The commitment by four-star wide receiver Kevin Coleman to Jackson State on Saturday was shocking. Most national recruiting experts projected the Miami Hurricanes to pick up a commitment from Coleman over Florida State. Wide receiver is one of the deepest position units for Miami entering 2022.
Coleman is the 44th ranked player, fourth-ranked WR and top-rated in Missouri for 2022. Jackson State picked up its second top 50 player in 2022 with Coleman. Last month, five-star cornerback Travis Hunter, the number one ranked player in the Class of 2022 flipped from FSU to Jackson State on Early National Signing Day.
Miami has recruited well at WR in the last two classes. Miami loses leading receivers Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo but talented players behind them received valuable snaps in 2021. Keyshawn Smith leads the returning Miami WRs with 26 receptions and Xavier Restrepo leads all Miami returnees with 373 yards receiving.
Entering their third seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, Restrepo and Smith will have bigger roles in 2022. Romello Brinson, Jacolby George and Brashard Smith also showed their ability in 2021. Brinson provides Miami good size at 6’2, George was impressive at 50/50 balls and Smith showed explosiveness in 2021.
Miami also signed 6’3, four-star WR Isaiah Horton last month. The Hurricanes are also expected to return 2020 signees Michael Redding III and Dazalin Worsham who have made minimal impacts in their Miami careers. Coleman would have had a tough challenge to earn significant playing time with Miami.
Brinson, George and Brashard Smith were able to assert themselves as true freshmen. Former starters Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins transferred with decreased playing time. Pope ironically will play this fall at Jackson State. Wiggins transferred to Louisville who he burned for three receptions for 85 yards and two TDs in 2019.
The decision by Coleman to go to Jackson State gives head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff another direction to go with that scholarship. Miami needs help on both lines and especially at linebacker. With 24 days remaining to National Signing Day expect Miami to be busy recruiting high school players and through the transfer portal.