Receiver Michael Redding III wants to lean on Reggie Wayne and earn a starting job at Miami
Michael Redding III didn’t get the good fortune of suiting up for the team coached by Ed Reed at the Under Armour All-America Game. His wide receivers coach wasn’t Reggie Wayne — like future teammate Dazalin Worsham’s was — so he spent parts of Thursday talking trash to Reed whenever he crossed paths with him on the sideline at Camping World Stadium.
He did get some lessons from the high-profile coaches throughout his week spent in Orlando and, most importantly, he has a relationship he’s ready to work on. One of Redding’s priorities for the week was to exchange numbers with Wayne.
Mission accomplished.
“I didn’t get to talk to him much, but one thing that I did make sure that I get was his number,” the four-star wide receiver said Thursday after the game. “I introduced myself, so I talked to him a little bit. He just told me, ‘If you need anything, just ask me.’ ”
Redding was one of three soon-to-be Miami Hurricanes at the Under Armour Game — defensive end Chantz Williams didn’t play because of an injury and running back Jaylan Knighton didn’t play because of the death of former Deerfield Beach teammate Bryce Gowdy — and he was the only one to suit up for the team without any former Miami players on the coaching staff.
Later this week, all five — Redding, Worsham, Knighton, Williams and tackle Jalen Rivers — will all arrive in Coral Gables to officially become Hurricanes. After a massively disappointing debut season for coach Manny Diaz, a massive group of players early enrolling all hope to bring necessary change to Miami. Redding said it’s the reason there are so many players enrolling early.
“It tells us that our guys want to come in, we want to play, we want to be the change in the program,” Redding said, “so I’m real excited about those guys.”
The Hurricanes have made at least one significant change since Redding signed his national letter of intent last month. Miami fired former offensive coordinator Dan Enos the day after a 14-0 loss in the Independence Bowl and brought in Rhett Lashlee as his replacement Saturday. It officially means the beginning of the spread era in South Florida, and Redding is excited about the idea of playing in a new offensive system.
Although he had a strong relationship with Enos from a private workout with the coordinator and wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield last year, Redding said Enos’ departure doesn’t affect the way he feels about the Hurricanes. He didn’t yet know who Enos’ replacement would be when he was playing in the All-America Game last week, but he was excited to hear a spread offense was probably coming.
“I heard that Manny Diaz is looking for a spread offensive coordinator and of course I’m going to like that. I’m a wide receiver,” Redding siad. “Spreading the ball out, being able to get me the ball and other players the ball in space, of course I love that.”
Although Redding didn’t catch a pass in the actual game, he was one of the top performers throughout the week in Central Florida and was listed as a starter going into the game.
He arrives at Miami as the No. 29 wide receiver in the country and No. 167 player overall, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Redding is the top-ranked receiver in the Hurricanes’ Class of 2020, which could give him a path to early playing time as K.J. Osborn and Jeff Thomas both depart. The production from the position was a disappointment in 2019, and Redding’s athleticism could give Miami a needed boost on the outside.
Mike Harley, Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins all have starting experience, but there are no proven contributors behind them. Redding is ready push the veteran trio and fight for a starting job once he gets to campus.
“First thing that’s on my mind is just the work that we’re going to put it. It’s just work, work, work, work, work,” Redding said, “because that’s what I’m going to have to do in order to start.”
This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 1:24 PM.
