A report on CBSSports.Com earlier today revealed that Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt said “We need Great Receivers”. The Hurricanes only have two pure Wide Receivers committed to the class of 2017 per 247Sports.
Evidence Njoku, the brother of Miami Tight End David Njoku and Derrick Smith, a three-star recruit from Jacksonville are the only two WR’s listed as verbal commitments to Miami at this point.
David Njoku is likely to leave early for the NFL Draft and the Hurricanes also lose Seniors Stacy Coley and Malcolm Lewis. Lewis struggled with injuries this season.
Ahmmon Richards was a Freshmen All-American this season and led Miami in receiving yards and yards per catch. The Hurricanes have some options returning next season to lineup opposite Richards.
Richt is going to need someone to emerge in 2017 from the group of return specialist Braxton Berrios, Dayall Harris and/or Lawrence Cager. Berrios and Harris combined for 17 receptions for 204 yards and a touchdown this season. Cager is sitting out 2016 with a torn ACL.
Per CBS, Carol City’s Kevaugn Dingle backed off his verbal commitment to Miami on Thursday. Dingle doesn’t seem to fit the kind of player Richt is looking for. He was clocked running a 4.89 40 yard dash at a camp in March.
Relaying the kind of receivers he’s looking for Richt said:
"“We need great receivers…We need guys that can make plays. We need guys that have the skill set that we need to get off the jam and catch the ball in traffic and hopefully have enough top end speed to scare people to back off you on certain routes…We got to have enough speed on the edges…That’s a big need. We have got some guys that are pretty good possession type guys, but we need more guys that can run.”"
Richt said the Hurricanes are looking anywhere they can to find the receivers they are looking for. “Anything is an option…JUCO is an option. A graduate transfer is an option. Anybody we think that can come in and be able to function and help us win.”
Stormin in Norman
247’s Inside the U reported earlier this week that the Hurricanes might be pursuing Notre Dame graduate transfer Corey Holmes. Holmes had 11 receptions for 96 yards for the Fighting Irish this season. Holmes would be eligible immediately after graduating from ND in three years. He ran a 4.39 40 for the Irish last spring.
Holmes was a four star recruit out of St. Thomas Acquinas in Fort Lauderdale. That’s the same school that produced former UM Recruit Sam Bruce. The Five Star Bruce was dismissed earlier this season.
Holmes redshirted as a Sophomore and would have two seasons of eligibility remaining. The Notre Dame website UHND.Com is reporting that UCLA, Arizona State, Arizona and North Carolina are among the other suitors.
Richt will play the player who best fits his system. He showed that with the confidence he has had in Richards this season. Richt said:
"“If you can come in and prove that you got a better chance of playing the way we’re going to ask you to play than the guy ahead of you, then we’re not afraid to play who we think is best… Whether you’re a freshman or a sophomore or a junior or a senior or a walk-on, it really doesn’t matter to us. But if you come in and you’re mature enough and you got the talent base, we’ll play you.”"
Next: Davon Reed 3's Lead Miami Hurricanes over Florida Atlantic
Miami also continues to look at high school seniors. Five Star recruit Devonta Smith of Amite, LA and three-star Mike Harley from West Virginia are expected to make their official visits next month.