:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69529928/usa_today_13610512.0.jpg)
Dee Wiggins is a 6’3” Junior from Miami Southridge. The hometown product was still among the team’s offensive leaders after starting in all of the teams eleven games last year. Wiggins ranked fourth in both receptions (31) and receiving yards (358).
Wiggins has the ability to play vertically down the field. His first touchdown of the season came over rival Florida State when Wiggins caught a beautiful 40 yard post from D’Eriq King in the lop sided 52-10 win.
TOUCHDOWN CANES!
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) September 27, 2020
D'Eriq King finds Dee Wiggins for a 40-yard touchdown. 28-3 Miami. #FSUvsMIA pic.twitter.com/MNrp5c3r7c
Wiggins however has been plagued with inconsistency especially in terms of drops. He finished with one catch in the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl vs. the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. This costly drop could have led to six points. This was not a random occurrence.
Keyshawn Smith has flashed every single game he has played this season. There is absolutely no excuse why Wiggins stayed in the game last night. So many costly drops including a perfectly designed screen dropped that would’ve been a TD. https://t.co/1mI7yTSUn8 pic.twitter.com/BPQ0GRIN1I
— Robby Espin (@robbyespin) December 30, 2020
The wide receiver room is crowded. The emergence of Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo this spring has even further shifted the microscopic view onto Wiggins. Number eight simply does not have the time to navigate a season trying to find the confidence in his hands.
The Clemson Tigers showed an early blueprint when they beat the Miami Hurricanes 42-17 in Death Valley. Dabo Swinney and defensive coordinator Brent Venables dared you to throw outside. Miami simply could not do it. Against one of the elites of college football, the Clemson cornerbacks owned the Hurricane pass catchers including Wiggins.
Clemson dared you to throw it on the outside. You need to make the plays on the outside avenue if you want to be successful. @TheStateOfTheU @OrangeBowlBoys 2nd half action is on deck. pic.twitter.com/yPY7vmXPMq
— rOmaN (@Romancane) October 12, 2020
If the Miami Hurricanes are going to hit the next level in terms of an offense and productivity standpoint, it will need more from its X receiver. That is the role that Wiggins assumed in 2020. The X wide receiver is the guy who typically will get the one on ones. The X can take over a game.
That simply didn’t happen last year and I fully anticipate a new face in that starting capacity in 2021. Wiggins still has a plethora of talent and has flashed here and there but the light eventually must stay on.
Manny Diaz has had this unfortunate knack for favoring upperclassmen in lieu of more talented younger options. The Hurricanes cannot do so any longer. In a put or shut up year for the Hurricane head coach you need to come out swinging. That requires you to have surgical sure hands when you do so.