Smith? He had 81 yards vs. Middle Tennessee and never surpassed 49 in any other game and was benched. Jacolby George never had more than 41 yards; Mike Redding never more than 50. It was just a production failure across the board. This year everyone returns to the receiver room other than backup Romello Brinson (transferred out), and the team’s added transfers Tyler Harrell (Alabama) and Shemark Kirk (JUCO) along with speedy freshmen Ray Ray Joseph and Robby Washington. The expectation is that Restrepo will start in the slot and that Harrell will emerge as one of the outside starters given his 4.24 speed (although his only solid season to this point was two years ago at Louisville when he had just over 500 receiving yards). But it’ll be a big battle for the starting roles and no one’s job is safe. Even Restrepo will be pushed by Joseph, who looked like a bigtime prospect this spring. And the question remains if this can become one of the ACC’s better units.

STATE OF THE U: QB ANALYSIS … RB analysis

BIGGEST QUESTION

Aside from the overall question mark of how much better this unit can be off a rough 2022 season, there’s also the matter of a No. 1 wideout. This is a team that perhaps can get by with a bunch of good wide receivers, which it seems Miami has right now. But when the Canes have been really good here there’s a guy that makes it all go and draws the attention. Can Restrepo or Harrell become that, or will someone else emerge? That’s our big question entering fall practice. And Miami really does needs someone to step up and be that guy who makes the plays when the team needs it most.

BOLD PREDICTION

Ray Ray Joseph will have over 800 total yards. There, we said it. He’s just too good to keep on the bench, and we can’t imagine that Shannon Dawson won’t find a way to get the ball in his hands as a receiver, runner and maybe even handling some returns. Restrepo will no doubt also be a major part of the receiving offense, but the team can use two slot guys and move guys around. You saw this spring that Joseph was lining up and going in motion, and the team should be able to get some good matchups for him and let him go to work.

PROJECTION: POSITION WILL BE BETTER/WORSE THAN LAST YEAR?

Last year was pretty much a failure from a wide receiver perspective. There were drops, no consistency, and coaches wound up starting eight different receivers in games (Frank Ladson 9 starts, Brashard Smith 6, Colbie Young 6, Mike Redding 4, Key’Shawn Smith 3, Xavier Restrepo 2, Jacolby George 1, Romello Brinson 1). And no receiver other than Restrepo graded out above 70 percent per Pro Football Focus, which is considered a good grade (he was at 74.7). There were really no answers. So this year should be much improved, helped in part by a healthy Tyler Van Dyke off his injury that cost him basically the final half of the season, and also by a receivers room that added four new faces including two we mentioned earlier we think can really make a big impact in Tyler Harrell and Ray Ray Joseph. So things are looking up here for sure. 2022 GRADE … C-; 2023 PROJECTED GRADE … B+

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