Miami Hurricanes wide receivers are developing confidence in young quarterbacks Jake Garcia and Tyler Van Dyke with D’Eriq King out this spring after tearing his ACL during the Cheez-It Bowl loss to Oklahoma State in December. Second-year freshman Xavier Restrepo shined for Miami during scrimmages the last two years.
Miami has spent the last year developing a rapport with King. With the Miami Hurricanes leader out this spring, Garcia and Van Dyke are beginning to create their own legacy this spring. Whoever emerges this spring or after training camp in August as the second-team QB for the 2021 season will be the favorite to start in 2022.
Garcia and Van Dyke are showing their own leadership qualities this spring and the abilities they have on the field. Miami is stockpiling needed talent at QB preparing for the departure of King following the 2021 season. The Hurricanes received a commitment from 2022 four-star QB Jacurri Brown on Friday.
After practice on Tuesday, Restrepo spoke about the development of Garcia and Van Dyke. Restrepo will likely backup Mike Harley as the slot receiver in 2021. In the first scrimmage this spring, on Saturday Restrepo had nine receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
"“I actually room with Tyler, and he has an amazing arm…I can say the same about Jake. They’re both students of the game, and they know what’s coming preplay and they’re just really good. They put the ball right in the air where it needs to be.’ For sure…a lot of confidence…We already have a chemistry with D’Eriq.Getting those chemistries with the other quarterbacks as well just makes us a stronger unit in total. As a whole we just need to get better at catching the ball. Knowing that our athletic abilities are going to take over as soon as we catch (the ball). That’s exactly what we’re working on at Greentree every single day.”"
Restrepo has shown the ability to operate in space since arriving at Miami. Former Miami leading receiver Braxton Berrios has often been the comparison used for Restrepo. If he is able to duplicate the success Berrios had, especially as a senior in 2021, he will be the WR either Garcia or Van Dyke look for to get a first down.
The confidence that Restrepo alluded to for Garcia and Van Dyke and the leadership they are developing is important for the Miami QB room in the future. Prior to the arrival of King in January 2020, Miami needed greater consistency, leadership and someone to help change the culture. Garcia and Van Dyke are excellent leaders.