There’s a big hole left where Charleston Rambo and Mike Harley Jr. once sat in the Hurricanes’ wide receiver room.
The two were Miami’s top two pass-catchers last year and both set receiving records in Coral Gables. With the pair of star wideouts now hoping to earn spots on an NFL roster, the Hurricanes’ returning receivers are looking to fill their spots on and off the field.
“As soon as the older guys left last year, immediately, I took charge,” rising third-year sophomore Xavier Restrepo said. “Guys are doing a great job. We’re coming together. Practice is going good. It’ll be better in the next week or two. We’ll really start to get together and trust each other.”
There are certainly a lot of receptions to go around. Rambo had 79 catches for 1,172 yards last season, both school records. Rambo led the team with seven touchdown catches. Harley, a St. Thomas Aquinas alumnus, was second on the team with 57 receptions for 543 yards and five touchdowns. Harley’s mark of 182 career catches is a Hurricanes record.
The pair of receivers combined for 46 percent of the Hurricanes’ catches, about 45 percent of the team’s receiving yards and 40 percent of UM’s touchdown receptions.
“Those guys are ballhawks,” Restrepo said.
Restrepo, a Deerfield Beach alumnus, has impressed in 10 spring practices, largely playing in the slot-receiver role. He had 24 catches for 373 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season, second among returning wide receivers. Rising third-year receiver Key’Shawn Smith is the leading returner after making 33 catches for 405 yards and three scores in 2021.
Rising sophomore Jacolby George, a Plantation alumnus, and Clemson transfer Frank Ladson Jr. are among those also looking to secure playing time come the fall, as is rising sophomore Romello Brinson, who is out for the spring with an injury.
“I feel like spring’s going great for me,” George said. “I’m getting along with the new coaches, getting the plays and formations all down pat. Now it’s just based off my skill and what I can do.”
The former Hurricanes standouts have been encouraging their ex-teammates.
“Rambo texts me every day,” Restrepo said. “He just sent me a video the other day, saying that like, ‘You better get my record,’ and stuff like that. So me and him stay in touch.”
Said George: “(Harley) tells me I’ve got to work harder than all the other receivers — stay in more, catch more balls, just do stuff to stay on top.”
Miami does not have an official wide receivers coach on staff, but offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has spent much of his time coaching the wideouts. Gattis previously coached the position during his tenures at Alabama, Penn State and Vanderbilt.
“Working with coach Gattis is a great experience,” George said. “Having a new coach, more plays, open playbook. He’s coached a lot of great receivers in the past like (Jerry) Jeudy and (Henry) Ruggs, and to be able to be one of his players is phenomenal.”
The receivers can count on quarterback Tyler Van Dyke as he prepares for his first full year as UM’s starter. Van Dyke was the ACC Rookie of the Year last season after completing 62 percent of his passes for 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns.
“TVD is the man,” Restrepo said. “He’s always had it. Ever since we stepped in here as freshmen, getting extra work. … Every year, you just see a leader. He really took the leadership role this year, taking the whole entire team under his wing.”
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