2020 Miami Hurricanes Position Preview: Tight End

The 2020 Miami Hurricanes will field a tight end group that could turn heads.

The Hurricanes have many new faces this year, both on the field and patrolling the sideline.

One place the Hurricanes do have some continuity and carryover is at tight end, a group that could be on the precipice of greatness.

Incoming recruits and transfers have infused talent across the board.

With a revamped offense and a new dynamic signal caller, how will the 2020 Miami Hurricanes tight end group fare?

“Tight End U” in Good Hands

This season could be the time where one proven player rises to greater heights, while another builds on a strong finish.

Junior Brevin Jordan may be the most important player on the Hurricanes offense when the smoke clears.

Coming off first team All-ACC honors in 2019, Jordan should be a favorite target of projected starting quarterback D’Eriq King.

Top Returning TE’s in 2020
Via @rivalsmike

1. Kyle Pitts – Florida
2. Pat Freiermuth – PSU
3. Brevin Jordan – Miami
4. Jalen Wydermyer – A&M
5. Matt Bushman – BYU
6. Kylen Granson – SMU
7. Charlie Kolar – Iowa St
8. Brant Kuithe – Utah
9. James Mitchell – VT
10. Hunter Long – BC pic.twitter.com/LZSVeKMTHm

— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) February 25, 2020

Jordan finished his sophomore campaign with only two touchdowns, yet was able to finish third on the team in receptions (35) and second in receiving yards (435).

This was despite missing three games and with a revolving door at quarterback.

Jordan showed in last year’s season opener against Florida he can get it done against elite competition.

Rhett Lashlee will use a variety of formations and personnel groups to get Jordan involved out of the spread offense.

With his open field abilities, Jordan should thrive this season.

Joining Jordan as a focus at the tight end spot is junior Will Mallory, who looks to build off a strong finish to last season.

Mallory should also have a lot of opportunities in Lashlee’s offense, his length and athleticism will be especially useful in the red zone.

Lashlee could run Mallory out at h-back to get him in space from the backfield, the options are limitless.

With the spread offense stretching opposing defenses boundary to boundary, Mallory should be able to feast on crossing routes.

Mallory was quiet in the first half of the year and finished with just 16 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns.

He had 13 of those receptions in four games after November, with a season high 93 yards on four catches against Duke.

Irvin II Could be a Sleeper

One more name to mention from the tight end group is junior Michael Irvin II.

We all know his pedigree but it has been tough for Irvin to get much run with Jordan and Mallory ahead of him.

At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds he could be a nice change of pace in a possession receiving type role. Perhaps he could see some more playing time in 2020 on a situational basis in some heavy sets.

Irvin finished the 2019 season with two catches for 33 yards, most of those on a 25-yard reception against FIU.

The Miami Hurricanes once again appear to have one of the best tight end rooms in college football.

Both Mallory and Jordan present matchup problems and will surely be a key part of the Hurricanes’ offense in 2020.

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