Miami Hurricanes WRs opportunities with potential Jacolby George suspension
Miami Hurricanes wide receivers will have an opportunity to earn extra playing time early in the season with a potential suspension looming for Jacolby George. Christopher Stock of Inside the U reported on Tuesday that there are rumors that George could be suspended for the season opener versus Bethune-Cookman.
In a video released on the Inside the U YouTube page, Stock reported that George was one of the Miami players who practiced in the maroon and gold colors of Bethune-Cookman on the scout team. No other information was available about George. Earlier this week Mario Cristobal declined to answer questions about suspensions.
George was primarily competing with Clemson transfer Frank Ladson to be the third starting WR for the Miami Hurricanes. Key’shawn Smith is the lone returning starting WR for Miami in 2022 and Xavier Restrepo will start in the slot. Ladson will likely start with George likely out for the opener on Saturday.
Romello Brinson, Isaiah Horton, Michael Redding III and Colbie Young should all have a chance to receive more snaps early in the season with George potentially out. Brashard Smith will backup up Restrepo in the slot. Ladson is by far the most experienced of the Miami WRs other than Restrepo and Smith.
Smith leads all the Miami receivers with 35 career receptions and 463 yards with three touchdowns. Ladson has 31 for 428 and his six TDs are the most for any Miami WR in their collegiate careers. Restrepo has 25 for 385 and two RDs. Redding III is a third-year redshirt freshman who has struggled with injuries.
Redding III has four career receptions for 22 yards and one TD. As freshmen in 2021, George has seven receptions for 183 yards and a TD, Breshard Smith 14 for 199 and a TD and Brinson seven for 90 and a TD. The versatility Smith brings will allow offensive coordinator Josh Gattis to line up him all over the field.
With Southern Mississippi week two after hosting Bethune-Cookman in the season opener, Gattis will have a pair of games to attempt to solidify the rotation before Miami plays at Texas A&M in week three. We should find out more about George and the potential length of any suspension by the end of the week.