The second-team running backs, tight ends and wide receivers are emerging as key players in Miami’s passing game in 2024. The backup players caught nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown for Miami in last week’s 41-17 season-opening win at Florida.
The biggest impact came from WR Isaiah Horton. Despite not starting, Horton was tied with Sam Brown and Jacolby George with 42 snaps, the second-highest number among Miami WRs against Florida. Slot Xavier Restrepo was Miami’s top receiver with 54 snaps played against Florida.
Horton was tied with Miami starting TE Elijah Arroyo for second with four receptions, second behind Restrepo with 70 receiving yards and fourth on the Hurricanes with five targets. Horton is a de facto co-starter with Brown and Jacolby George. Brown had three receptions for 17 yards against Florida on seven targets.
George finished with two catches for 25 yards on four targets. Miami quarterback Cam Ward completed passes to nine different receivers in the win over Florida. Restrepo is expected to be a frequent target in each game. The other frequently targeted receivers could rotate depending on the matchup.
Cam Ward’s throw to Isaiah Horton set up the touchdown pic.twitter.com/zo3WDbDSdE
— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) 31 August 2024
Backup TE Elija Lofton caught two balls for 38 yards against Florida. Lofton’s second pass was 35 yards and allowed Miami to run down the clock. Lofton had 37 of his 38 yards after the catch. Miami has a strong TE unit. Lofton played just six snaps against Florida, sophomore Riley Williams is a player to keep an eye on.
Veteran TE Cameron McCormick also contributed big for Miami last week with a nine-yard touchdown pass. McCormick played 14 snaps, the third-most among TEs behind Arroyo with 44 and Williams with 25. Miami’s backup RBs also contributed as receivers.
Mark Fletcher had a key 22-yard pass in the third quarter that put Miami in the red zone at Florida’s seven-yard line. Two plays later, Fletcher leapt into the air and ran for a yard to extend Miami’s lead to 31-0. Florida was never closer than 21 points the rest of the game. Freshman RB Jordan Lyle also had a pass reception for a yard.
Miami has the second-biggest increase among the top 25 in Week 2 of the AP Top 25 College Football Poll. dark. Next. Miami has the second-biggest increase among the top 25 in Week 2 of the AP Top 25 College Football Poll.
True freshman Ray Ray Joseph played eight snaps and redshirt junior Shemar Kirk played three. Freshman JoJo Trader was out due to injury. Joseph and Trader are players to keep an eye on as they continue to develop throughout the season. This is one of the strongest receiver groups Miami has had in recent memory.
