Miami football 2021 signee Jacolby George matches offensive style
Jacolby George is one of three four-star wide receivers with Romello Brinson and Breshard Smith, that signed with the Miami football program in 2021. All three have the potential to become game-changing players in the Hurricanes passing game during their collegiate careers. George matches the Miami offensive style.
Miami switched from a pro-style offense in previous coaching regimes to an uptempo spread under new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee last season. Signing shifty, downfield WRs with speed are the type of pass catches Lashlee wants in his offense. Miami was short of WRs to take the top off of defenses last season.
In addition to making an impact in the Miami passing game, head coach Manny Diaz believes that George can contribute to special teams. In his sophomore and junior seasons in 2018 and 2019, George had 60 receptions for 1,335 yards and 18 touchdowns and added 191 rushing yards on six carries with three TDs.
Earlier this week Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald quoted Diaz discussing what Brinson, George and Smith bring to the Miami football program. George is ranked as the 173rd player, 29th ranked WR and 24th ranked player in Florida in the Class of 2021 according to the 247 sports composite.
"“Obviously going to an up-tempo spread offense (last season), (wide receivers coach) Rob Likens had to go out and find some wide receivers that really matched the style of play we want to play with…Jacolby is right in there.A great skill set that can give us more weapons down the field for the quarterbacks, but also provide value in the kicking game. We were inconsistent at punt returner this year. He’s a guy who is a natural punt-catcher and then he’s got the ability to get to the edge of the field and take it all the way.He certainly will be in the mix as some of our other freshmen will be as a punt returner. In a quick spread throw, the guy can take a one-yard throw and turn it into a long play. Even down in the red zone, he has beautiful body control, catches the ball. An underrated thing is how he can catch the ball over his outside shoulder.”"
The Miami Hurricanes had one of the worst return units in college football in 2020. Miami finished 123rd averaging 2.2 yards per punt return and 59th averaging 20.55 yards per kickoff return. The Hurricanes have not had a kickoff return for a touchdown since the eight lateral Miracle in Durham in 2015.
dark. Next. Miami tried to find returners during spring practice
Someone needs to step up and give the Miami football team a competent return game in 2021. The 2.2 yards per punt return puts the Hurricanes offense at a disadvantage after a defensive stop. George will be one of many Hurricanes competing to return kicks and punts during training camp in August.