’Canes decide receiver is open
Team to continue competition ahead of N.C. State game
The Miami Hurricanes found success in their wide receiver play when they opened up competition in the week leading up to their win over Virginia.
With two weeks between that victory and a Friday night game at N.C. State, UM decided it will continue to leave its options open regarding its three starting wideouts, even as senior Michael Harley had a career night of 10 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown against the Cavaliers.
When Miami released an updated depth chart ahead for N.C. State week on Monday, there were no updates. It still showed nine receivers with a shot at the three spots.
Hurricanes offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee liked what it brought out of his wideouts and believes it’s something the team may continue to do.
“Competition is always going to make us better,” Lashlee said. “We’re kind of learning that’s how our guys tick even more so than normal.
“That’s going to be who we want to be because, when guys are uncomfortable in a good way, it makes you bring your best every day. It doesn’t allow you to relax. I think that’s good, so yeah, we’ll continue that, really, all across the board.”
Harley’s standout performance saw him take the team lead in receptions (27) and receiving yards (344) over junior tight end Brevin Jordan, who missed the past two games with a shoulder/neck injury. Mark Pope has 19 receptions for 236 yards and fellow junior Dee Wiggins has posted 12 catches for 154 yards onthe season.
The three upperclassmen in Harley, Pope and Wiggins remained the starters and received most of the playing time against Virginia, despite the reopened competition.
Redshirt freshman Jeremiah Payton and true freshmen Keyshawn Smith and Michael Redding III have seen most of the action behind them. Fellow freshman Xavier Restrepo has contributed on punt returns, but he and Redding were two of the six that were surprisingly unavailable against Virginia, a game that also saw former walk-on Marshall Few see snaps in the slot.
“In terms of the young guys, I thought theywere starting to do some really good things,” Lashlee said.
“We were without some of the guys the last game, but we still have a lot of confidence that those guys will continue tomake strides throughout the season.”
UM coach Manny Diaz and wide receivers coach Rob Likens have lauded Smith’s speed as a skill that could factor into a potential increase in playing time.
Miami linebackers Bradley Jennings Jr. and Zach McCloud have not been impactful as a starting tandem. They are tied for fifth and sixth on the teamwith 21 and 20 tackles, respectively, through six games. Both also have two sacks and McCloud has a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
“With BJ and with Zach, a lot of it is technique, but there’s also times where I just want them to cut it loose,” Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker said. “If they cut it loose, I think they can be a lot more consistent in their play, quite frankly.
“It’s happening more in the middleof the play.… I think they do a great job with their initial read. When I mean ‘cut it loose,’ trust what that key is telling you to do and don’t second-guess yourself in the middle of the play.
“I’ve tried to change my approach the last couple of weeks, trying to get more feedback from them instead of coaching them on the field right away, kind of more a give and take so I can get a better feel of what’ s making them not cut it loose.”
Sophomore Sam Brooks and freshman Corey Flagg have seen an uptick in playing time in recent weeks at linebacker, although Flagg was unavailable against Virginia, propelling redshirt junior Way nm on Steed back into the rotation.
“The two young guys that we keep talking about, Sam Brooks and Corey Flagg, a redoing a great job for us ,” Baker said .“I think you’ ll see the trend of those guys continuing to get reps, will continue to increase as the season goes on. They decide the depth chart. Excited to watch them compete on Friday night.
“Really, I think they have a good chance of putting it all together this