Miami football commit WR Michael Redding III zooms up ESPN 300

Wide receiver Michael Redding III who is one of the top recruits to the Miami football program for 2020 has zoomed up the ESPN 300. Redding’s ascension in the rankings is a welcome change from many of the Miami recruits.

The usual shift in the recruiting rankings for the commits to the Miami football team is that players fall down the list. The ascension of wide receiver Michael Redding III on the 2020 list is a welcome change for the Hurricanes. The profile of Redding came in an ESPN article titled “College football recruiting rankings: What you need to know.”

Redding III is the ESPN’s 214th ranked player nationally, the 35th best wide receiver and 34th ranked player in Florida per the mothership’s rankings. Redding is the fifth-ranked player in the 2020 recruiting class for the Miami football program and the fourth-ranked offensive player. He should boost an offense that needs playmakers.

Graduate transfer K.J. Osborn is the only wide receiver that the Miami football program will definitely lose after the 2019 season. Junior Jeff Thomas could leave early for the NFL Draft and there is always the possibility that one of the other wide receivers could transfer. Redding is one of three WRs committed to Miami for 2020.

Marcus Fleming from Miami Northwestern is the nation’s 35th ranked WR for 2020 by ESPN and Marcus Clarke from Winter Park, Florida is 142nd nationally. Fleming will provide Miami with some much-needed size at WR. The Hurricanes top four WR in 2019 mostly lack size. Thomas and classmate junior Mike Harley are sub 6’0.

Osborn, sophomore Mark Pope and freshman Jeremiah Payton are 6’1. Sophomores Brian Hightower and Dee Wiggins are 6’3. Osborn, Thomas, Harley and Pope are the primary WRs for Miami this season. Thomas leads the Miami WRs in receptions, Osborn in receiving TDs and receiving yards.

In the ESPN profile of Redding, they were impressed with his size, speed and athleticism. The mothership likes Redding’s potential as a playmaker on the perimeter and his body control. He has the ability to make tough catches and will have the chance to make up for losing Osborn after the 2019 season.

"“Michael ReddingWe have had a chance to see the Miami commit in person a few times this fall and he has impressed, making a jump into the ESPN 300 an easy decision. A receiver with a big frame, top-end speed and athleticism, Redding can be a playmaker out wide and with excellent body control.He makes difficult catches look routine. Another rise is still possible with more high-profile games to play at IMG as well as a chance to compete at the Under Armour All-America Game.”"

If all of the Miami WRs return from the 2019 roster sans Osborn, Redding will have a lot of competition for playing time. Hightower flashed potential as a freshman but has not been in the box score much since his breakout debut against LSU in his inaugural collegiate game in 2018. Pope is having an impressive 2019 season.

The potential is there for Thomas to leave for the NFL after the 2019 season. He has dealt with a lot during his three seasons in Coral Gables. No matter who returns, the Miami football program will improve their depth at WR with the addition of Redding.