Toledo best wide receiving corps Miami Hurricanes will play in 2018

The Miami Hurricanes will face arguably the best wide receiver corps they will play this season when they travel to Toledo on Saturday afternoon.

Toledo has one of the best passing offenses in the country. They are fifth nationally at 390 passing yards per game through the first two weeks of the season. Three of their receivers were ranked in the top 90 in the country by Athlon Sports. The Miami Hurricanes are going to need a productive game from their secondary.

Athlon Sports ranked the top 40 receiving corps in the country for the 2018 season. They have Toledo’s eighth. Athlon also ranked the top 50 wide receivers and listed another 38 in no particular order.

Among those dubbed in The Next Tier by Athlon was Toledo’s, Jon’Vea Johnson. The Rockets Cody Thompson was 27th and Diontae Johnson 14th. Jon’Vea Johnson led Toledo with 80 yards receiving on three receptions with a touchdown in the Rockets season opening 66-3 victory over Virginia Military Institute.

Thompson’s 68 yards were second against the Keydets. He also had three receptions and a touchdown. Dionte Johnson had two for 60 and a touchdown against VMI. All three of Toledo’s star receivers have earned All-MAC and caught ten touchdown passes during their careers.

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Toledo has a deep receiving corps beyond their talented trio. Athlon summarized the Rockets receiving corps. 

"“A deep group of receivers will certainly ease the transition period for Toledo’s new starting quarterback this year. Diontae Johnson led the high-powered Rockets’ offense with 74 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, with Jon’Vea Johnson (42 catches for 689 yards) filling in as the No. 2 target.Cody Thompson was poised to earn his second 1,000-yard season in a row but suffered a season-ending leg injury in the fifth game of 2017. Thompson is slated to return to the lineup, adding another All-MAC receiver to coach Jason Candle’s offense.Danzel McKinley-Lewis (23 catches) is another player to watch at this position, with Reggie Gilliam and Drew Rosi battling for the starting job at tight end."

This should be the biggest week for the young Miami Hurricanes defensive backs before starting conference play against North Carolina. It going to test them early in the season. Per Athlon, this is the best wide receiving corps Miami will play this season unless they have a rematch with Clemson in the ACC Championship game.

Thompson could be better than his preseason ranking. The questions on how he would perform in 2018 coming off of an injury hindered him from being higher ranked on the Athlon top 50 list of wide receivers.

"“Assuming he’s 100 percent healthy by the start of 2018, Thompson should finish the year much higher on this list. He caught 64 passes for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2016 but suffered a season-ending injury in the fifth game of Toledo’s 2017 season.”"

Diontae Johnson was the Rockets best receiver in 2016. At 5’10 he will likely be covered most often by Miami’s 5’9 Trajan Bandy. Dionte Johnson is smaller than Jon’Vea Johnson and Thompson. Athlon summarized Diontae Johnson.

"“Toledo’s receiving corps ranks among the nation’s best for 2018. Johnson stepped up after Cody Thompson was lost for the year due to injury and led the Rockets with 74 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns.”"

Michael Jackson is likely to be on the 6’2 Thompson with Jhavonte Dean one Dionte Johnson. Miami is also going to need Freshmen cornerbacks D.J. Ivey, Al Blades Jr. and Gilbert Frierson to contribute.