Manny Diaz expects Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins entering transfer portal

The emergence of younger wide receivers on the Miami Hurricanes roster has led to the expectation by head coach Manny Diaz that fourth-year juniors Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins will enter the transfer portal. Diaz hinted last week that several Hurricanes could enter the transfer portal.

Neither Pope nor Wiggins has officially entered the transfer portal yet. During his weekly meeting with reporters on Monday Manny Diaz discussed the observation by reporters that Wiggins was removed from the depth chart this week. Pope had previously moved to cornerback this season and had been off the WR depth chart.

Pope and Wiggins who have 30 starts between them were passed on the depth chart during training camp by second-year freshmen Xavier Restrepo and Keyshawn Smith. In career games, Pope will finish with 52 receptions for 680 yards and four touchdowns. Wiggins has 62 receptions for 791 yards and seven TDs with Miami.

Smith is third on Miami with 20 receptions and third with 239 receiving yards. Restrepo is third on Miami with 236 receiving yards this season on 12 receptions with one TD. Miami has primarily a young WR corps with a good future. True freshmen Romello Brinson, Jacolby George and Brashard Smith have all flashed potential.

"“We took Dee and Mark off the depth chart. They’re both not officially in the portal yet. But that’s probably what we’d expect to have happen.”"

Charleston Rambo has been the go-to receiver for Miami as promised after transferring from Oklahoma. Rambo leads Miami with 35 receptions for 421 yards and is tied with fifth-year senior Mike Harley with two TDs. Harley had 25 receptions for 229 yards. The freshmen WRs made the depth chart this week.

Brinson is behind Keyshawn Smith and second-year freshman Michael Redding III. George is behind Rambo and Brashard Smith is the third-team slot receiver behind Harley and Restrepo. The Miami depth chart has turned over often this season due to injuries and (lack of) performance. That should continue throughout 2021.

The young Miami WRs have flashed the ability to make plays this season. With second-year freshman QB Tyler Van Dyke starting in place of injured D’Eriq King, the young Miami WRs should have a familiarity with the young Hurricanes’ signal-caller. The last six games are critical for the future of the Miami offense.