Miami football: 2020 Freshmen likely to contribute the most

Smith also contributed in the passing game, running game and special teams with scores in all phases. Smith somehow flew under the radar of most major programs. He was quite frankly a steal after a monster senior campaign.  Smith is known for his ability to win jump balls and uncanny ability to make highlight-reel plays.

The Miami offense will need to replace 2019 top receiver K.J. Osborn and Jeff Thomas who was Miami’s number three WR. While there are more than a few guys already on campus and with experience don’t count out Smith from cracking the rotation.

Mark Pope, Dee Wiggins and Mike Harley have shown flashes but need consistency. Rising redshirt freshman Jeremiah Peyton is expected to be a breakout player but the competition will be steep. Incoming freshmen Michael Redding III and Daz Worsham are dealing with injuries as they head into their first spring.

Smith is in prime position to earn playing time early.

The 2019 class had 10 total defensive signees coming out of high school. While a number of freshmen are expected to have much larger roles in 2020, the bulk of them didn’t contribute in a big way in 2019. Some of the freshman defensive players saw a solid amount of special teams action.

Cornerbacks Christian Williams and Te‘Cory Couch were the only two freshmen defensive players who received “serious action” on the defensive side of the ball for the Miami football team in 2019. Couch and Williams didn’t receive many snaps in crucial moments in 2019.