Five Miami football players that should challenge for first team this spring
The Miami receiving corps underachieved in 2019. None of the Miami Hurricanes wide receivers finished in the top 200 in any major categories. The Hurricanes enter 2020 with new WR coach Rob Likens hoping to develop playmakers as he did during his tenure at Arizona State. Former ASU WR N’Keal Harry was a 2019 first-round pick.
Senior Mike Harley who leads the Miami returnees in receptions and juniors Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins are the projected starting receivers for the Hurricanes this fall. Harley is likely to step into the role as the possession receiver vacated by Osborne. Wiggins showed big-play potential last season in the deep passing game.
Pope was a highly touted receiver when he signed with Miami in 2018 that has yet to show the consistency expected of him when he entered college. Pope could potentially figure into the return game for Miami this fall as well. A strong group of freshman receivers is likely to push Harley, Pope and Wiggins in 2020.
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That group will be led by redshirt freshman Jeremiah Payton. Payton recorded one reception for 23 yards last season as he took a redshirt. Payton was viewed by some as the best receiver Miami had last season during practice. Lake’s Inside the U colleague and the site publisher Christopher Stock observed Payton on Tuesday.
Stock reported that Payton is ready for a breakout season in 2020. Payton showed a diverse skill set utilizing his speed, good movement out of his breaks, and good but not great size length and hands. Stock also stated that Payton was focused and dedicated to making the most out of his reps during practice.