July Miami Hurricanes Player Performance Index top 30 deep dive: No. 8 WR Jacolby George

CaneSport is breaking down the top 30 Miami players on the roster based on projected production, and today we’re at No. 8, Jacolby George .

THE BIG PICTURE

George had a breakout 2023 season with 864 yards – No. 2 on the team to 1,000-yard receiver Xavier Restrepo – and he could be in line for a 1,000-yard season of his own with Cam Ward behind center. George is electric down the field with the ball in his hands, and he has the speed and athleticism to beat most corners one-on-one. With Restrepo a guy who is going to demand extra attention from a defense, that could help free up George for a monster season in what should be a high-powered Canes offense.

JULY PLAYER PERFORMANCE INDEX: No. 30 Elijah Alston , No. 29 Josh Horton , No. 28 Raul Aguirre … No. 27 D’yoni Hill … No. 26 Samson Okunlola … No. 25 Jaden Harris … No. 24 Markeith Williams … No. 23 Akheem Mesidor … No. 22 Jaylin Alderman … No. 21 Damari Brown … No. 20 Wesley Bissainthe … No. 19 Simeon Barrow/CJ Clark … No. 18. Elijah Arroyo … No. 17. Sam Brown … No. 16 Elija Lofton … No. 15 Zach Carpenter … No. 14 Tyler Baron … No. 13 Mishael Powell … No. 12 Dylan Joyce … No. 11 Francis Mauigoa … No. 10 Daryl Porter, Jr. … No. 9 Anez Cooper

THE ANALYSIS

George was a first-time starter this past season and responded with 57 catches and 864 yards, both second-most on the team behind the aforementioned Restrepo. George showed a nose for finding the end zone with a team-high eight touchdown catches. He had a pair of 100-yard games – six catches for 125 yards and a TD vs. North Carolina, and five receptions for 153 yards and two scores at FSU. An issue? He was called for five silly penalties when he didn’t maintain his focus. Prior to last season he never gained much traction. In 2022 he was suspended for the first two games and never had more than 39 yards in a game (vs. Pitt). He ended with 13 receptions for 130 yards. And as a freshman in 2021 he played in nine games off the bench and had seven catches for 183 yards. Per Pro Football Focus he graded out at a solid 73.4 percent last season (75.4 receiving grade) in 638 reps with 90 targets. He was noted with six drops and a healthy 9.3 yards after the catch. In 2022 he graded out at 64.2 percent in 168 reps and had a 62.3 receiving grade with two dropped passes on 17 targets.

THE PROJECTION

We aren’t sure Miami can’t have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers, with Restrepo hitting that mark last year and George not too far off. We already wrote about that possibility , and it would be a first at Miami. Certainly George has the qualities you want in a 1,000-yard guy, if he keeps his head on straight. He can run by guys and his quick twitch makes him a threat in the open field (that also serves him well as a return man). We are setting the bar at 1,000 yards for George this season and think that’s a realistic target for him in what should be a prolific offense.

THE JUMP HE NEEDS FROM SPRING TO FALL CAMP

George formed a good bond with Ward this spring and just has to continue that into the fall. There are a lot of guys who are going to be itching for targets in the passing game this year, from George and Restrepo to Houston transfer Sam Brown and the other talented receivers on the roster plus a rejuvenated tight ends room and even a guy like RB Damien Martinez could be a threat as a receiving back. So George really has to show why he should be a first or second option in the passing game this fall.

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