In the final game of the 2021 season, wide receivers Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo broke long-standing receiving records for the Miami football program in a 47-10 win over Duke. The production at wide receiver dropped significantly in 2022. If Miami is going to thrive offensively in 2023 they need more production at WR.
With 13 receptions for 96 yards in the 2021 regular season finale, Harley set program career and single-game records. Harley finished his Miami career with 182 receptions from 2017 through 2021. Rambo set the single season Miami receiving records in 2021 with 79 receptions and 1,172 receiving yards.
Tight end Will Mallory led Miami with 42 receptions and 538 receiving yards in 2021. Mallory was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts this spring. Colbie Young led Miami WRs with 32 receptions for 367 yards and the entire team with five touchdown receptions in 2022.
Miami needs more consistent production from Young in 2023. Young had his two biggest performances and the majority of his success during the 2021 season in consecutive games versus Virginia Tech and Duke in October. Those performances came in the second and third games he caught passes for Miami.
Young had nine receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in a 20-14 Miami win at Virginia Tech on October 15. That was followed up a week later with six receptions for 127 yards and two TDs and two TDs in a 45-21 loss to Duke. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke suffered a shoulder injury versus Duke that limited him through the season.
Young had 14 receptions for 99 yards and no TDs in the final five games in 2022. A foot injury to slot receiver Xavier Restrepo in 2022 also hindered the Miami passing game. Restrepo finished the 2022 season with 21 receptions for 240 and four TDs. Restrepo had five receptions for 100 yards and a TD in the 2022 season opener.
A healthy Restrepo and Van Dyke and a more experienced Young should greatly improve the passing game for the Miami football program in 2023. Other Miami WRs to watch in 2023 are Alabama transfer Tyler Harrell, slot Breshard Smith, Jacolby George and potential freshman Nathaniel Joseph.