There is an obvious spotlight surrounding the quarterback competition headed into spring practice. Everyone is eager to see who will take the reins of the offense. Regardless of who is taking the snaps, he will have no shortage of options on the outside. While the graduation of Braxton Berrios, who was the team leader in yards, receptions and touchdowns last year, will leave some enormous shoes to fill, the offense is in good hands with this group of pass catchers. Ahmmon Richards looks to avenge an injury laden 2017 campaign, and Jeff Thomas seems poised for a breakout sophomore season. Lawrence Cager showed the potential to be a serious problem in the red zone at time last year, but can he do it on a weekly basis? CMR brought a wave of young receivers who will be able to provide an immediate impact in 2018. With a mix of speed, size, experience and youth, there is a lot to be excited about with this group of receivers going into the spring.
The expectations were through the roof for Ahmmon Richards a year ago after being named Freshman All-American. He showed his potential to be the next great wideout at The U. However, ankle and hamstring injuries hampered him all year, and eventually the meniscus tear that ended his season, led to a disappointing year for Richards. There is no denying Richards’s ability. As long as he is on the field, he will be the go to guy on the outside in 2018. Richards is likely to be limited during spring as he works his way back from the knee injury, which will leave more reps for the rest of the group.
With waterbug quickness and elite top end speed, sophomore Jeff Thomas proved he can blow the top off a defense at any moment as he averaged 22 yards a catch in 2017. Thomas will look to be more than just a deep threat this year. Richt will likely find creative ways to get Thomas the ball in space. Expect him to spend a lot of time on the outside as well as in the slot. Look for Thomas to improve his route running in the spring, as he could use some improvement controlling his speed in and out of his breaks. All signs point to Thomas playing a key role in the offense in 2018.
At 5’9”, fellow sophomore Mike Harley has a similar skillset and stature of Jeff Thomas. Harley caught 9 balls for 91 yards in 2017. The St. Thomas Aquinas graduate will look to make a name for himself in this talented group of receivers. The spring will be a great opportunity for Harley to show he can be a major playmaker for this offense.
Redshirt junior Lawrence Cager seemed to be unguardable at times last year, but he would also have games where he’d go virtually unnoticed. He reeled in 16 catches for 237 and 3 TD’s in 2017. With his 6’5” frame, he showed he can be a nightmare in the red zone. Cager will look to play more of a consistent role in the offense on a week to week basis and even push for a starting role on the outside in the spring.
Darrell Langham and Dayall Harris, who both caught a pair of TD’s last year, are the two seniors in this group. Harris’ career at Miami has been dicey. He looks to end it on a high note in 2018. He will provide experience and depth to the receiving core. While Darrel Langham only caught 11 balls last year, not many Hurricanes had a larger impact on the course of the season in 2017 than Langham did. His mitts saved two W’s for the Canes last year. Big numbers aren’t expected from the senior, but something says he may have saved a little magic for 2018. These two seniors can hopefully help provide much needed leadership and wisdom to the group of young receivers coming in.
Redshirt freshman Evidence Njoku seems to be a bit of a wild card among this bunch. At 6’4” about 200 pounds, it is unclear whether his future lies at tight end or receiver. In today’s game, does that really matter? Njoku is still a very raw talent with an extremely high ceiling. Keep an eye on his development in spring practice. If he can develop into anything like his brother David, the Canes will have yet another weapon on offense.
Talented early enrollees Brian Hightower, out of IMG, and Daquris Wiggins, from Southridge, will get their first taste of college football with some crucial reps this spring. Both guys will add depth to the roster. Hightower, an Army-All American, is very polished for a freshman, and he is the prototypical receiver standing at 6’3” 200 pounds. He could push for some serious playing time this fall.
Rounding out the rest of the group are incoming freshman Mark Pope and Marquez Ezzard, who will touch down on campus this summer. Both guys have serious big play ability. This group of freshman receivers will make some serious competition at practice. These guys aren’t going to be satisfied with just adding depth. Look for Pope and others to make some big time plays this fall.
The expectations were through the roof for Ahmmon Richards a year ago after being named Freshman All-American. He showed his potential to be the next great wideout at The U. However, ankle and hamstring injuries hampered him all year, and eventually the meniscus tear that ended his season, led to a disappointing year for Richards. There is no denying Richards’s ability. As long as he is on the field, he will be the go to guy on the outside in 2018. Richards is likely to be limited during spring as he works his way back from the knee injury, which will leave more reps for the rest of the group.
With waterbug quickness and elite top end speed, sophomore Jeff Thomas proved he can blow the top off a defense at any moment as he averaged 22 yards a catch in 2017. Thomas will look to be more than just a deep threat this year. Richt will likely find creative ways to get Thomas the ball in space. Expect him to spend a lot of time on the outside as well as in the slot. Look for Thomas to improve his route running in the spring, as he could use some improvement controlling his speed in and out of his breaks. All signs point to Thomas playing a key role in the offense in 2018.
At 5’9”, fellow sophomore Mike Harley has a similar skillset and stature of Jeff Thomas. Harley caught 9 balls for 91 yards in 2017. The St. Thomas Aquinas graduate will look to make a name for himself in this talented group of receivers. The spring will be a great opportunity for Harley to show he can be a major playmaker for this offense.
Redshirt junior Lawrence Cager seemed to be unguardable at times last year, but he would also have games where he’d go virtually unnoticed. He reeled in 16 catches for 237 and 3 TD’s in 2017. With his 6’5” frame, he showed he can be a nightmare in the red zone. Cager will look to play more of a consistent role in the offense on a week to week basis and even push for a starting role on the outside in the spring.
Darrell Langham and Dayall Harris, who both caught a pair of TD’s last year, are the two seniors in this group. Harris’ career at Miami has been dicey. He looks to end it on a high note in 2018. He will provide experience and depth to the receiving core. While Darrel Langham only caught 11 balls last year, not many Hurricanes had a larger impact on the course of the season in 2017 than Langham did. His mitts saved two W’s for the Canes last year. Big numbers aren’t expected from the senior, but something says he may have saved a little magic for 2018. These two seniors can hopefully help provide much needed leadership and wisdom to the group of young receivers coming in.
Redshirt freshman Evidence Njoku seems to be a bit of a wild card among this bunch. At 6’4” about 200 pounds, it is unclear whether his future lies at tight end or receiver. In today’s game, does that really matter? Njoku is still a very raw talent with an extremely high ceiling. Keep an eye on his development in spring practice. If he can develop into anything like his brother David, the Canes will have yet another weapon on offense.
Talented early enrollees Brian Hightower, out of IMG, and Daquris Wiggins, from Southridge, will get their first taste of college football with some crucial reps this spring. Both guys will add depth to the roster. Hightower, an Army-All American, is very polished for a freshman, and he is the prototypical receiver standing at 6’3” 200 pounds. He could push for some serious playing time this fall.
Rounding out the rest of the group are incoming freshman Mark Pope and Marquez Ezzard, who will touch down on campus this summer. Both guys have serious big play ability. This group of freshman receivers will make some serious competition at practice. These guys aren’t going to be satisfied with just adding depth. Look for Pope and others to make some big time plays this fall.
