Speed, motion, soft hands and varied body types. Dynamic Miami Hurricanes going deep

University of Miami coaches and receivers likely got tired of hearing about dropped passes during 2022 fall camp.

This preseason, those conversations have been replaced by talk of “going vertical,’’ a deeper, more confident group of pass-catchers acknowledged this week.

“We are ready for Game 1,’’ expected outside starter Jacolby George said of the Sept. 1 home opener against Miami of Ohio. “This year is way better with throwing it more down the field, because we get more chances and receivers are going to get open.

“Last year it wasn’t about going vertical, it was about getting open. But this year, we’re going vertical.’’

George broke his thumb last year early in the season at Texas A&M C one of multiple significant injuries among the receivers — and missed the next three games.

A junior out of Plantation High, George changed his jersey number this season from 15 to 3 after amassing only 130 yards and no touchdowns on his 13 catches in seven games. He connected well with starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke in the Aug. 12 open scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium.

“We’re doing really great right now,’’ George said. “We know what the plan is and how to succeed.’’

Tyler Harrell, the 6-0, 200-pound speedster who transferred to UM from Alabama via Louisville after playing high school ball at Miami Columbus, said Monday that he “felt good” and could “run all day, every day. Speed and decelerate,” he said, “all that good stuff.”

“He has the speed that some of us don’t,’’ George said of Harrell.

Harrell added that Reedley (California) College transfer Shemar Kirk is “sneaky fast” and that freshman Ray Ray Joseph “is a little speed demon.’’

“The DBs knowing how fast we are, they are going to fall back and that’s going to open up the run game. We can go on short routes as well.’’

Colbie Young

But the one who could be the most dangerous is 6-5, 215-pound Colbie Young, who transferred to Miami from Lackawanna College heading into last season.

“I feel really good about how our offense is being more explosive and more dynamic,’’ Young said Monday. “But we can still run the ball very well. We have a whole room full of good backs who can take the top off of defenses. They can catch, they can run, they’re fast and if they get in open space they can take the ball 80 yards.

“When you have as good of a receivers corps as we have, we love to see backs that can get in space, which makes the passing game way easier.

“We’re definitely better than where we left off. …We’re just more confident now, we’re more together as a team, as a whole unit. We’ve got a great O-line, great quarterback and great running backs. When you combine all that, the receivers just got to catch the ball.’’

Cornerback Jaden Davis, a fifth-year senior who played at St. Thomas Aquinas High and transferred to Miami from Oklahoma, said Wednesday that the UM receivers were “amazing.’’

Speed demons

“There’s just so much speed on this team, it’s crazy,’’ Davis said. “You got Jacolby George, you got Ray Ray, you got Brashard [Smith], you got all types of speed on this team. And then TVD [Tyler Van Dyke], Jacurri [Brown] – the QBs are always putting the ball on the money.

“I love the way this offense moves and the way it operates with the motions. And the ability to run the ball with a great offensive line. It’s a very diverse offense. You got different body types. You got Colbie Young – really big. But then you got Ray Ray, a speedy guy. You got [slot receiver Xavier] Restrepo. You’re able to do anything you want to do with this offense.”

Davis said going against UM’s offense has made him a better defender. “You gotta be mentally strong, because they might get you one play and then switch it up the next. This is a great offense and it’s going to be really successful.”

Young said Miami of Ohio is always in the back of his mind.

“Game 1 is right around the corner and I’m ready to go to work. Just more excited knowing I’m definitely going to see the field and I’ve got some guys behind me that can compete for a starting spot. I’m ready to really show out.’’