Xavier Restrepo set the standard for Miami at the WR position as he prepares for the NFL Draft where he could be an early round pick, and with other departures, Miami needs to reload the WR in 2025
To go hand-in-hand with Cam Ward’s Heisman campaign, the Miami Hurricanes 2024 season was highlighted by possibly the best aerial attack in the nation as the potent offense featured an offense that put up nearly 44 points and 350 yards per game. A large part of that success was the Wide Receiving corps under Shannon Dawson’s uptempo spread offense.
The most obvious bright piece of the passing game was the ultra reliable Xavier Restrepo who literally rewrote the history books. Beyond Restrepo, Jacolby George, Isaiah Horton, and Sam Brown all helped round out an impressive core group. Joshisa Trader, Ray Ray Joseph, Ny Carr, and Shemar Kirk gave fans a glimpse of the future crop of wideouts in limited action. Restrepo, George, and Brown all head to NFL while Horton and Kirk hit the transfer portal and Trader, Joseph, and Carr return to the U to play alongside Carson Beck in 2025.
Xavier Restrepo
Restrepo poured his blood, sweat, and tears out for the Canes and became not only a reliable fixture in the Canes’ offense, but exceeded everyone’s expectations when he set the standard as the most decorated wide receiver in Miami history as he accumulated 200 receptions, 2,844 receiving yards, and 21 TDs over his five year career.
This season, in his one season alongside Ward, Restrepo amassed 69 receptions, 1,127 receiving yards, and 11 TDs. He provided a spark whenever needed for the Canes as he now sits squarely in the early round conversation after a great week at the Senior Bowl and could catapult up to the early second round or late first round if he blows people away at the NFL Combine.
One of my favorite prospects to study throughout the draft process has been Miami WR Xavier Restrepo.
We’ll see how much his size impacts his draft slot, but there is so much to like about his game.
His quickness, toughness, strength, competitiveness and clutch gene are all… pic.twitter.com/KmxLw5H5Bm
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 16, 2025
Restrepo is no longer a draft sleeper as more and more draft scouts and experts are recognizing his on-the-field play as good enough to not pass up in spite of his potential concerns.
Jacolby George
George’s season, as well as career with the Canes, was largely tumultuous in nature as his impressive playmaking ability as a deep threat was often overshadowed by drops at pivotal moments or bonehead penalties. That said, George was still ultra productive in Dawson’s offense as he strung together 53 receptions for 752 yards and 8 TDs. George had an impressive East-West Shrine Bowl and could be a late round pick but measured in at 5’10”, 168lbs, which are tough measurements to succeed at the NFL level.
JACOLBY GEORGE! 85 YARDS TO THE HOUSE!
: ABC#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/Ioko7rPL9H
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) November 11, 2023
Sam Brown
Miami was Brown’s third destination after he played at both Houston and West Virginia during his college career. And while he did not overlap with Dawson at Houston, the program likely had similar principles to that Dawson brought.
At Miami, Brown provided a change of pace body presence. He put together 36 receptions, 509 receiving yards, and a pair of TDs. Early in the 2024 season, after amassing 815 receiving yards at Houston the prior season, Brown was projected to be an early round NFL Draft pick. However, it is now looking like he’ll be a late round pick or priority undrafted free agent after a strong Shrine Bowl appearance at the end of last month.
Isaiah Horton
Horton was another taller body and ended up with 56 receptions, 616 receiving yards, and 5 TDs during the 2024 season.
In a somewhat surprising move, but warranted due to his breakout season, Horton left the Miami program after the season and transfers to Alabama. Canes’ faithful wishes him the best of luck in the SEC.
Ray Ray Joseph, Joshisa Trader, Ny Carr, and Shemar Kirk
After the four players listed above, only Trader recorded a touchdown which came during the Pop-Tarts Bowl. However, Joseph saw the most game action in return duties and appears most primed to lead the returning receivers next year.
Shoutout to true freshman WR Joshisa “JoJo” Trader for stepping up in the bowl game lastnight! He scored his first collegiate touchdown giving Canes fans a glimpse into the future! pic.twitter.com/LRzHlRXLfC
— CB (@CoreyCarmona) December 29, 2024
Conclusion
It was a historic season for the offense, due in large part to the receiving corps.
Restrepo will obviously be a huge void to fill. And with George, Brown, and Horton all departing (as well as TE Elijah Arroyo who presents as a vertical threat), Dawson and Beck have their work cut out for them to repeat the success next season.
In all likelihood, Joseph, Trader, and Carr should contribute throughout next season. LSU Transfer CJ Daniels provides a veteran presence that can be productive from day one and freshman Malachi Toney is most likely to have involvement in year one.
That said, it would be nice if Miami can add another transfer weapon at the wide receiver position during the second wave of portal season.