The Miami Hurricanes will likely be using a committee at wide receiver as the depth chart for Virginia on Saturday lists nine co-starters.
The Miami Hurricanes need more production out of their wide receivers. In an apparent attempt to incite competition the top nine WRs on the Miami roster are listed as co-starters on the roster for Saturday’s game against Virginia. Mike Harley has 17 receptions for 174 yards and Mark Pope 15-185 to lead Miami WRs.
Harley is rated the 189th best WR by Pro Football Focus. Pope is 204th. Dee Wiggins is 246th. Miami needs better production as the season progresses. Only Harley, Wiggins and Pope have extensive experience of the nine WRs listed as co-starters. The list includes redshirt freshman Jeremiah Payton and four true freshmen.
In the last few seasons, Miami has had to rely on freshmen throughout their roster too frequently. Miami head coach Manny Diaz has often spoken about using the transfer portal to upgrade the maturity on the Miami roster. In 2020, graduate transfer WR K.J. Osborn led Miami in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs.
Redshirt junior Marshall Few is a former walk-on with one reception for six yards this season and for his career. Redshirt freshmen Jeremiah Payton and true freshmen Michael Redding III, Keyshawn Smith, Dazalin Worsham and Xavier Restrepo have made little to no impact this season. Miami listed the WRs on the depth chart.
It is open competition at wide receiver for Miami. Dee Wiggins, Mark Pope, Mike Harley, Michael Redding III, Keyshawn Smith, Jeremiah Payton, Dazalin Worsham, Xavier Restrepo and Marshall Few are all listed with "or" as potential starting wide receiver on the new depth chart. pic.twitter.com/xL2hdobhIl
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) October 19, 2020
Wiggins has not had the impact as a deep threat for Miami in the passing game that he had in 2019 other than a 40-yard TD reception against Florida State. Wiggins has not topped 25 yards in another game this season. Smith has the longest reception by a Miami freshman with a 42-yard catch against Clemson.
Miami freshmen running backs Don Chaney Jr. and Jaylan Knighton are a significant part of the offense this season. Knighton had a 75-yard TD reception against Louisville. Getting Knighton more touches, especially in the passing game will help the Miami offense. It will be interesting to see how the receiving corps develops.