‘True Hurricane’ Xavier Restrepo among nation’s best receivers

When Hurricanes wide receiver Xavier Restrepo suffered a foot injury that kept him out for five games last year, Miami’s offense faltered.

But Restrepo is healthy this season, and the fourth-year slot receiver is showing just how dangerous he can be in the passing game. Through the Hurricanes’ first three games, he ranks as one of the best wide receivers in the nation — though the Deerfield Beach alum is just happy the team is 3-0.

“I don’t pay too much attention to standings,” said Restrepo, referring to his place on the national receiver leaderboards after beating Bethune-Cookman, “but it’s just a great feeling to go out there with my teammates and, after all the hard work we’ve put through since January, just finally being able to execute against another team.”

Entering Week 4, Restrepo is 16th in the nation and second in the ACC with 314 receiving yards. Pro Football Focus rates him even higher, giving him a 91.2 offensive grade and a 90.6 receiving grade, both of which rank second in the nation among receivers with five or more catches.

He has done well on passes at different depths. Although it is a small sample size of just three games, he has graded out above 90 at short, medium and deep passes. His best grade is a 96.7 score on deep throws, catching all four of the deep passes thrown to him.

“His understanding and football IQ is very high,” Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “His ability to get open underneath is obviously something that’s very important in our offense. But he’s made some plays down the field, too. I think if you look at all the games that we’ve played this year, whenever it became a time (when) somebody needed to step up and make a play, it’s typically been him.”

Restrepo has also excelled at getting yards after the catch, gaining 148 yards himself after hauling in receptions.

“He wants to see Miami do well,” UM coach Mario Cristobal said. “Just a true Hurricane that wants to do well and wants to see the team do well. We’re blessed to have him, and he’s playing at a really high level.”

Restrepo has not only been excellent with the ball in his hands. He has made some key blocks early in the season, helping clear the path for Brashard Smith on a touchdown kickoff return against Texas A&M and springing Jacolby George for a score against Bethune-Cookman.

“You’re not only catching the ball out there,” Restrepo said. “Coach Dawson and (wide receivers coach Kevin Beard) do a great job exemplifying that. … Perimeter blocking is huge in this offense, and he’s just trying to make us full receivers that could do everything.”

Cristobal attributes Restrepo’s success in part to his toughness. He said the veteran receiver is always trying to work more even after practice is over.

“I can’t tell you how many times practice is over, he’s finding extra reps,” Cristobal said. “In the offseason, he’s training and then he’s finding more time to train back at home. Always working his craft. Just a very driven, motivated guy.”

Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who is Restrepo’s former roommate, said Restrepo has always had the ability to be a key receiver. He just needed to stay healthy and get his opportunities. He said as Restrepo has gotten older, he has also grown into a leader on the team.

“The selflessness he’s shown, he just wants everyone to eat,” Van Dyke said. “He knows the ball is going to come his way, and he’s just making plays at the right time. X has always been a good receiver. It was a matter of fact of him being healthy on the field and showing everyone he could do it. He’s really stepped up, in terms of leadership, though.”

The one thing missing on Restrepo’s stat sheet this season is a touchdown. Although he leads the Hurricanes in receiving yards, he has not yet gotten into the end zone. That is not stressing the Hurricanes’ sparkplug, though.

“I’m just happy we’re winning,” Restrepo said. “TVD’s playing great. Dude hasn’t missed a throw yet. So just keep on rolling, and if it comes, it comes.”