Miami’s passing game is getting some serious national love before the season even starts. In On3’s latest Top 10 quarterback-wide receiver duo rankings, the Hurricanes are the only team to have two combinations make the list. Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney checked in at No. 2, while Mensah and Cooper Barkate landed at No. 8.
Seeing Mensah on the list twice says a lot about what people expect from this offense. The Duke transfer already has chemistry with Barkate from their time together, and now he’ll also have one of the ACC’s most explosive playmakers in Malachi Toney.
Toney getting the No. 2 spot isn’t a surprise. He’s expected to be Miami’s go-to receiver this fall, and if he plays the way many believe he can and like he did last season putting on a killing, he’ll be one of the toughest to cover in the ACC. His ability to create separation and make plays after the catch gives Mensah a legitimate No. 1 target.
Then there’s Barkate, who may end up being one of Miami’s biggest additions this offseason. Since he and Mensah already know each other’s game, that connection could pay off early. Having that level of trust between a quarterback and receiver is something you can’t always build overnight and should show all season long.
Being the only school with two duos in the rankings shows just how much depth Miami has at receiver. It will be so hard to cover both guys just because how dangerous they really are, but the Hurricanes have multiple options who can make them pay. That’s exactly what Shannon Dawson wants this offense to look like.
It’s only July, so none of these rankings will matter once the season kicks off. But if Mensah and his receivers play the way they’re expected to, Miami’s passing attack could be one of the best in the country.
