K.J. Osborn transferred for passionate Miami football fans and history

The Miami football program is one of the most historical in the long folklore of the sport. Graduate transfer wide receiver K.J. Osborn spoke about why he chose the Hurricanes and what he is looking forward to this season.

Graduate transfer wide receiver K.J. Osborn was a big addition to the Miami football program during the offseason. Osborn has the potential to be the biggest impact transfer for the Hurricanes in 2019. The Ypsilanti, Michigan native was second across the board in receiving for Buffalo in 2018.

Osborn is a good bet to lead Miami in receptions this season. He could be a similar receiver to how Braxton Berrios was utilized in 2017. Osborn was clutch for the Bulls in 2018. According to Manny Navarro of The Athletic, Osborn had 14 catches for 323 yards and 12 first downs for Buffalo last season.

Not known as a burner, Navarro did point out that Osborn can make big plays in the passing game. He had “20 explosive plays (receptions of 15 yards or more.” Junior Jeff Thomas led Miami with 13 catches of 15 yards or more and leads Miami returnees with 11 receptions for 280 yards, for eight first downs.

Osborn transferred to the Miami football program to boost his opportunity to play in the NFL. He was quoted by Christopher Stock of Inside the U discussing the history and passion from the Miami Hurricanes fanbase as other reasons he chose to matriculate in Coral Gables.

"“I knew it as soon as I put up the edit. I didn’t really watch Florida and I didn’t really know who C.J. Henderson was, a good cornerback so I’m like, ‘what’s all the commotion?’ The fans started talking and then I was like, ‘OK I get it now.’ But it’s fun, that’s what you want.That’s why I came to Miami—to play in big-time college football games and hear the history behind it and see how passionate the fans are about it and the alumni and things like that. It’s fun. It will be exciting.”"

The biggest adjustment for Osborn has been getting to know his new teammates. Stock quoted the leader of the Hurricanes wide receiving corps as stating that the procedural activities are similar throughout college football.

"“No (it has not been tough) now that I’ve kind of been through it a little bit. College football is college football. Everybody does walk-throughs, 7-on-7s, meetings, camp.It’s kind of the same thing, just different players, different coaches, different coaching styles, but with the structure everybody in college football pretty much does the same thing.”"

Osborn’s journey to the Miami football program surprised even himself. He also spoke about the chemistry he’s developing with the three quarterbacks vying to start.

"“When I put my helmet on, who would have thought a year ago I never thought I was here. But I’m looking forward to the future and hopefully there’s a lot more football to be played for me. But you do cherish it knowing that it’s your last time in college football.”Many times I’ve thrown with Tate in 1-on-1s, but I’ve thrown with all the quarterbacks 1-on-1 so I try to get a chemistry with all of them and try to learn their styles.We definitely have put in some extra work so I guess you could say that we have some chemistry, but I feel like I have chemistry with all the quarterbacks. Honestly there is so much going on that whoever is in the huddle, I go with.I don’t examine who I’m going with. I just go in the huddle, but I think all of them did good. Tate looks really good, N’Kosi, Jarren, everybody looked good.”"

Osborn is the type of leader the Hurricanes offense and receiving corps needed. Thomas and fellow junior Mike Harley are the most experienced wide receivers Miami has other than Osborn. Harley hasn’t received a lot of playing time and Thomas has had off the field troubles. Osborn should stabilize the offense and receiving corps.