The snap distribution at wide receiver for the Miami Hurricanes will be altered on Saturday with Jeremiah Payton likely out.
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Jeremiah Payton reportedly did not travel with the team to Louisville. Payton had one reception for 13 yards and played 29 snaps in the season opener against UAB. That was the fourth most behind starters Dee Wiggins who played 70, Mike Harley with 53 and Mark Pope with 47.
Former walkon Marshall Few played 16 snaps and true freshman Michael Redding III played 12. No other WRs played for Miami against UAB. Expect the snaps vacated by Payton to be spread out via committee. Few and Redding should receive more snaps than last week. Three freshman Miami WRs could make their debuts.
Xavier Restrepo shined during the scrimmages for Miami during the preseason. Keyshawn Smith has impressed with his speed and Daz Worsham has the potential to get a few snaps. Miami could use junior tight ends Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory split out wide in some formations against Louisville.
Jordan played five snaps in the backfield, 16 inline, 41 in the slot and four wide according to Pro Football Focus. Mallory played five in the backfield, 15 inline, seven in the slot and two out wide. New offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee likes to use his TEs. Expect more of Jordan and Mallory against Louisville.
The possibility also exists for Lashlee to give more snaps to Harley, Pope and Wiggins. Wiggins had the best game of his career last season against Louisville with three receptions for 85 yards and two TDs. Miami will need their passing game to evolve from their performance against UAB.
Miami quarterback D’Eriq King was 15-23 for 141 yards and one TD to Jordan. Jordan finished with three receptions for 51 yards and was the leading receiver for the Hurricanes against the Blazers. Harley had 3-27 and Wiggins 3-25. Miami should be expected to take more deep shots against Louisville than they did against UAB.