The Miami Hurricanes wide receivers returning in 2020 vastly underachieved in 2019. All the Miami WRs get a fresh start with new position coach Rob Likens.
The hiring of Rob Likens as the new wide receivers coach for the Miami Hurricanes fits well with new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and the up-tempo spread offense they will run this fall. Likens has experience in the spread as an offensive coordinator and WR coach. Likens spoke to Miami beat reporters earlier this week.
Likens is tasked with getting more out of the Miami Hurricanes WRs than they have produced during the last two seasons. Rising senior Mike Harley is the only WR returning for Miami in 2020 had more than 20 receptions in 2019. Harley leads the returning Miami WRs with 38 receptions for 485 yards.
Harley is second among returnees to Dee Wiggins with three touchdowns. Wiggins finished 2019 with 20 receptions for 335 yards and four TDs. As a sophomore, Wiggins became Miami’s big-play receiver. Wiggins had a 56-yard TD reception against Florida State and added 67 and 10-yard scoring plays against Louisville.
Likens had a conference call with reporters earlier this week to discuss his philosophy and his perception of the WRs Miami has on their roster. Expect the simple playbook to help the Miami receivers and for the ball to be spread around as much as possible. Likens has used as many as 10 receivers in a game.
"“We understand that it’s very important we don’t make this thing hard. It’s a proven fact when you don’t have a whole lot to think about, you can just go out and play freely. And that’s what we’re hoping is going to happen with this new offense. Because you have to game plan more, do different things, be more creativeI saw flashes out of some guys, but it’s so hard to tell in just one week, especially because it’s new…you know, playing fast and fatigue had some things to do with it. Guys weren’t all the way in spring training shape yet. All to me showed flashes of the type of guys that you want to have in this offense.I would put [redshirt freshman] Jeremiah Payton in that same category (with Wiggins). Those two guys look like they’re pretty route savvy and…they’re longer. You like those guys on the outside. They can run some deep balls. They got some speed to do that.They also have the quickness to be able to run some decent intermediate routes. They have great ball skills. They’re long, they’re athletic, they have pretty big catch radiuses. And those are guys that you can project are going to be pretty good at the outside receiver.”"
Mark Pope entered Miami as a five-star signee in 2018 according to Rivals.Com. After a lost freshman year, Pope improved greatly but was far from the potential expected of him when he signed with Miami. Likens stated Pope is the type of WR he loves and that the rising junior has freakish skills.
"“Is the kind of guy I really like — the 6-footish-type guys somewhere around the 180 realm. I’ve had success with those guys in my past because they really have good lateral moment. Even though they may not be the 6-4, 6-3 body frame, they’re able to get off press coverage.The guys that play on the outside, they gotta be able to get off press coverage… freakish quick skills…in the open field with the ball in his hand” once during spring.”"
Harley is expected to be the leader of the Miami WR corps in 2020 on and off the field. He is the only senior among the receiving corps, including the tight ends. Likens loves the leadership that Harley provides and his willingness to catch balls across the middle. As a slot receiver, Harley will be busy in the middle of the field.
"“Loves his leadership…courageous across the middle. He’s not afraid and that’s what you need with some guys that are going to play in the inside.”"
Four WRs signed with the Miami Hurricanes category 20 Class. Xavier Restrepo is expected to succeed Harley as the slot receiver after this season. Keyshawn Smith was a late signee, but early enrollee with Miami after getting out of his Letter of Intent with Washington State following Mike Leach’s departure to Mississippi State.
"“I call him the X-Man. I thought he did a really good job playing slot in the spring. Really smart, absolutely loves football — that’s what I love about him. That’s what’s going to make the kid successful.’’"
Smith provides the Miami Hurricanes with another speed receiver. Likens did not mention Michael Redding III who is the only four-star WR Miami signed this spring and who was out with an injury or Daz Worsham. Restrepo and Smith stood out to Likens most.
"“It’s kind of so hard, guys, because we were trying to find who the No. 1 guys were. Those two freshmen kind of stood out to me the most.’’"
Miami needs increased production from its receivers in 2020. No Hurricanes WRs finished in the top 100 in receptions or receiving yards in 2019. If that’s the case in 2020, Miami needs it to be more a product of Likens and Lashlee getting production out of multiple receivers than the passing offense failing to live up to expectations.