In this installment of The Recruit Notebook, we meet a multi-talented player who should be able to carve a niche for himself in a couple of areas: ATH Xavier Restrepo.

Bio

Annually, Miami fans talk about getting “guys who want to be Miami Hurricanes” on the recruiting trail. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who wanted to be a Cane more than Deerfield Beach (FL) ATH Xavier Restrepo.

From the time he began his career at Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas, Restrepo just had a knack for making plays. Whether it was on a jet sweep, or a pass, or a kick return, or a punt return, the 5’9” 185lb Restrepo simply did his job, and did it well.

Though he may have been overshadowed by some of his more notable All-American teammates at Aquinas — of which there were several — Restrepo was a good and steady performer for the Raiders.

Where Restrepo SHINED, however, was the camp and 7v7 circuit. Restrepos performances in these settings is the stuff of legend, and rightfully so. He’s fast and quick and catches everything and runs routes that routinely turned defenders into spinning tops.

But, even with that being the case, the big-time scholarship offers didn’t come.

Once Restrepo entered his junior year at Aquinas, he stepped into a bigger role on the Raiders offense, teams from around the country started taking notice. Slowly, offers started coming in. They were mostly from Ivy League schools — a fact that should tell you about Restrepo’s academic abilities — but he wanted the big time FBS offers. Kentucky was a P5 school that offered early, and it seemed as though that’s where Restrepo was headed.

Before his senior year, Restrepo transferred from Aquinas to Deerfield Beach (FL). That allowed him to maintain top academics (DBHS is one of the best public schools in Broward County) and opened up the ability for him to enroll early, something he would not have been able to do had he stayed at Aquinas (they have a religion credit which is mandatory for 2nd semester senior year and cannot be skipped or replaced or taken on line).

And then the moment came: Miami offered Restrepo in January. After that, he was on campus many, many times. And once given the green light to do so, Restrepo committed to the Canes, fulfilling his childhood dream and ending his recruitment. Restrepo didn’t stop there, however: he had a key role in Miami getting his new HS teammate RB Jaylan Knighton to commit to the Canes, too!

Recruiting Ranking

On the 247sports composite, Restrepo is a 3-star prospect, the #50 ATH nationally in this class, #114 in the State of Florida, and #837 recruit overall.

Restrepo committed to Miami over offers from Kentucky, Air Force, and several Ivy League schools from his list of 23 scholarship offers.

As a player

While Restrepo starred on offense and defense for Deerfield in 2019, he’ll focus his talents on offense in college. And his position there is pretty cut and dry: slot receiver. Now, Restrepo could potentially do a variety of things from that position, but that’s where he’ll play.

Restrepo is both quick and fast. His ability to change direction is a dangerous weapon as a route runner. Restrepo has the ability to make defenders both frustrated and helpless when running option routes, but also has the speed to blow by them if they sit and think he’s gonna stay in the short area of the field.

Having been timed at 4.58 in the 40 yard dash, and 4.16 in the short shuttle, Restrepo has good athleticism and uses it well on the field. Like others before him, Restrepo should have a role on offense, kick return, and punt return. That’s where he fits, and he’s pretty much the prototype at that position.

Strengths

• Quickness
• Hands
• Route running
• Versatility

Weaknesses

• Height
• Physical development

2020 Outlook

With several players in front of him at slot and on returns, Restrepo may struggle to find his way onto the field as a freshman. But, if he’s willing to play on specials and not be the return man, that may be his best chance for playing time this season.

Chances for a Redshirt: 6/10

Could Restrepo sit this year while the older slot WRs and returners play? Yes. But, it wouldn’t really shock me if he earned his way onto the field early on, just like Braxton Berrios did at this same position a few years ago.

That’s it for this installment of the Recruiting Notebook.

Go Canes