Xavier Restrepo talks about chemistry with Tyler Van Dyke

Xavier Restrepo missed a majority of the 2022 season due to a foot injury. A tough one for the Miami Hurricanes offense, which needed some star power alongside quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. But Restrepo is now back, hoping to have a fully healthy year after making it out of spring ball clean.

The goal of Miami’s 15 practices was to get Restrepo and Van Dyke back on the same page. According to the wide receiver, the mission was accomplished. Following the spring game, Restrepo spoke on the chemistry with his quarterback reconnecting.

“The work we’ve put in together the last three years is really coming together,” Restrepo said. “God’s timing is perfect, that’s how I look at it. Again, it’s coming back together.”

Restrepo recorded just 240 yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions a season ago. A lot of the production came during a Week 1 game against Bethune-Cookman as well. Once Miami started facing off against higher-level competition, Restrepo was either hurt or not making too big of an impact.

Being off the field played a factor in the lack of production once returning from injury. Restrepo was not a huge fan of being away from the team and not getting offensive work.

Thankfully, the passion for football is still there and he still enjoys making plays with Van Dyke. Chemistry continues to be a common theme post-spring, especially when the Hurricanes are in need of picking up a first down.

“Taking time off from something you love is just not a good feeling,” Restrepo said. “So, being able to get back on the field — even on long downs like third and longs, fourth and longs — being able to just have that chemistry. He’s expecting me to be open and I’m expecting him to throw me the ball. There’s no better feeling than that.”

For a few days, NCAA transfer portal rumors were swirling with Van Dyke. Miami was able to keep him and town and continue to be the team’s starting quarterback. Head coach Mario Cristobal would have been sent scrambling if not.

Nobody will be as excited about that decision as Restrepo. The duo came up in the same recruiting class and have been through it all over the past three seasons. Potentially going out on a positive one would be a fitting way to end their careers in Coral Cables.

Thankfully, the chemistry is locked in and ready for a vital 2023 season.