Miami football adds size and speed with JC WR Shemar Kirk

The Miami football program added much-needed size and speed with a commitment from Reedley California Junior College wide receiver Shemar Kirk on Saturday. Kirk who is originally from Nashville is 6’1 and 190 pounds. In two seasons at Reedley Kirk had 76 catches for 1,446 yards 19.0 yards per reception and 15 touchdowns.

Kirk is the second WR that the Miami football program added in as many days. Miami received a commitment from former Alabama and Louisville WR Tyler Harrell through the transfer portal on Friday night. Kirk will also be the second JC transfer WR on the Hurricanes’ roster after Colbie Young transferred to Miami in 2022.

Kirk had four 100-yard games in 2022 and six contests with a TD. Miami hosted Kirk last weekend. Kirk was quoted by Marcus Benjamin of Canes County that he expects to fit perfectly into the Miami offense. No specific role was discussed by the Miami coaching staff with Kirk told Benjamin.

During his first season at Reedley in 2021 Kirk averaged 32.9 yards on kickoff returns with one TD. Kirk is a bit of a late bloomer. After high school, Kirk worked before going to Reedley. Kevin Beard has been busy and productive securing WRs for since Mario Cristobal hired him just before spring practice.

Harrell and Kirk will compete with Jacolby George and Young for snaps as the outside WRs. Miami is deep in the slot with Xavier Restrepo, Brashard Smith and true freshman Nathaniel Joseph all having a chance to make an impact for Miami this fall. Beard has a much deeper roster to work with this fall than he did this spring.

The offense under new Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson should benefit Harrell and Kirk. Expect Tyler Van Dyke to return to his 2021 form with a deeper and more experienced WR unit to work with in 2023. Restrepo is returning from missing half of the 2022 season with an injury.