100 receptions for 1175 yards and 14 TDs
TAMPA, MAR 14, 2018 – Almost everyone knows the expression, “You don’t know what you’ve lost until it’s gone.” Senior Wide Receiver Braxton Berrios, the Hurricane’s top pass catcher in 2017 figures to trade in his UM Orange and Green for the colors of some NFL team yet to be determined, yet it’ll be the Hurricanes’ program in a state of loss until they figure out how to address replacing Berrios’ 55 receptions for 679 yards and nine touchdowns this past year. Should be easy, right?
Not only does Miami need to replace Berrios’ career production (100 receptions for 1175 yards and 14 TDs, with an additional 72yards rushing), they’re also in the market to replace their #2 receiver this past year in Tight End Christopher Herndon IV (2017’s statistics: 40 RECs / 477 YDs / 4 TDs, respectively).
It’s a good thing Miami Head Coach Mark Richt has no qualms playing underclassmen, as he’s relied on freshmen and sophomores in the past to play leading roles with their team. If they can perform, Richt will put them on the field to shine… that is, as long as they’re shining. If you broke the freshman receiving record previously held by NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, which Ahmonn Richards did during Richt’s first year in Coral Gables, it’s a safe bet knowing if you can contribute, you’ll be on the field.
Richards, now a junior, leads all returning Cane wide outs with his 24 receptions for 439 yards and three TDs in 2017. At 6’1” and 190lbs, Richards figures to get most of the looks from Miami quarterback Malik Rosier, who has already been named as the #1 signal caller for 2018. Richards will be joined by fellow juniors Lawrence Cager (16 RECs / 237 YDs / 3 TDs / 6’5” / 218 lbs), Dionte Mullins (4 RECs / 53 YDs / 0 TDs / 5’10” / 200lbs) and a familiar name to Cane fans in Michael Irvin II (9 RECs / 78 YDs / 0 TDs / 6’3” / 248lbs), although the younger Irvin will be stepping into Herndon’s shoes at TE.
Jeff Thomas, now a sophomore in Miami, actually was the #4 receiver statistically for the Canes in 2017 (17 RECs / 374 YDs / 2 TDs / 5’10” / 175lbs) and figures to see an increased pitch count as well, and is joined by fellow sophomore Mike Harley (9 RECs / 91 YDs / 0 TDs / 5’9” / 160lbs).
Miami returns two tall and capable seniors in Darrell Langham (11 RECs / 209 YDs / 2 TDs / 6’4” / 220lbs) and Dayall Harris (10 RECs / 92 YDs / 2 TDs / 6’3” / 195lbs), but unless they shine in spring drills, they will likely play a secondary role considering last season’s production of Richards, Thomas, and Cager.
To augment their top remaining receivers on their roster, Miami had a productive 2018 Signing class, garnering several pass-catching phenoms, most in the Canes’ backyard. Two four-star prospects from the Miami-Dade area include Mark Pope, the U.S. Army All-American rated the nation’s 5th best receiver from Miami Southridge H.S. (6’0” / 163lbs), along with his high-school teammate Daquirius Wiggins (6’3” / 175lbs). Two three-star prospects from South Florida as ‘Athletes’ signed by UM are Greg Rousseau (#43 ATH / 6’6” / 209lbs) from Miami Champagnat Catholic H.S. and a player with nearly the same measurable as the departed Barrios in Nigel Bethel (#76 ATH / 5’11” / 165lbs) from Miami Northwestern High.
Probably the best bets to supplant Pope in freshman playing time at Miami are four-star recruits Brian Hightower (6’3” / 202lbs), the #20 ranked WR from Bradenton, Florida’s IMG Academy, along with Marquez Ezzard (6’2” / 213lbs), the #41 ranked WR from far-away Stockbridge, Georgia High. As of this writing, Tampa Jefferson’s four-star standout Jermaine Eskridge (6’3” / 195lbs) is still contemplating offers from various schools other than Miami, to include in-state rivals Florida, Florida State, and USF, along with Alabama, Notre Dame and UCLA amongst other schools with interest.
This next year, Malik Rosier will have some very capable receivers to throw the ball downfield to, already having great rapport with Richards, Thomas and Cager. However, look for Hightower, Pope and Ezzard to step right in providing the Hurricanes a dynamic threat to break-it long for scores. Cane Freak Freddie will certainly be hoarse from cheering in 2018.
Jay “Captain Jack” Levy, BCP Contributor