Miami Hurricanes’ RB Travis Homer Declares for the 2019 NFL Draft

RBU loses another one to the NFL. After rushing for 985 yards this season, RB Travis Homer will be taking his talents to the pros in 2019. A true junior, the West Palm Beach product has scored four TDs and averaged six yards-per-carry over the course of the 2018 season. Known for acceleration and burst across the line of scrimmage, Homer has been the Swiss Army Knife of the the Canes’ offense over the past two seasons.

What’s endearing about Homer’s game is his willingness to complete whatever is asked of him. In 2017, after starting tailback Mark Walton went down with an injury, Homer assumed the lead back role. Even with the new role of starter, you would still see No. 24 run down the field on punt coverage and kick coverage looking to decleat whoever got in his way. Not usually one of the first names that gets mentioned with the Canes’ offense, Homer was one of its more consistent producers all season long, which is reflected in most of his games.

Miami fans have witnessed it many times before: Homer runs up the middle for two yards. Homer runs left for minimal gain. Nothing appears to be going for the back, until…. Homer runs right for a gain of 47. It’s a near eventuality — Travis Homer is going to break a big one if you keep feeding him the ball.

With 37 receptions in his career for a total of 405 receiving yards during his UM tenure, Homer possess the skills required of runners at the next level to be multidimensional in today’s game. Not the most elusive of runners, or blessed with the type of speed that would initiate a conversation to be a star in 100 meter sprints, the Oxbridge Academy graduate does have enough speed to create seperation from second level defenders and is more than strong enough to endure the rigors of a full NFL season. Although he’s dealt with some nagging injuries, the back has not missed a game in the last two years.

As a junior, the man that is more known for letting his play do the talking stepped up to be the leader the program needed. With more time in front of cameras, standing behind podiums and surrounded by microphones, the usually reserved Homer showed off some more of his personality. Displaying anger and disappointment in the lack of accountability after a practice, the back took it on himself took it on himself to maintain the standard expected when you represent the U. Homer also stepped up to defend teammates during a difficult losing stretch, helping to rally the team out of a brutal slump in the middle of the ‘18 season.

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The junior running back has made a habit of cutting his teeth as a solid blocker in pass protection despite displaying some of the more fashionable mouthguards in the nation. Homer may have not been the main attraction for the Canes, but he was most certainly the heart, pumping life into the offense at the most opportune moments team. With the exception of passing, Homer did everything for the Canes. From making a tackle on special teams to breaking into a big run on offense, expect to see No. 24 provide an immediate impact in the NFL in his usual way. As a Hurricane, Homer displayed leadership by stepping up to say what the team needs to hear, not what they want to hear. We respect the back’s decision and wish him nothing but the best going forward.

What Does This Mean for Miami

The running back room just got a little less crowded and has freed up some more carries for the 2019 season. It’s hard to imagine that, as a junior, DeeJay Dallas won’t get first shot at being the lead back next season. However, Miami is blessed to have other talented backs on the roster: Lorenzo Lingard will be a redshirt freshman returning from injury and Cam’Ron Davis has been a pleasant surprise in 2018 who will factor into the RB rotation in 2019. Miami also has Robert Burns and Crispian Atkins providing depth at the position.

IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE U!