Alabama pursues UM receiver Horton. And honors for Ward, Restrepo, more Canes portal news
Isaiah Horton, positioned to be a starting receiver for the Hurricanes next season if he sticks around, has signed paperwork needed to enter the transfer portal and is nearing a deal to join the Alabama Crimson Tide, Canesport.com reported Monday.
The Hurricanes reportedly are trying to keep him before he enters the portal or commits to Alabama or another school. But Horton shared the On3.com post on Instagram, strongly suggesting he’s entering the portal.
Players who enter the portal are permitted to return to their teams if both sides are receptive to that, but it’s unclear if that could happen with Horton, who had 56 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns last season.
In three seasons at Miami, Horton has 70 catches for 790 yards (11.3 average) and six touchdowns.
UM already was set to lose receivers Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George to the NFL. And Sam Brown hasn’t decided whether to remain in college football or turn pro, his agent recently told Canesport.
Restrepo, meanwhile, told WSVN Fox 7 on Sunday that he hasn’t decided whether to play in the Pop-Tarts bowl against Iowa State on Dec. 28 in Orlando.
In the meantime, the Hurricanes remain in the mix for several wide receivers in the transfer portal: FIU’s Eric Rivers (who visited Saturday), LSU’s TJ Daniels (he visited Sunday; UM, Auburn and Mississippi are his finalists), Georgia Tech’s Eric Singleton (who is visiting Miami on Monday and has a final five of UM, LSU, Texas, Auburn and Mississippi), Oklahoma State’s De’Zhaun Stribling (who is visiting UM late this week); and Alabama’s Caleb Odom, who is visiting Miami late this week while also considering Colorado and Mississippi.
Odom could play tight end at UM if he picks the Hurricanes.
North Carolina State receiver KC Concepcion has UM in his final six, but the Canes haven’t yet received a visit.
Ny Carr, Ray Ray Joseph, JoJo Trader and Chance Robinson would be UM’s top returning receivers if Horton and Brown depart.
WARD, RESTREPO HONORED
Restrepo and UM quarterback Cam Ward were named first-team Associated Press All Americans on Monday.
Ward set single-season UM records with 4123 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes. He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Restrepo became UMs all-time leader in receptions (200) and receiving yards (2844) and had 69 catches for 1127 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
THIS AND THAT
The Canes’ pursuit of Nebraska transfer portal middle linebacker Makai Gbayor ended when he committed to Missouri on Monday. He had visited UM on Sunday.
▪ Highly coveted Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser, who had three interceptions as a redshirt freshman last season, visited UM on Sunday and told Canesport that he will pick among UM, UF, LSU and Auburn on Wednesday.
▪ Kentucky defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver has four finalists, per On.3com: Miami, Florida, Michigan and USC. He’s visiting Miami on Monday.
▪ The Canes are awaiting decisions from Arizona cornerback Emmanuel Karnley and Washington State cornerback Ethan O’Connor. Both visited UM’s campus in recent days.
▪ Also notable Monday: Per 247 Sports, Washington State quarterback John Mateer is expected to enter the transfer portal after throwing for 3,129 yards and 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.
UM, which snagged NFL-bound Cam Ward from Washington State in the portal last January, has high regard for Emory Williams, but Mateer would be very tempting. There’s likely going to be heavy competition for Mateer’s services.
This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 11:25 AM.
