Miami coach Mario Cristobal is optimistic about Canes’ WR room: ‘There has been progress’

Miami has high expectations for the 2022 season, but there is one significant question mark offensively: wide receiver.

The Canes’ passing attack last season largely revolved around Charleston Rambo, who turned in arguably the most productive campaign by a receiver in program history. He caught 79 passes for 1,172 yards — both school records.

The problem? Rambo is now in the NFL, and there’s no heir apparent in Miami’s receiving corps. Xavier Restrepo, Frank Ladson, Jacolby George and Key’Shawn Smith are a few of the candidates to have a bigger role in 2022.

But those 4 receivers have a combined 1,345 yards in their collegiate careers. Ladson is by far the leader amongst that group with 428 yards, but he caught just 4 passes last season with Clemson.

Still, coach Mario Cristobal is optimistic by what he’s seen during fall camp.

“There has been progress,” Cristobal told reporters on Friday

, speaking about Miami’s wide receivers. “Yesterday and earlier today we made some really, really good plays. And if w

e’re capable of doing it once then we’re capable of doing it all the time. So they’re going to be pushed. We’ve had some good moments and we’ve had some other ones where we’ve got to get better. So we need to keep progressing.”

Another reason for optimism: quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Miami’s sophomore quarterback was exceptional last season with a limited receiver corps outside of Rambo. He’s also had success by throwing the ball to tight end Will Mallory, who has 290+ yards in each of the past 3 seasons.

Miami will likely get a better feel for its receiver rotation as fall camp continues. The Canes are scheduled to scrimmage over the weekend.