Most quarterbacks have one, two, maybe three favorites they look to when the sure thing is imperative.

Maybe it's the long, lean receiver with the graceful stride. Maybe it's the little hyper guy who makes opponents miss. Or maybe it's the big, physical type who outleaps and outmuscles the competition.

Jacory Harris has them all -- and more.

Thirteen University of Miami players caught passes Saturday against Virginia.

Seventeen Hurricanes have caught at least one.

Ten have at least eight.

Coach Randy Shannon said he would shorten the wide receiver rotation this season. But he never said he would reduce the total bunch at various positions.

Even recruit Allen Hurns, a 6-3, 180-pound Carol City High receiver who committed to UM on Monday night, said he was lured by the sheer number of receivers in the mix.

``It's amazing, but it comes as no surprise,'' UM cornerback Brandon Harris said when he learned 13 players caught passes Saturday. ``They have been giving us problems since we stepped on campus. They're a bunch of great guys and they complement each other well. Nobody is selfish in that group. Everybody is happy when the next guy makes a play.''

Shannon praised Harris for his varied tastes.

``It's a situation where the more you can diversify your offense, the better off you'll be,'' Shannon said Tuesday. ``Just a good job by Jacory of spreading the ball around. He's giving them opportunities. He's starting to get in the groove.

``Two weeks ago, he threw one ball away. This week, he threw three or four away, not taking sacks. It means you can't roll the coverage to one guy or double one guy because you leave another guy isolated.''

It all could come in handy when No. 12 Miami (7-2, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) plays at North Carolina (6-3, 2-3) on Saturday. The Tar Heels have the nation's fifth-ranked pass defense. Miami has the 28th-ranked passing offense.

Junior Leonard Hankerson, the veteran of the group, leads the team with 27 catches for 517 yards and four touchdowns. Travis Benjamin has 23 catches for 428 yards and four touchdowns and LaRon Byrd has 24 catches for 342 yards and a touchdown.

``We have many playmakers on this team who play hard,'' Hankerson said, ``and everybody has different styles.''

Slot receiver Thearon Collier said that he and Benjamin, both considered small, ``are apples and oranges. I run the 40 in 4.5 flat. Travis Benjamin is a speedster. I'm very quick -- and shifty.''

Tight ends Dedrick Epps, Jimmy Graham and Tervaris Johnson have combined for 28 catches, 338 yards and seven touchdowns. And three running backs have at least eight catches apiece.

``Jacory definitely shares the ball,'' Graham said. ``That's why we've been successful so far. It's a very exciting offense to play for. I feel blessed.''

UM receivers coach Aubrey Hill is hoping the Tar Heels won't know which way to turn when Harris drops back to pass.

``You never know whether it will be a receiver or tight end or running back,'' Hill said. ``We're kind of excited about that. If you try to shut one person down we'll have an opportunity to hit the big plays another way.''

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