Miami Hurricanes OC Rhett Lashlee compares Elijah Arroyo to Brevin Jordan
The Miami Hurricanes lost only five players from their 2020 team, but one is starting tight end Brevin Jordan who tied for the team lead in touchdowns last season. Will Mallory will replace Jordan as the starting TE, but 2021 signee Elijah Arroyo is the one with a similar skill set to Jordan according to offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.
Arroyo is the second-highest ranked of the eight Miami early enrollees and the fifth-ranked on offense overall in the Hurricanes 2021 Signing Class. Like Jordan, Arroyo will be used in multiple positions throughout the Miami offense. Jordan lined up most often in the slot in 2020 by an almost two to one margin over inline.
The Miami Hurricanes also used Jordan occasionally in the backfield and about three times per game out wide. Jordan and Mallory never lived up the to promise expected of being a matchup problem for opponents. Arroyo and Mallory will attempt to make it difficult to defend their size and athletic ability in 2021.
Jordan had 38 receptions for 576 yards and seven TDs in 2020. Mallory had 22 for 329 and four TDs. Lashlee has proven to have confidence in his TEs. Prior to coming to Miami Lashlee frequently used the TE in his past coaching stops. Lashlee compared Arroyo to Jordan in a zoom meeting with reporters last week.
"“We’re excited about him; he’s 6-4, athletic, plays like a receiver in a tight end’s body, in a lot of ways like Brevin Jordan does…He’s that style of player, which is big for us.”"
As an early enrollee, Arroyo has a chance to learn the Lashlee offense during spring practice and get on the field this fall. Arroyo and Mallory will have the opportunity to work together and it will give Lashlee the remainder of the offseason to develop the offense knowing how they complement each other.
Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke expected to receive bulk of spring snaps. dark. Next
Miami also has Larry Hodges and Dominic Mammerelli backing up Mallory and likely Arroyo who is far more athletic gifted than they are. Three-star Khalil Brantley is another signee by Miami at TE in the Class of 2021. Mallory has two seasons of eligibility remaining but has the option of entering the 2022 NFL Draft.