Miami’s top five receivers have exhausted their eligibility, transferred or left early for the NFL Draft.
Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, Sam Brown, Isaiah Horton and Elijah Arroyo will go down as one of the best, if not the best, receiver groups in Miami history. We certainly will miss them and wish them nothing but the best in life.
Miami is now faced with replacing their production. That will be a tall task.
What’s the plan?
Every position group needs veteran leadership and proven production. Miami first turned to the transfer portal to find proven and experienced receivers. The staff landed CJ Daniels from LSU. He's proven and experienced.
But we need more.
The staff wants another veteran playmaker with speed that can stretch the field. No luck so far. They are also still looking for a veteran tight end to add depth, talent and leadership.
The major challenge for Miami is the current quarterback situation. Receivers want to know who's going to be throwing the rock to them. It could affect every transfer candidate listed here.
So, who is still available in the portal and on the current roster? And what are Miami’s chances to land either another receiver and tight end?
Tight End:
Available Internal Candidates:
Miami has a star in the making and some talented but inexperienced tight ends. Elija Lofton heir-apparent to Elijah Arroyo. Hunter Carver and Jackson Carver will compete for rotational roles in 2025. However, the Canes need some veteran leadership and proven production alongside Lofton.
Available Transfer Candidates:
Alex Bauman (Tulane)
At 6’-5”/245, Alex emerged as a vertical pass receiving threat at Tulane. Over three seasons, he has caught 63 passes for 610 yards and thirteen touchdowns (7 in 2024).
A true red zone threat, Alex is not known for his run blocking, so one of our young TEs will need to step up this spring to seize that role. Bauman is scheduled to visit Miami this week. Has one year of eligibility remaining. The Canes are in a good position here.
Arik Gilbert (Nebraska)
NOTE: Unconfirmed interest
At 6’5”/248, Arik came out of high school as 5-star prospect in the 2023 class. He is very well-traveled with stops at LSU, Florida and Nebraska in two years.
Arik brings length, size, long arms and a very competitive nature. He could be a potential mismatch nightmare in the passing game. Has some maturing to accomplish but has tremendous upside. Has two years of eligibility remaining.
The Canes could become a player a here.
Competition: UGA, Duke
Holden Staes (Tennessee)
NOTE: Unconfirmed interest
At 6’-4”/248, Holden was a four-star prospect in 2022. Originally signed with Notre Dame, he transferred to Tennessee where he assumed the role as a run-blocking tight end on the Vols’ conference’s top rushing offense. In 2024, Holden also caught 15 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. The Atlanta native could take Cam McCormick’s role in the Canes’ offense.
The Canes could become a player a here.
Wide Receiver:
Available Internal Candidates:
Miami currently has a talented but young and inexperienced receiver room. A couple of those young bucks will need to step up, including Joshisa “JoJo” Trader, Ray Ray Joseph, Chance Robinson and Shemar Kirk.
Available Transfer Candidates:
Zachariah Branch (USC)
NOTE: Unconfirmed interest
Zachariah Branch is an elite and experienced receiver with electric playmaking ability. At 5’-10”/175, the #2 wide receiver in the portal brings speed, body control, concentration and versatility at both slot and on the outside. Every major program is after him. It will be a tough pull for Miami, but we have Mario.
The Canes could become a player a here.
BOTTOM LINE:
Miami needs to reload its receiving corp in 2025. The Canes are off to a good start but must add proven production and experience to make the offense multi-dimensional. The Canes’ quarterback question could come into play here.
GO CANES!
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