Xavier Restrepo enters his third season with the Miami Hurricanes poised to become their leading receiver in 2022. Restrepo was fifth on Miami in 2021 with 24 receptions and two receiving touchdowns and third with 373 receiving yards in 2021. Restrepo will replace Mike Harley as the starting slot receiver in 2022.
Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke will be looking for a new go-to receiver in 2021 after losing Harley and Charleston Rambo who set Hurricanes records for receptions and receiving yards last season. Restrepo has often been compared to Braxton Berrios who led Miami in receptions, receiving yards and TDs in 2017.
Clemson transfer Frank Ladson, Restrepo and the lone returning starting WR Key’Shawn Smith will lead what is a young Miami receiving corps beyond those three. Restrepo should significantly surpass the career numbers he had in 2021. Tight end Will Mallory and Restrepo are the likely new go-to receivers for Van Dyke.
Mallory leads the returning Miami Hurricanes receivers with 30 receptions and four receiving TDs. Restrepo leads the Miami returnees in receiving yards. The system under new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis should benefit Restrepo. Miami is expected to not have as much of a vertical passing game in 2022.
Gattis told reporters earlier this week to expect multiple formations and personnel packages. That should benefit Restrepo as a slot receiver. Restrepo had 17 receptions for first downs in 2021, 11 that were for 15 or more yards and four for 25 plus yards. Restrepo had four receptions for 49 yards on third down.
Three of those went for first downs. Rambo led Miami with 43 receptions going for first downs last season. Harley had 29. That is a lot of clutch production for Miami to replace in 2022. Restrepo and Van Dyke have had a lot of time to develop chemistry as roommates since they began as freshmen in 2020.
Restrepo and the other Miami receivers have a huge opportunity this year. With games versus Bethune-Cookman and Southern Mississippi to begin the season, the Miami offense should be able to ease into the season before playing at Texas A&M in week three. Restrepo will be one of the leaders of the Miami offense.