Miami Hurricanes WR Xavier Restrepo has breakout scrimmage

Freshman slot receiver Xavier Restrepo who has a bright future ahead of him with the Miami Hurricanes had a breakout scrimmage on Saturday with nine receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Restrepo was impressive last year during scrimmages but did not make much of an impact last fall.

Restrepo had one reception for 12 yards and three punt returns for nine yards in 2020. Senior Mike Harley led the Miami Hurricanes with 59 receptions for 799 yards and tied for the team lead with departed tight end Brevin Jordan with seven touchdowns. Restrepo is the likely heir to Harley in the slot after the 2021 season.

Miami is one of seven wide receivers Miami has signed in the last two classes. Speedy 2021 signee Breshard Smith also is likely to have a bright future in the slot. Smith was not an early enrollee and therefore not participating in spring practice. Restrepo was catching passes from a pair of young Miami QBs on Saturday.

With starting QB D’Eriq King out during the spring, Freshman Jake Garcia and second-year freshman Tyler Van Dyke are getting a chance to build a rapport with the young Miami WRs. Harley impressed with two receptions for 75 yards and a TD. Head coach Manny Diaz praised Restrepo.

"“He’s willing himself into becoming a guy…and he has such great competitive spirit. Those are not easy yards. He made tough catches and run-after-catches and breaking tackles.’’"

Restrepo did what is expected as a slot receiver. The South Florida native has often been compared to Braxton Berrios who led Miami in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2017 for the Hurricanes ACC Coastal Division Championship team.

Harley is in his last season of eligibility in 2021. Miami WRs Mark Pope, Charleston Rambo, Jeremiah Payton and Dee Wiggins all have the option of entering the 2022 NFL Draft. With Restrepo and the other young Miami WRs on the roster, the Hurricanes should remain strong at the position in the near future.