Miami football still looking for consistent performance from WRs
The Miami wide receivers have continued to struggle with consistency and drops throughout training camp. Following the second scrimmage on Saturday night by the Miami football team, head coach Mario Cristobal said “some big plays and had some big drops no way to cut it, can’t sugarcoat it:”
As the offense continues to evolve under new coordinator Josh Gattis, Cristobal said “we have to continue to get better so we can trust ourselves to run the playbook.” Most reports during training camp have been that the top two returning Miami WRs, Xavier Restrepo and Key’Shawn Smith have been the most impressive.
Restrepo led all the wide receivers on the current Miami football roster with 33 receptions and 405 yards in 2021. Restrepo had 24 receptions for 373 yards. Succeeding Mike Harley as the starter in the slot, Restrepo is poised to become the leading receiver for Miami during the 2022 season.
Miami needs an outside receiver to emerge. Restrepo is poised for a breakout season but will be more of a possession receiver than one who will stretch the defense or make contested catches. Smith needs more consistency to become the alpha receiver for Miami. In 2021, Smith showed the ability to make big plays.
had 19 receptions for first downs, 11 of 15 or more yards and three touchdowns in 2021. On third down Smith had only six receptions for 102 yards and one TD. Jacolby George and Clemson transfer
have reportedly been the next best WRs during training camp.
Cristobal has not mentioned any names or stats at all through the first two scrimmages. George had seven receptions for 183 yards and one TD as a true freshman in 2021. Ladson had 31 receptions for 428 yards and six TDs in three years at Clemson while battling injuries.
Brashard Smith will backup Restrepo in the slot. Smith is a speedy, versatile player who will likely lineup in multiple places in numerous formations. With the Miami football roster down to three healthy scholarship running backs, Smith could also see some time there. Smith had six carries for 23 yards in 2021.
Sophomore Romello Brinson and third-year redshirt freshman Michael Redding III will also compete to be part of the 2022 rotation. Brinson had seven receptions for 90 yards and a TD as a true freshman in 2021. Redding has battled injuries in his first two seasons and has recorded four receptions for 22 yards and one TD.
Next. Cristobal focuses on team after second scrimmage. dark
True freshman Isaiah Horton has been out for about a week with an injury. No timetable has been mentioned on when Horton will return. With less than two weeks until the September 3 season opener versus Bethune-Cookman, Miami needs consistency from their WRs for the passing game to build on the 2021 success.