Miami Hurricanes need wide receivers to step up in 2018

In 2017 largely because of the injuries Richards regressed to 24 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns. He is the most experienced among a largely inexperienced group returning at wide receiver for the 2018 season.

The Miami Hurricanes also bring in at least a trio of highly talented receivers in the Storm ’18 class. The Hurricanes are also still hoping to add one more receiver to the class.

Rising Sophomore Jeff Thomas showed his big play ability this season. Thomas was fifth on the team in receptions and touchdowns and fourth in receiving yards.

He was a four-star player out of East St. Louis, Illinois in the Class of 2017. Thomas was the 40th ranked player overall in the class, the second best player coming out of Illinois and the fifth-best wide receiver.

The former East St. Louis Flyer lived up to his high school’s nickname. Thomas finished the 2017 season with 17 receptions for 374 yards and two touchdowns. His 22 yards per catch led the ACC among qualifiers.

DeeJay Dallas who is listed as an “athlete” on Miami’s roster averaged 23 yards on four receptions. He switched to running back when Mark Walton went down with a season-ending ankle injury after four games.

Thomas also did a reasonably good job returning kickoffs. He had 32 returns for 691 yards for 21.6 yards per kickoff return. None went for touchdowns. Thomas finished eighth in the ACC in kickoff returns.