To go hand-in-hand with Cam Ward’s Heisman marketing campaign, the Miami Hurricanes 2024 season was highlighted by probably one of the best aerial assault within the nation because the potent offense featured an offense that put up practically 44 factors and 350 yards per recreation. A big a part of that success was the Vast Receiving corps beneath Shannon Dawson’s uptempo unfold offense.
The obvious shiny piece of the passing recreation was the extremely dependable Xavier Restrepo who actually rewrote the historical past books. Past Restrepo, Jacolby George, Isaiah Horton, and Sam Brown all helped spherical out a powerful core group. Joshisa Dealer, Ray Ray Joseph, Ny Carr, and Shemar Kirk gave followers a glimpse of the long run crop of wideouts in restricted motion. Restrepo, George, and Brown all head to NFL whereas Horton and Kirk hit the switch portal and Dealer, Joseph, and Carr return to the U to play alongside Carson Beck in 2025.
Xavier Restrepo
Restrepo poured his blood, sweat, and tears out for the Canes and have become not solely a dependable fixture within the Canes’ offense, however exceeded everybody’s expectations when he set the usual as essentially the most adorned extensive receiver in Miami historical past as he amassed 200 receptions, 2,844 receiving yards, and 21 TDs over his 5 yr profession.
This season, in his one season alongside Ward, Restrepo amassed 69 receptions, 1,127 receiving yards, and 11 TDs. He supplied a spark at any time when wanted for the Canes as he now sits squarely within the early spherical dialog after a terrific week on the Senior Bowl and will catapult as much as the early second spherical or late first spherical if he blows folks away on the NFL Mix.
Certainly one of my favourite prospects to review all through the draft course of has been Miami WR Xavier Restrepo.
We’ll see how a lot his measurement impacts his draft slot, however there may be a lot to love about his recreation.
His quickness, toughness, energy, competitiveness and clutch gene are all… pic.twitter.com/KmxLw5H5Bm
— Discipline Yates (@FieldYates) January 16, 2025
Restrepo is not a draft sleeper as increasingly draft scouts and consultants are recognizing his on-the-field play as ok to not cross up despite his potential considerations.
Jacolby George
George’s season, in addition to profession with the Canes, was largely tumultuous in nature as his spectacular playmaking potential as a deep risk was usually overshadowed by drops at pivotal moments or bonehead penalties. That mentioned, George was nonetheless extremely productive in Dawson’s offense as he strung collectively 53 receptions for 752 yards and eight TDs. George had a powerful East-West Shrine Bowl and may very well be a late spherical choose however measured in at 5’10”, 168lbs, that are robust measurements to succeed on the NFL degree.
Sam Brown
Miami was Brown’s third vacation spot after he performed at each Houston and West Virginia throughout his school profession. And whereas he didn’t overlap with Dawson at Houston, this system doubtless had comparable rules to that Dawson introduced.
At Miami, Brown supplied a change of tempo physique presence. He put collectively 36 receptions, 509 receiving yards, and a pair of TDs. Early within the 2024 season, after amassing 815 receiving yards at Houston the prior season, Brown was projected to be an early spherical NFL Draft choose. Nonetheless, it’s now wanting like he’ll be a late spherical choose or precedence undrafted free agent after a robust Shrine Bowl look on the finish of final month.
Isaiah Horton
Horton was one other taller physique and ended up with 56 receptions, 616 receiving yards, and 5 TDs through the 2024 season.
In a considerably stunning transfer, however warranted attributable to his breakout season, Horton left the Miami program after the season and transfers to Alabama. Canes’ devoted needs him one of the best of luck within the SEC.
Ray Ray Joseph, Joshisa Dealer, Ny Carr, and Shemar Kirk
After the 4 gamers listed above, solely Dealer recorded a landing which got here through the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Nonetheless, Joseph noticed essentially the most recreation motion in return duties and seems most primed to guide the returning receivers subsequent yr.
Shoutout to true freshman WR Joshisa “JoJo” Dealer for stepping up within the bowl recreation lastnight! He scored his first collegiate landing giving Canes followers a glimpse into the long run! pic.twitter.com/LRzHlRXLfC
— CB (@CoreyCarmona) December 29, 2024
Conclusion
It was a historic season for the offense, due largely to the receiving corps.
Restrepo will clearly be an enormous void to fill. And with George, Brown, and Horton all departing (in addition to TE Elijah Arroyo who presents as a vertical risk), Dawson and Beck have their work minimize out for them to repeat the success subsequent season.
In all chance, Joseph, Dealer, and Carr ought to contribute all through subsequent season. LSU Switch CJ Daniels offers a veteran presence that may be productive from day one and freshman Malachi Toney is almost certainly to have involvement in yr one.
That mentioned, it could be good if Miami can add one other switch weapon on the extensive receiver place through the second wave of portal season.