Miami football 4-star TE Commit Elijah Arroyo expected to move up rankings

When the new updates for offensive players in the Class of 2021 are released June 17 from 247 Sports, Miami football 2021 four-star commit, tight end Elijah Arroyo is expected to move up in the rankings.

Elijah Arroyo was the first four-star receiver and second tight end to commit to the Miami football program in the 2021 recruiting class. Arroyo is the 330th ranked player, 13th ranked tight end and 48th ranked player in Texas in the Class of 2021. Arroyo is currently the sixth highest-ranked player in the Miami Class of 2021.

The Miami football program has four scholarship TEs on the roster for 2020. Junior Brevin Jordan is expected to leave following the season and be a first (first round) or second (second or third round) day selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. That leaves Junior Will Mallory, redshirt freshman Larry Hodges and freshman Dominic Mammarelli.

Three-star Khalil Brantley is also committed to Miami at TE for 2021. Barton Simmons, the Director of Scouting for 247Sports is high on the natural athletic ability that Arroyo has and he often been praised for his speed. Simmons calls Arroyo the prototype of a modern-day TE. At 6’4., 210 pounds, Arroyo has ideal size.

Arroyo is going to have to get in the weight room and work with Miami Strength and Conditioning Coordinator David Feeley. At 210 pounds, Arroyo is 20 pounds less than any of the scholarship TEs currently on the Miami football roster. Simmons’ complete analysis of Arroyo describes the nearly perfect package for a TE.

"“When you start to look at all the tight ends nationally, Arroyo is one of the guys that really jumps out at me in terms of his natural athletic movements, his ball skills, run-after-catch and mismatch ability. He fits the modern day mold of what we’re looking for as a pass-game weapon with an upside body.”Despite living in the Dallas Metroplex, Arroyo was born in Florida and grew up a Miami fan. He committed to the Hurricanes on May 3."

Arroyo’s decision to commit to Miami realizes a life long dream to play for the Hurricanes. Although he currently lives in Dallas, Arroyo spent his early childhood in South Florida and is a Miami fan. Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and TEs coach Stephen Field received credit for Arroyo’s commitment.

With Jordan likely moving on to the NFL in 2021, if Mallory stays for his senior season as expected, he will likely be the starting TE. That will provide Arroyo with a season to contribute before becoming the starting TE. Arroyo graded out at 89.25, Jordan 98.20 and Mallory 91.83 coming out of high school.

In the Class of 2018, Jordan was the top-ranked TE and Mallory was eighth. Lashlee was familiar with Arroyo as the offensive coordinator at SMU the last two years. The athletic ability of the Arroyo and the Miami TEs perfectly fit his system according to Lashlee as quoted by Inside the U last month.

"“I would argue our system fits athletic tight ends as good as anybody around the country.”"

With the TEs currently on the roster and Arroyo and Brantley commited for the future the TE U monicker at Miami should continue to thrive into the future. Brantley is also an athletic TE who will contribute for the Hurricanes in the future.