Miami Hurricanes Senior Profile: WR Braxton Berrios

A standout at his local Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, Berrios was approached by many of the prestigious football programs in the country; however, he decided to be one of the smart kids and made the decision to attend the University of Miami.

From his freshman year with the Hurricanes, there has been high expectations for wide receiver Braxton Berrios. After finishing his freshman season in 2014 with 21 receptions for 232 receiving yards and three touchdowns, plates were at the table for the Raleigh, North Carolina, native to take the next step to stardom. Instead, Berrios was stuck on the same step for the following two seasons.

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He was poised for a breakout in 2015 during his sophomore season, but Berrios suffered an early season setback. Missing most of the first month of the season, the receiver returned to the lineup only to find that there were plenty of guys ahead of him in the pecking order. Undeterred, Berrios plugged away, grinding out to become Miami’s primary punt returner towards the end of the season. Seeing just a couple spot performances here and there, it had to be a frustrating sophomore season for a player who had so much big play ability to not be utilized.

However, Berrios bucks the notion that receivers are the diva position on a team. Always trying to contribute to the team in anyway possible, in junior season Berrios found himself on the outside looking in when it came to the depth chart for wide receivers. He remained the starting punt returner for the ’Canes. Berrios would return 19 punts for 215 return yards, with a 11.3 yards per return average, and taking one for a touchdown during the 2016 season. Berrios didn’t see too many targets offensively, especially given the depth ahead of him at the position. He finished the season with 12 reception, 178 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

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In his senior year, Berrios, the only senior in the group, was thrust into the role of elder statesman among the receiver room. Embracing his role as mentor and player, Berrios has helped Miami contend this season by example — both off the field and on it. Berrios has easily put together his best statistical season as a Hurricane.

Berrios’ performance against FSU was a herculean performance on a day when No.8 was Miami’s most productive wide receiver. WR Darrell Langham did haul in the game-winning reception to lift the ’Canes over FSU that day — it was an 11-yard reception on 3rd down that gave Miami the chance to be in a position to tie or win that game.

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In a season where the Hurricanes started off with concerns of WR depth, Berrios illustrated that development and patience eventually payoff.

State of the U salutes Braxton Berrios and the rest of Miami’s 2017 senior class.

IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE U!