Miami Hurricanes WRs need to have Reggie Wayne attitude of not being substituted
Miami Hurricanes football alums from their championship era have stated almost unanimously that the most difficult competition they faced was on the Greentree Practice Fields. Former Miami wide receiver Reggie Wayne stated he was hesitant to be substituted.
During the ReUnion aired on Fox Sports 1 during Superbowl week, Miami Hurricanes all-time leading receiver Reggie Wayne joined his peers, Miami alums and Pro Football Hall of Famers Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis and the most recent addition to the Miami football staff Ed Reed to discuss the U.
Wayne recorded 173 receptions for the Miami Hurricanes between 1997-2000. Only Stacy Coley is within 25 receptions of Wayne in Miami history. The other receivers during the four seasons Wayne spent in a Miami uniform were exceptional. He started with Santana Moss who is the Hurricanes all-time leader in receiving yards.
Behind Wayne and Moss was future Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Johnson. After Wayne and Moss exhausted their eligibility following the 2000 season, Johnson became quarterback Ken Dorsey’s go-to receiver during the Hurricanes 2001 National Championship campaign. Dorsey and Johnson shared the Rose Bowl MVP.
From 1983 through the mid-2000s the talent that came out of Coral Gables was legendary. It was far beyond the players mentioned above. That well has come close to drying up over about the last 15 years. Competition in practice bred hungry players. It is something current head coach Manny Diaz has spoken about often.
During the ReUnion,
about a substitution system that the wide receiver corps led by Moss and Wayne that was developed. Players in that era of Miami Hurricanes football did not want to be substituted for. The Hurricanes often had a better though less experienced player at most positions.
"“Me and Santana Moss were starting receivers. We had our own substitution. When you got tired, you tapped your helmet. Then the backup comes in. Well, I had Andre Johnson behind me. I ain’t tapping the helmet because I ain’t getting back in there.I hurt my ankle. (Former receivers coach) Curtis Johnson was like, ‘Reggie, come out.’ ‘No! I got this (Coach).’ I’m not letting him in the game. That was our motto. If you got hurt, your bad because the guy behind you is probably better than you anyway.”"
The Miami Hurricanes wide receiver corps needs to have the same mentality as Wayne did during his collegiate career. Playing with other great wide receivers carried over to the NFL for Wayne. He started opposite Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison at wide receiver, played with Hall of Famer RB to be Edgerrin James and QB Peyton Manning.
Miami does not have a lot of experience returning at wide receiver but they have plenty of talent. Former four-star signee Mike Harley is entering his senior season. In the new offense being led by recent offensive coordinator hire Rhett Lashlee, Harley needs to be the go-to WR and leader for the position.
Dee Wiggins is entering his senior season. Wiggins was a three-star signee in 2018 and he has shown signs of explosiveness on deep throws. Wiggins needs to be more consistent in 2020 and have the attitude of Wayne of not relinquishing his position. Miami also returns rising junior Mark Pope who has big-play ability.
Next. Miami Hurricanes new WR coach fits well with offensive staff. dark
Miami signed four-star wide receiver Michael Redding III and three-stars Dazalin Worsham and Keyshawn Smith. The Miami football staff is higher on Worsham and Smith than their three-star ratings would indicate. Creating competition among the WR unit will be critical for the success of the 2020 Miami offense.