Harley, Thomas bring speed to receivers
CORAL GABLES It doesn’t matter if they’re on the football field, in the film room or on their way to class, Mike Harley and Jeff Thomas can usually find themselves involved in some spirited back-andforth conversations.
Their friendly competition is likely a good thing for the Hurricanes.
As Miami continues working its way through training camp, the sophomores figure to be among two of the leaders in a deep receivers group that has the potential to be among the ACC’s best.
A former St. Thomas Aquinas standout, Harley played in 11 games last season and made four starts. He finished with nine catches for 91 yards and more than once, showed his ability to get downfield and make plays despite his 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame.
Thomas, meanwhile, played in all 13 games and made four starts. He finished with 17 catches for 374 yards and two touchdowns and his 22.0 yards-percatch led the Hurricanes receivers.
With a year of college football under their respective belts, the two are looking to continue their development and become bigger parts of the offense. And both have had to adjust to new roles — as mentors to a new group of freshmen receivers including Mark Pope, Brian Hightower, Dee Wiggins, and Marquez Ezzard.
“Yeah, that’s crazy … The group of guys I came in with, we were talking about it the other day like, ‘Man, camp flew by last year,” Harley said. “Now, it’s like harder. It’s not harder, it’s just we know what to do now. We’re just trying to stay consistent, compete and make the younger guys better and the defense better. So, it’s the same thing, same routine.”
Of his advice to this freshman, Thomas added, “Take coaching and be disciplined and listen to our coach and just work hard. … It’s kind of interesting. They really don’t know the playbook, so I’m trying to help them out and let them learn what to do and things like that.”
As to what they’d like to see from each other this year, Harley and Thomas say it’s time for them to step up their respective games. Each says he has gotten faster, each says he feels more physically ready for the challenges that await them this season.
Talent improving
Since Hurricanes coach Mark Richt took over as coach in December 2015, Miami has put together some solid recruiting classes, including last year’s top-10 group.
That’s helped both raise the level of play on Greentree and give the Hurricanes much-needed depth. And Brown noted on Tuesday it’s been a refreshing change of pace for the Miami coaching staff as it prepares for its third season in Coral Gables.
Still, there remains room to get better and the Hurricanes know it.
“We got more talent than we’ve ever had at every single position. We’ve got really good depth now. We’ve got some guys that don’t know what the heck is going on, which is kind of normal for young guys. They got to grow up in a hurry because those guys can help us from a depth standpoint, but also possibly beating some guys out and possible end up earning some starting jobs,” he said. “We’re just too much of a roller coaster. We got some super, super tough dudes on offense, but not enough of them. A handful of guys who come out every single day and they’re physical, mentally tough and they finish everything.
“Those guys have to command that from the rest of the group so we can bring it every day as a whole, as a unit. We have some really bright moments and some really terrible moments, which we can’t have that. We have to be consistent every single day.”
Njoku back to work
Receiver Evidence Njoku, who is rehabbing back from a knee injury, appeared to be a full participant during the media viewing portion of Tuesday’s shortened practice.
Njoku was seen working with members of Miami’s athletic training staff during the media viewing portion of practice a day earlier.