Xavier Restrepo leads the Miami Hurricanes. The shifty slot receiver has 172 yards on 11 receptions which both rank top five in the ACC. He is undoubtedly the safety blanket for quarterback and roommate Tyler Van Dyke. But if suddenly his production were to go away, who steps up at wide receiver?

Texas A&M’s head coach Jimbo Fisher comes from the illustrious Nick Saban coaching tree. One thing you can count on, he knows where the Hurricanes bread is buttered. A strategy will be in place by the Aggies to limit where Van Dyke prefers going with the football.

You don’t have to go very far to see an example. Last week vs. the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Van Dyke threw an interception. QB1 looked for his primary guy on third down and the Southern Miss defense took Restrepo away. A walkup linebacker bluffed blitz and then he attached to Restrepo who was located inside on the trips receiver side. The post snap window change caused Van Dyke to hesitate and that’s all it took.

Additional Miami Hurricanes pass catchers need to step up this week. There should always be a plan in place when teams sellout to take away what you like to do. One dimensional and heavy tendency prerogatives do not work against better teams. So what options do the Hurricanes have?

Brashard Smith. The shifty Miami Hurricane plays the same position as Restrepo and is the third leading receiver on the team. After two games, Smith has six receptions for 65 yards. Smith has the speed to burn and when you play an SEC defense, speed is a necessity. We haven’t seen the big play potential yet this season from Smith but we know it’s there. Smith can be lined up in various ways and he gives Offensive Coordinator Josh Gattis options.

Will Mallory. Mallory has only two receptions on the year for a measly 21 yards. There is obviously more in store for the long time Hurricane from the tight end position. Coach Mario Cristobal mentioned having to control “C” and “D” gaps last week vs Southern Miss so the translation there is that you are asking your tight ends to block it a little more. Mallory can easily play the role of welcomed house sitter in the middle of the field. The senior tight end has the spare key and is very comfortable living as a pass catcher there.

Wide Receiver Jacolby George running after a catch

Jacolby George. George just got out of the dog house. After serving a two game suspension, the speedy wide receiver can finally join his “3 Amigo” brothers on the field. The former Plantation Colonel has the skillset to factor and has shown flashes of brilliance. The Miami Hurricanes need to limit the frenzy plays from Texas A&M this week but it would help to create some big plays of your own. George is definitely someone who can provide a spark.

Michael Redding and Key’Shawn Smith are second and fourth respectively in reception yardage for the Hurricanes. But if you add Redding’s 76 and Smith’s 49 they still don’t equal Restrepo’s 172. I want to see the Hurricanes response when option A is taken away.

Sign up for Legendary membership for up to date information located in the #OBB Discord Server. UPDATE: Xavier Restrepo now listed out indefinitely with undisclosed foot injury.