Pro Football Focus names Xavier Restrepo Top 5 returning WR nationally

Xavier Restrepo is fifth in the "College Football: The top-10 returning wide receivers for the 2024 season" by Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus. Restrepo is the highest rated returning WR in the ACC and the Southeast. Restrepo set a single season Miami record with 85 receptions and became the sixth Hurricane to have over 1,000 yards receiving in a single season.

In 2024, Restrepo has a chance to set the Miami career records for receptions and receiving yards. Restrepo is 51 receptions behind Mike Harley to tie the all-time Miami record with 182 receptions and 830 yards behind Santana Moss to tie the Hurricanes' career mark. If Restrepo stays healthy he should eclipse those records easily.

Restrepo earned first-team All-ACC in 2023 after recording 85 receptions for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns. Restrepo has 131 receptions for 1,717 yards and 10 TDs in his career. Only 24 Miami receivers had at least 100 career receptions and nine have had over 2,000 yards.

Restrepo was able to have a breakout season after missing five games in 2022. Restrepo more than doubled his career receptions and receiving yards per game and had more TDs in 2023 than he did during his first three seasons with Miami. Expect Restrepo to compete to be an All-American in 2024.

"5. XAVIER RESTREPO, MIAMI (FL) HURRICANES
Restrepo is the most productive returning slot receiver in college football. His 1,074 receiving yards from that alignment were second among FBS receivers this past season to Virginia’s Malik Washington, who’s heading to the NFL. The junior finished with an 87.5 PFF grade this past season, seventh among Power Five receivers.

Restrepo is the ultimate security blanket. In 2023, he was third among returning Power Five receivers with 53 catches that went for either a first down or touchdown. He’ll be new quarterback Cameron Ward’s best friend in 2024."

- Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus.

Restrepo was 18th in receptions and 20th in receiving yards in 2023. Restrepo had 52 receptions for first downs in 2023, 32 catches of 15 or more yards and 10 for 25 or more yards. With Ward's ability to scramble, Restrepo can increase his first down numbers and ability to make big plays in the open field in 2024.

Restrepo was deadly in the middle of the field with 66 receptions for 809 yards from the Miami 21 to the opponents' 40. It is difficult for opponents to cover Restrepo when he has space. With an 85.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, Restrepo was Miami's top rated player during the 2023 season.

Jacolby George and Restrepo provide Ward with one of the best WR tandems in the country entering the 2024 season. Miami should decrease the amount of interceptions they throw in 2024 with Ward at QB. Expect another elite season from Restrepo, as he should become the most productive WR in Miami history.