Hurricanes receiver Xavier Restrepo wants to ‘finish out a legacy’ in final college season
New Hurricanes defensive back Mishael “Meesh” Powell came to Miami from Washington. In the last year, the former Huskies starter helped his team take down some of the top passing games in the nation en route to the national title game.
But after UM wide receiver Xavier Restrepo made a stellar, one-handed, diving catch over Powell during practice on Wednesday, the new Miami defensive back had heaps of praise for his sparring partner.
“I go against him every day. That’s the best slot in the country,” Powell said. “We’ve got the best guys in a lot of positions this year. I want to see myself as being the best slot (defensive back) in the country; he wants to be the best slot receiver. Iron sharpens iron. I know y’all saw that catch. That was crazy. Y’all were shocked? Best believe I was real shocked on that. He makes catches like that all the time, though.”
Restrepo returns to Coral Gables this year after an exemplary 2023 campaign where he became the sixth Miami wide receiver to notch a 1,000-yard receiving season. But Restrepo, a Broward County native, still thinks he has more to accomplish with the Hurricanes.
“I have one more year of guaranteed football,” Restrepo said. “My dreams and aspirations are definitely the next level, but just to finish out a legacy here, I want to do that more than anything.”
Although Miami’s offense struggled at times last year, Restrepo was a constant. He ended the year with a school-record 85 catches and was second in the ACC with 1,092 receiving yards. He earned an 89 receiving grade from Pro Football Focus, which was 12th in the nation among receivers with at least 50 targets last year. Restrepo was named a first-team All-ACC pick by the conference and second-team selection by the Associated Press.
“He’s as constant as you get. Week in, day in, game in,” UM offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “I’ve preached to some other guys, too, that the best players I’ve been around have been the same player every day. That’s probably the biggest compliment I can give a player, and I can give ‘Strep that, that he’s the same every day. That play he made (Wednesday), yeah, but he makes a play like that almost every day. He’s just very consistent in his work ethic, consistent in his effort. He understands football. He plays hard. He really plays hard. We don’t have everybody playing hard, but he plays hard. He’s a good example.”
One aspect that could break Restrepo’s consistency is the departure of former Miami quarterback and Restrepo’s close friend, Tyler Van Dyke. The receiver and quarterback duo were part of the same recruiting class, roomed together at UM and developed a close chemistry on and off the field.
“He’s my guy,” Restrepo said. “I wish all the best luck to him. He’s going to do great over there at Wisconsin.”
But Restrepo said he is quickly developing a bond with new starting quarterback Cam Ward, reserve transfer Reese Poffenbarger, freshman Judd Anderson and returning quarterbacks Jacurri Brown and Emory Williams.
“(Ward) and all the quarterbacks have this work ethic that’s just contagious, you know what I’m saying?” Restrepo said. “We all want to be around them all day every day, whether that’s film room, weight room, out here, just chilling, hanging at the house, whatever. They just have contagious characteristics about them.”
Dawson said that the entire receivers group is working on building that trust and chemistry with Ward.
“Are we on the same page all the time? I mean, obviously not,” Dawson said. “I don’t think anybody is at this point, especially when you’ve got new guys. But ultimately, there is some signs of routes that end up in places that are good. But we’ve got some work to do, obviously.”
Restrepo has goals for this season and beyond, hoping to reach the NFL next year. Former UM offensive lineman Javion Cohen, who is preparing for the draft now, named Restrepo as a player who could be a top-five wide receiver in the 2025 draft.
“It’s a great feeling to have people believe in you,” Restrepo said. “Not too many people believe in me, but that’s fine. I believe in myself, I believe in Christ, all glory to Him.”
Miami OL Javion Cohen just put the NFL Combine on notice that the thinks Canes WR @XavierRestrepo1 will be a Top-5 NFL Draft WR in 2025, citing Restepo’s work ethic and dedication to his craft.
Javion’s player comp:
Xavier Restepo = Julian Edelman pic.twitter.com/KDsDs7yAu9
— Eric Froton (@CFFroton) March 2, 2024