The Miami Hurricanes wide receiving core should be one of the strengths of the team this season. Although there is not a lot of experience behind Sophomore Ahmmon Richards and Senior Braxton Berrios, the Hurricanes are loaded with talent.
After playing a lot of two-tight end sets, pro sets and utilizing the fullback last season the Miami Hurricanes could be heading towards a lot of three-wide receiver sets this season. Their depth chart projects them starting three wide.
Wide receiver is by far the deepest position offensively. Richards will be complemented by Braxton and several players in the passing game.
Upperclassman Dionte Mullins, Lawrence Cager, Dayall Harris and Darrell Langham are all battling to get playing time. Freshmen Jeff Thomas, Mike Harley and DeeJay Dallas are also battling for a chance to make an impact this season.
Malik Rosier seems poised to win the starting quarterback job. He is going to have a bevy of receivers to throw to. We should see someone emerge much like Richards did last season.
The Sophomore set the Miami Hurricanes Freshman receiving yardage record with 934 receiving yards on 43 receptions and three touchdowns in 2016. He broke Michael Irvin’s 31-year-old receiving yardage record.
Richards sat out Saturday’s scrimmage after pulling a hamstring. His fellow 2016 Freshman All-America, linebacker Michael Pinckney has also struggled with a pulled hamstring during training camp.
Several receivers made contributions during Saturday’s scrimmage.
- Braxton Berrios, six catches for 107 yards and one carry for ten yards
- Darrell Langham, 6-97, TD…Richt was very impressed with his play on Saturday saying: “Continued to play big for us, had a big day”
- Mike Harley 3-58 yards, touchdown
- TE Chris Herndon 4-67 yards, TD
- DeeJay Dallas (four catches, 53 yards
- Dionte Mullins 2-33, TD
- Dayall Harris 2-11, TD, fumble
Although there were some missed opportunities Richt seemed pleased with his receiving core for the most part. He said:
"“Had one or two dropped balls….Mostly guys made catches”"
Harley and Thomas and to a lesser extent Dallas give Miami an element of speed they did not have last season. There is a lot of talent at receiver for a finite number of spots. One of them could be in prime position to make an impact in the passing game.
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At the very least some combination of the Freshman trio are likely to make an impact on special teams. If Berrios can make the impact in the passing game he seems poised to do, Richt, Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown and Special Teams Coach Todd Hartley might reduce his touches on special teams.
Berrios was one of the best punt returners in the nation last season. He averaged 11.3 yards per return last season. That was 11th in the country.
Getting the shot in the arm on kickoff returns from the Freshmen on could be a huge subtle improvement in the Miami season this year.
While Berrios significantly helped the Hurricanes field position battle last season, the Hurricanes kickoff returns were mediocre at best in 2016. Miami finished 55th in the country last season in kickoff returns.
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Most coaches stress it’s the little things that often make a difference. When Devin Hester was at UM and in the NFL with the Chicago Bears his ability in the return game struck fear in opponents and greatly helped out his teams offensively.