Miami Hurricanes HC Manny Diaz calls 2021 signee Brashard Smith a winner
Miami Hurricanes 2021 signee Brashard Smith is the type of versatile, fast player offenses are searching for in modern football. Smith will line in various places throughout the Miami offense during his Hurricanes career. As a freshman, Smith might be able to make an impact as a returner at the least.
Smith will provide the Miami Hurricanes with a player willing to play wherever he is needed and a shifty explosive player on offense and special teams. According to 247Sports.Com, Smith ran a 4.46 40-yard dash. At 5’8.5, 177 pounds, Smith is the perfect slot receiver. Xavier Restrepo is the favorite to start at slot WR in 2022.
As a junior in 2019, Smith had 36 receptions for 628 yards receiving, averaged 17.4 yards per catch, and 13 touchdowns. Smith also had a 98-yard kickoff return for a TD in 2019. The 2021 Miami class has three WRs who will likely make an impact in the future. Romello Brinson, Jacolby George and Smith are all four-star signees.
The Rhett Lashlee offense should continue to develop in the second year. As the recruiting classes continue to stack, Lashlee will be able to add more players that fit his offense. Smith is the exact type of player Miami needs in their up-tempo spread. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald quoted head Manny Diaz discussing Smith.
"“There are great players and there are game-winners and Brashard is a game-winner…A guy that can line up in so many different ways and find a way to make plays. He had to play quarterback in the playoffs for his high school team, made a deep run in the playoffs. He can about do anything he wants.He is that talented, a very special young man that we’re super excited to get in here very soon. He tracks the ball very well, makes tough, contested catches for a touchdown. He lined up at quarterback in the Wildcat. He has great lower body strength and acceleration through the hole. He has a great run-after-catch ability.He’s like a dart once he sees daylight. A guy that on a 3rd-and-10 you throw it to him with five yards to gain and somehow he’s going to make three guys miss.”"
Smith has versatility similar to former Miami Hurricanes running back DeeJay Dallas. Dallas came to Miami listed as a high school quarterback, ranked as an athlete by recruiting services who was initially a WR for Miami and eventually converted to running back. Smith seems destined to stay at WR but be used in multiple ways.
Next. Brashard Smith could be next Tyreke Hill. dark
Lashlee occasionally used the Wildcat in 2020. With Smith on the Hurricanes roster in 2021, Miami might be more inclined to utilize the Wildcat more often in 2021. Speed is becoming increasingly more important in modern football. Under Jimmy Johnson in the 1980s, Miami was one of the first programs to emphasize speed.