As roster uncertainty looms, the Miami Hurricanes must lean on South Carolina transfer Vandrevius Jacobs and a wave of hungry underclassmen to fortify a shifting offensive rotation.
MIAMI, Fla. – In light of Cam Vaughn’s future with the Miami Hurricanes reportedly “in doubt,” the wide receiver depth chart could see drastic changes ahead of the upcoming college football regular season.
If released, the program would have moved on from four players (Hayden Lowe, Jontavius Wyman, and Conrad Hussey) before the season began. Vaughn appeared set on playing a rotational role and participated in fall camp. If the relationship decides not to move forward, it opens opportunities for others in the wide receiver room to move up on the depth chart.
Outside of Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate, Vandrevius Jacobs is the only other wide receiver with extensive experience and on-field production. The South Carolina transfer entered the portal and joined the program around the same time as Vaughn. In two seasons with the Gamecocks, he caught 44 passes for 729 yards and scored four touchdowns in 21 games.
Jacobs’ collegiate career started at Florida State, but featured limited opportunities. He appeared in five games, caught three passes for 60 yards, and scored a touchdown.
The 21-year-old is unofficially listed at 6-0 and 182 pounds, and is capable of being a dynamic playmaker. Last season, against the Clemson Tigers, Jacobs scored a 74-yard touchdown; 51 came after the catch. Jacobs’ experience could give him an edge, but Joshua Moore and Daylyn Upshaw aren’t far behind.
Both homegrown products are looking to take on expanded roles after limited freshmen seasons.
Moore has more of the buzz surrounding him, especially at fall camp. He’s listed at 6-2 and 220 pounds, and Mario Cristobal is looking to rely more on the Miami native. Last season, Moore caught 17 passes for 210 yards and scored two touchdowns, both against the South Florida Bulls.
Upshaw has an opportunity to take the biggest leap from last season to now. As a freshman, he caught seven passes for 105 yards in seven games. Upshaw saw an increase in playing time in the final four games of the regular season. Unfortunately for him and the program, a foot injury sidelined him for the whole College Football Playoffs.
Even with a deep wide receiver core, a couple of freshmen, such as Somourian Wingo and Vance Spafford, appeared set to play to a certain extent. However, Vaughn’s looming departure could set them up for more snaps.
Wingo was a four-star top-100 recruit whom Toney praised upon his arrival. In three seasons at St. Augustine High School, he caught 137 passes for 2,398 yards and scored 34 total touchdowns. Wingo is listed at 6-2 and 190 pounds and can turn heads, like Toney did last year.
Spafford was a four-star recruit from Mission Viejo High School in California. As a junior, he caught 57 passes for 1,017 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Spafford was limited in his senior year due to a foot injury. He’s a twitchy wide receiver, listed at 5-10 and 175 pounds.
There is no timetable for Vaughn’s future with the program, but the Hurricanes have the talent to fill the void if needed. Jacobs, Moore, and Upshaw will continue to contend for a starting job, alongside Toney and Barkate; meanwhile, Wingo and Spafford look to solidify rotational roles.
