Miami football 2021 class moves up to 11th with Jacolby George commitment

The commitment of four-star wide receiver Jacolby George to the 2021 recruiting class for the Miami football program moves the Hurricanes from 15th to 11th nationally.

Four-star wide receiver Jacolby George committed to the Miami football program on Wednesday The commitment came as surprise, three days before George was expected to announce his commitment on Saturday. George becomes the second-highest-rated commit to Miami for 2021.

Guard Laurence Seymore who is the 158th ranked player in the Class of 2021 and rated at 0.9311 is currently the highest-rated commit to Miami. George is the 178th ranked player in the nation, 34th ranked WR and 26th ranked player in Florida in the Class of 2021. George announced his commitment via a Twitter press release.

As the first wide receiver and highest-ranked skill position player currently committed to the Miami football program for 2021, George can be the cornerstone recruit in the class. George is the first wide receiver committed to Miami for 2021. The Hurricanes currently have one running back and two tight ends committed for 2021.

Four-star RB Thad Franklin and TEs, four-star Elijah Arroyo and three-star Khalil Brantley have already committed to Miami. Miami is expected to return all but Mike Harley to their WR corps in 2021. Rising 2020 juniors Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins are eligible to enter the 2021 NFL Draft but have a lot of work to do.

Harley is a senior in 2020. Miami added four WRs in the class of 2020. Michael Redding II, Dazalin Worsham, Keyshawn Smith and Xavier Restrepo form a mostly inexperienced WR corps for Miami with redshirt freshman Jeremiah Payton behind Harley, Pope and Wiggins, George adds a versatile receiver for 2021.

Jacolby George and David Feeley have work to do

At 5’11, 161 pounds, George will have work to do with Miami strength and conditioning coach David Feeley when he arrives in Coral Gables. There has been no indication if George will be an early enrollee in January. With his slight stature, George is a good candidate to enroll early and work with Feeley.

George will provide the Miami football program with a versatile receiver who can play in the slot or on the outside. Getting stronger is going to be critical for George at the next level. Already developed as a route runner, getting used the physicality in college will be an adjustment for George. Andrew Ivins of Inside the U analyzed George.

"Small in stature, but hardly developed physically which means that he should only get bigger once lifting on a regular basis. A crafty route runner that gets quickly in and out of his breaks. Makes difficult catches look relatively easy. Understands how to find space in a defense. Can work the slot or on the outside.Won’t be able to shy away from contact in college which means that he needs to get more comfortable taking hits. Needs to also get better at blocking. Has the chance to become a regular starter for a Power 5 program with the potential there to eventually find his way onto an NFL roster."

The four wide receivers a year ahead of George, plus Payton and potentially Pope and Wiggins will make it a challenge for George to get a lot of playing time as a freshman. The potential seems to be there that Miami could decide to redshirt George in 2021 to get stronger as Payton did in 2019.

New Miami wide receivers coach Rob Likens who as had a wideout taken in the first round in each of the last two NFL Drafts from Arizona State has said he likes his WRs around 6’0 to get in and out of breaks easier has George nearly perfectly fitting that mold. Likens and running coach Eric Hickson get credit for George’s commitment.