Competition heats up for Miami Hurricanes' receivers rotation

Competition heats up for Miami Hurricanes' receivers rotation - Barry Jackson, Miami Herald

These ballyhooed UM receivers speak of wanting to be the nation's best. And the competition has ratcheted up this spring, with Tommy Streeter and Kendal Thompkins pushing to join a rotation that lost no one and might have room for five regulars among nine receivers.

UM expects returning starter Leonard Hankerson to improve on his 45-catch breakout season, and LaRon Byrd (nine starts in '09) could start alongside, with Travis Benjamin, Aldarius Johnson and Streeter in the mix and Thompkins battling incumbent Thearon Collier for the slot role. Long shots: Davon Johnson and early enrollee Allen Hurns. Among the intriguing story lines this spring:

• Can Aldarius Johnson rebound from last year's falloff? Though his yards per catch increased (from 10.7 as a freshman to 17.2 as a sophomore), his receptions dropped from 31 to 16. But receivers coach Aubrey Hill said, ``Remember, he tore his groin in the Florida State game and missed two games. In the FAMU game, he popped out his shoulder and missed a game. So before we go write off Aldarius Johnson, he's a really good player. I think of his catch on 4th-and-16 versus Wake Forest.''

Johnson said he's ``lighter and quicker'' and is determined to return to his freshman form. Ex-UM great Andre Johnson, a friend, told him ``to just worry about this season'' and not bemoan 2009.

• Will Streeter make a splash? Expect him to be a factor next season, Hill said. He redshirted in 2008 (wrist injury) and had few chances in 2009, but caught a 47-yarder in the Champs Sports Bowl because offensive coordinator Mark Whipple knew he could beat Wisconsin deep. ``He was behind last year because those other guys played [in 2008],'' Hill said. ``You're talking about a guy who's 6-5, as fast and talented as any receiver we have, really good hands. We're trying to get him to put it all together.''

Streeter said he ``felt uncomfortable'' in '09 but now reads defenses better: ``I can bring a lot to this offense. The coaches know that.'' He said every receiver has a skill better than the others, and his is deep balls. Benjamin has electric speed, but Streeter ``can keep up with him,'' quarterback Jacory Harris said.

• Will Byrd take a Hankerson-type leap and become elite? Randy Shannon singled out Byrd as a standout last week. Byrd (33 catches, 460 yards in '09) is very good, but UM believes he can be special; the Colts' Reggie Wayne said he has more skills than ex-Giants star Plaxico Burress. ``I want people to list my name with the top receivers that played here,'' Byrd said. ``I want criticism. I tell coaches to find my flaws. My grandmother and mother told me I had to improve a lot. I've lost baby fat; I'm more explosive.''

• Can Thompkins get on the field more? UM wanted to move him to defensive back, but he persuaded Shannon to allow him to stay at receiver. ``He's good enough to be our slot receiver,'' Hill said. Though Collier is tough to beat out, Thompkins has drawn raves. ``He's so quick off the line, by the time he takes his first step, he's already gone,'' cornerback Brandon McGee said.