Miami Hurricanes bring in potential impact transfer receiver for visit. And UM roster news
A six-pack of Miami Hurricanes notes on a Wednesday:
▪ The Canes, this week, are hoping to augment a wide receiver group that they believe could use another key rotation piece.
Former UCF receiver Jaylon Robinson began a multiday visit on UM’s campus on Wednesday, with Tennessee, Mississippi and TCU also very much in the mix.
The 5-9 receiver — a four-star recruit out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area — originally signed with Oklahoma but spent only one season there, catching three passes for 28 yards in 2018. Playing time was scarce with two NFL receivers (Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb) playing virtually every snap.
He transferred to UCF, where he produced big numbers in his first year of eligibility in 2020 (55 catches, 979 yards, 17.8 average per reception and six TDs). He was third in the American Athletic Conference in receptions and yards that season.
Last season, he missed five games with a knee injury and had 18 catches for 322 yards (17.9 average) and two touchdowns in six games.
Robinson told 247 Sports that the quality of the team’s quarterback, scheme fit and NIL opportunities will shape his decision, with a decision coming on May 15.
Robinson’s speed is his strength — he can take the proverbial top off a defense — but he also knows how to create separation from defenders on intermediate routes.
Xavier Restrepo, Key’Shawn Smith and Jacolby George were UM’s first-team receivers throughout most of spring practice. The others on scholarship — in no particular order — are Clemson transfer Frank Ladson, Michael Redding, Brashard Smith, Romello Brinson (who missed spring ball) and freshman Isaiah Horton.
▪ Roster update: Linebackers Sam Brooks and Tyler Johnson did not participate in spring practice and are not expected to be with the program moving forward. The same is the case for offensive tackle Issiah Walker, as previously reported.
Brooks had 59 tackles and three sacks in 14 games during three seasons but had trouble staying healthy. He appeared in only one game last season.
At UM, there were no surprise, unreported names who entered the portal before the May 1 deadline to enter the portal and be eligible to play elsewhere this season.
▪ Among Canes who entered the portal this offseason, former UM receiver Daz Worsham transferred to Auburn, ex-Canes tight end Larry Hodges committed to Middle Tennessee State and former UM running back Cody Brown committed to Virginia. Linebacker Deshawn Troutman and punter Nelson Foley remain in the portal.
▪ ESPN’s Todd McShay has UM quarterback Tyler Van Dyke ninth in his early 2023 mock draft.
“Van Dyke didn’t consistently play like a first-rounder in nine starts last season, but the 6-foot-4, 224-pounder has the talent of a future franchise passer,” McShay said. “The third-year sophomore just needs to take the next step this year.”
An NFL scout told me that he has left tackle Zion Nelson and tight end Will Mallory as the only non-transfer juniors/seniors to-be with draftable grades.
“Mallory is a later-round pick,” the scout said. “He’s a good player, a big target and I did like the tape. The question is speed. I don’t know that he’s going to run well” at the Combine or Pro Day next year.
▪ The UM to UCLA pipeline is alive and well, with Jaelan Phillips leading the way and front even defenders Mitchell Agude and Caleb Johnson following in the past month.
Agude is a front-runner to start at defensive end, and Johnson has a good chance to start at middle linebacker.
Phillips told me: “I haven’t talked to Caleb Johnson yet. Mitchell I knew because he was good friends with one of my best friends from UCLA, so I’ve known him for a little while now. When I heard that he was thinking about coming to ‘The U,’ I just – I’m not a salesman. I didn’t have to give him some crazy pitch.
“I just laid out the blueprint and told him all you got to do is come in, put your head down, work your [expletive] off and good things will happen. I think he made an amazing decision, and I can’t wait to see what him and Caleb and the rest of the guys do at ‘The U’ this year.”
Phillips has been impressed with Agude’s tape.
“Great athlete,” Phillips said. “Great motor. Gets after the ball. Gets after it. I’m excited to see him play.”
▪ A couple of historical nuggets on new UM power forward Norchad Omier, who averaged 17.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game at Arkansas State last season:
He’s the only Division I player in the past 30 years to average at least 17.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting better than 60 percent from the floor in a single season. Louisiana Tech’s Paul Millsap (2005-06) is the only other player in that span to do so while eclipsing even a 55 percent mark.
And here’s another: Omier also became the fourth Division I freshman in the past 30 years to average 12.0 points and 12.0 rebounds, joining Kansas State’s Michael Beasley (2007-08), Millsap (2003-04) and Colgate’s Adonal Foyle (1994-95).
Omier earned CollegeInsider.com’s All-America accolades after pulling down double-digit rebounds 19 times, second-most of any Division 1 player, with 16-plus six times.
If Isaiah Wong bypasses the NBA and returns to UM, the Canes’ roster will be full, with no more scholarships to give out for the 2022-23 season.
This story was originally published May 11, 2022 at 5:00 PM.
