Miami Hurricanes TE U should continue for foreseeable future
The tradition of the Miami Hurricanes developing tight ends has had a resurgence recently. Miami should continue to have elite play at tight end for the foreseeable future. The Hurricanes lost Brevin Jordan, but return Will Mallory and signed four-star Elijah Arroyo who is projected to be the next great Miami TE.
Mallory had career highs with 22 receptions for 329 yards and four touchdowns in 2020. With a 15.0 yards per reception average, Mallory was second on the Miami Hurricanes for anyone with more than two receptions in 2020. Jordan led Hurricanes receivers who had more than two receptions in 2020 with 15.0 YPC.
In addition to Mallory and Arroyo, Miami will also have Larry Hodges and Dominick Mammarelli on the 2021 roster. Arroyo will almost certainly pass Hodges and Mammarelli on the depth chart. Arroyo is the second-highest-rated signee on offense in 2021 and is an early enrollee. There should be competition at TE this spring.
Mallory is the clear first-team TE, but although Arroyo should be expected to be the second-team TE, he is going to have to earn his way up the depth chart this spring and in training camp in August. Mallory and Jordan never became the dynamic threat and matchup problems for opponents as was projected.
Mallory has two years of eligibility remaining but can enter the 2022 NFL Draft. The athleticism that Arroyo and Mallory possess could present matchup problems for opponents in 2021. Part of the problem with Jordan and Mallory is that both dealt with injuries over the past few years. Mallory thrived when Jordan was hurt.
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In the three games Jordan missed in 2020, Mallory had 10 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown. With Jordan out for the final four games of the 2019 season, Mallory had 13 receptions for 223 yards and another TD. Mallory should have a breakout season in 2021 with Jordan moving on to the NFL.