Restrepo lone Miami player with 100-plus receiving yards as WR George back for Texas A&M
After Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke uncharacteristically struggled in the first half Saturday with an interception and inaccurate throws against Southern Miss, roommate Xavier Restrepo gave him a post-game shot of reality.
“He kind of took everything under his ownership,’’ Restrepo said, “and I was like, ‘Dude, relax. This is a team effort.’ The way he responded in the second half was awesome. Obviously we started off slow, but that’s just on us — execution. We just gotta get better out here on Greentree [Practice Field] and we’ll be better next time.”
Restrepo has been better on Greentree Field since Day One — better than receivers and as good as pretty much anybody in terms of intensity and leadership and work habits and the stuff of greatness, attributes coach Mario Cristobal has lauded since he took over the program in December.
Following a 70-13 win against Bethune-Cookman and 30-7 win over Southern Miss, the No. 15 Hurricanes head to College Station this weekend to face No. 24 Texas A&M (1-1), likely still smarting from a 17-14 loss to Appalachian State. But over in Coral Gables, home of the Hurricanes, Miami is still working on getting those receivers enough touches to elevate their overall performances. Going into Texas A&M, Restrepo is the lone Hurricane with double-digit catches and more than 100 yards receiving — five catches for 100 yards in the opener and six for 72 against Southern Miss.
Only three receivers have touchdown catches: one apiece for Restrepo, Mike Redding III and Key’Shawn Smith.
Restrepo and Van Dyke and two of UM’s best defensive backs on Tuesday insisted the Hurricanes’ receiving corps is improving every day, even if Texas A&M doesn’t provide them with an abundance of pass-catching opportunities as UM will be intent on controlling the clock.
“The entire receivers group is doing awesome,’’ Restrepo said. “They’re getting better day by day on Greentree.”
Behind Restrepo
Behind Restrepo’s 172 yards and touchdown on 11 catches is Redding’s 76 yards and touchdown on five catches, Brashard Smith’s 65 yards on six catches, Smith’s 49 yards and a touchdown on three catches last week. After that, receiver wise, it’s Frank Ladson Jr. with two catches for 33 yards and Romello Brinson with two catches for 28 yards.
“Dude’s an all-around talent,’’ said Restrepo, when asked about Smith. “Key’Shawn is really great. And he’s getting his mental side of the game down way better now. I feel like that’s the biggest improvement he’s going through now. That kid obviously can take the top off defenses with his speed, and has great hands.”
On Saturday, 6-0, 176-pound sophomore Jacolby George will be available after a two-game suspension to start the season. “It’s good to have him back but he’s got to create his role,’’ offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said of George.
“One of the first things coach Cristobal ever said was there’s no jobs right now,’’ Restrepo said. “Everybody has to earn their role on the team. Every role is a big role so no matter whether it’s a special teams role or offense or defense just earn a role and you get it by practicing hard on Greentree and performing at the highest level.”
Van Dyke said there are “a few guys coming along,’’ when asked if he’s still looking for a go-to guy in addition to Restrepo.
“I see in practice all the time,’’ the quarterback said. “Any of these guys can come out of nowhere in the game. Obviously Key’Shawn, Mike Redding, Frank, Jacolby is coming back this week so we’re excited to have him back. Brashard had a great game, had some great catches. Mello too. So, these guys are stepping up, making a lot more catches than when they started fall camp, which is a good thing. They worked on it a lot.”
George returns
Van Dyke said George, who played in nine games last season and caught seven passes for 183 yards and a touchdown, is “really smooth the way he goes about things.”
“He’ll go up and make a tremendous catch — one-handed, two-handed, whatever. He’ll go up and get the ball. He has great separation, great routes. He’s fast. Yeah, he’s a quarterback’s friend. That’s what I like about him. He’s a playmaker.”
Starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said Smith, Redding and George are “workhorses’’ and believes George “has a huge chip on his shoulder” because it’s his first game back.
“He’s ready to work,’’ Stevenson said of George. “He’s nice off the line of scrimmage so that’s [a reason] I like to go against him.
“Mike is the more physical receiver. I like going against Mike on blocks and deep balls down the field because Mike fights for the ball and he’s fast. He’s got that sneaky speed that if you underestimate, he’ll run by you.
“And Key’Shawn is really the speed side of all them three. Key’Shawn is quick and you’ve got to stay on your toes and be more in your technique when it comes to Key’Shawn. All three of them guys are always giving me work in practice. I win some and lose some, but iron sharpens iron.”
Safety James Williams praised Restrepo on Tuesday, saying he “doesn’t like losing” and that “he’s always seeking greatness.’’
As for the others: “They’re all doing great,’’ Williams said. “It’s just that Restrepo’s number is getting called right now because he stands out.”
This story was originally published September 13, 2022 at 4:39 PM.
