Miami Hurricanes TE Will Mallory Top 15 player making 2021 jump

Miami Hurricanes tight end Will Mallory was named one of 15 players in a “Leap Year: Players making a jump in 2021.” Mallory steps up as the first-team TE replacing Brevin Jordan who left for the NFL. Mallory has the potential to exceed the 38 receptions for 576 yards and seven touchdowns Jordan had in 2020.

Mallory had 22 receptions for 329 yards and four TDs in 2020. The biggest numbers that Mallory has put up throughout his Miami career have come with Jordan out.  In the six games that Jordan missed in 2019 and 2020, Mallory had 22 receptions for 393 yards and two TDs. Mallory can exceed those numbers per game.

Even with those numbers doubled over the course of what would be a full season, Mallory would exceed the career highs that Jordan set with 38 receptions and 576 receiving yards in 2020. Mallory has to become a key target in the red zone. In 2020 Mallory was a big play receiver for Miami.

Mallory had 15 receptions for first downs in 2020, nine catches for 25 yards or more and six of 15 plus yards. Three ACC players were named as those expected to make a jump by Blake Brockermeyer of 247 Sports. Wide receivers Ajou Ajou of Clemson and Josh Downs of North Carolina were the other two.

"MIAMI TE WILL MALLORY“Will Mallory might be the best TE in the ACC when he’s healthy. Last year, he was not. He’s averaged about 20 catches for 300 and 3 TD’s the last two seasons, solid work, but he has way more in the tank. Mallory is the guy this year with Brevin Jordan gone to the NFL.Rhett Lashlee loves big-bodied tight ends and Mallory is poised to have a big year with soft hands and enormous catch radius.”"

Mallory should be one of the three leading receivers for Miami in 2021 with WRs Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo. By making a jump in 2021, Mallory has a chance to live up to the projection by Brockermeyer as potentially the best TE in the ACC. A big year from Mallory will also greatly improve his 2022 NFL Draft stock.

Staying healthy will be the key for Mallory after missing the spring with an ankle injury. Mallory will bring impressive speed for Miami at TE. Head coach Manny Diaz was looking forward to hearing what the miles per hour Mallory recorded on an 88-yard TD in the final scrimmage on Friday.