Hightower intends to transfer out
Sophomore receiver to enter transfer portal to ‘explore the best opportunities’
Two days after the Miami Hurricanes’ worst of their four losses through seven games this season, a player has decided he has had enough at UM.
Sophomore wide receiver Brian Hightower announced via Twitter on Monday evening he is leaving Miami to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal.
“After careful consideration and discussion with my family, and THE University of Miami coaching staff, I am entering my name into the transfer portal to openly explore the best opportunities to utilize my remaining eligibility and pursue my education,” Hightower said in his statement. “I pray this decision is respected. … As with every decision I make, I trust the path which God has chosen for me.”
Hightower, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound target from Leimert Park, Cal. who played in high school at IMG Academy in Bradenton, has played in all seven of Miami’s games in a limited reserve role. He has made eight receptions for 88 yards.
On Saturday, in UM’s 28-21 overtime loss to Georgia Tech with junior wideout Jeff Thomas suspended for a violation of team rules, sophomore Dee Wiggins started in Thomas’ place while Hightower came in off the bench. Wiggins ended up leading the Hurricanes on Saturday with 62 receiving yards, which came on two receptions, one a 50-yarder.
“Since I arrived at the U I’ve given all I could and my fellow teammates can vouch for that,” said Hightower in his statement, which also thanked athletic director Blake James, coach Manny Diaz, his staff and former Miami coach Mark Richt. “I am forever appreciative of the brothers I have made here along with the staff and U family embracing me, making my experience as great as possible.”
While Miami loses a talented playmaker in the former four-star recruit, it comes at a position where the Hurricanes have depth.
In addition to Thomas, UM usually starts redshirt senior K.J. Osborn and junior Michael Harley at receiver. The Hurricanes also have Wiggins, sophomore Mark Pope, freshman Jeremiah Payton and redshirt sophomore Evidence Njoku on scholarship.
Tate Martell has also worked in at receiver and in various packages since missing out on the preseason starting quarterback competition with Jarren Williams and N’Kosi Perry. He has gone back to throwing with the quarterbacks in practice since Williams has been dealing with an upper-extremity injury, and on Monday, offensive coordinator Dan Enos revealed that Perry suffered a separated left, non-throwing shoulder on Saturday before going back into the game against Georgia Tech.
In its 2020 recruiting class, Miami also has two wideouts committed, both fourstar prospects, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, in IMG’s Michael Redding III and Miami Northwestern’s Marcus Fleming.