Miami Hurricanes need more toughness at tight end
The departure of second-leading receiver Christopher Herndon IV at tight end leaves the Miami Hurricanes extremely inexperienced at tight end entering the 2018 season.
Herndon and wide receiver Braxton Berrios made up nearly 42 percent of the Miami Hurricanes receptions in 2017. He had nearly 82 percent of the Hurricanes receptions at tight end last season. Michael Irvin II is the only tight end on the Miami Hurricanes 2018 roster who has recorded a reception in his Miami career.
Entering his Junior season, Irvin has nine receptions for 78 yards in his Miami career. All of those came in 2017. Irvin became the starter last season when Miami lost Herndon for the season in the Pittsburgh game. Herndon suffered a torn ACL.
Miami had to play its final two games of the season without their three biggest offensive threats. The Hurricanes also lost starting halfback Mark Walton in the fourth game of the season against Florida State and wide receiver Ahmmon Richards in the week between the loss to Pittsburgh and the ACC Championship game against Clemson.
Irvin had a career-high three receptions for 18 yards in the 38-3 ACC Championship game loss to the Tigers. He had just one reception for four yards in the Orange Bowl loss to Wisconsin.
Tight end and Special Teams Coach Todd Hartley spoke to the Miami Herald on Tuesday about what he is looking for from Irvin.
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"“Mentally, Irvin is night and day different from where he was a year ago,…As far as missed assignments, knowing what he’s supposed to do, where he’s supposed to be, he’s been on top of it. Lot of improvement in his work ethic.He’s done that. He’s matured, not where I want him. He’s better than where he was at. He has improved finishing. There’s no quit. He still has his moments. I’m impressed by his progress so far.”"
Irvin and rising Sophomore Brian Polendey have a long way to go to be where Hartley wants them to be. Both are expected to be challenged and potentially surpassed by incoming Freshmen Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory.
Jordan is the top-ranked tight end in the Class of 2018 and Mallory eighth. Hartley continued what needs to be done from Irvin and Polendey.
"“Both of them need to get stronger…When we tee up against LSU in Dallas and play Florida State, Virginia Tech. … [They’ve] got to get stronger at the point of attack. We have to be able to block these guys.They’re great running routes. I would like them to catch the ball more consistently. But we’ve got to get stronger at the point of attack, both of those guys."
Next: Can Miami Hurricanes tight ends make an impact in 2018
Hartley told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald he expects Jordan and Mallory to arrive in Coral Gables in May or June. One or both are expected to be the next great tight end at Miami.