Miami WR Key’Shawn Smith: Josh Gattis will unleash “amazing” playbook on opponents, weighs in on Mike Redding's emergence

AUG. 11 PRACTICE NOTES WITH DRILLS FULLY OPEN TO MEDIA

Miami Hurricanes Fall Camp Comprehensive Coverage

There’s one returning wide receiver on the Miami Hurricanes roster who can lay claim to not only starting every game last season, but also being the top returning pass catcher.

That’s third-year sophomore Key’Shawn Smith, a speedy 6-1, 182-pound downfield threat.

With the above said, though, there’s no certainty in Smith’s role this season. He didn’t exactly light things up with Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo the main 2021 threats – Smith finished with 33 catches for 406 yards and three TDs. His biggest statistical game was an 82-yard effort against Pittsburgh.

This fall Smith’s facing competition from Jacolby George, who played a backup role last year but has a lot of upside in his own right. It’s also possible Mike Redding, Frank Ladson or Colbie Young, mainly working at the X spot right now, could move to Z depending how things go.

After watching all of Thursday’s practice in full pads, though, it seems Smith is on track to be a weapon in this Miami passing game. He had a couple of TD catches and looked the part as a speedy playmaker down the field.

“All the receivers, we get together with all the quarterbacks and we’re just trying to get the timing down for the season,” Smith said. “The chemistry is stacking up. After practice we’re getting extra throws, trying to get that timing down. It’s getting better and better by the day.”

He added that “Today we got after it, it was physical, that’s what coach wanted today.

It’s important at least a couple of the aforementioned WRs step up to complement a slot spot that has Xavier Restrepo and Brashard Smith. After all, for star QB Tyler Van Dyke to play his best, the receivers have to get open and make plays for him.

Smith said after the team’s Thursday practice that he’ll do his part.

“We don’t know yet (the starters or rotation),” Smith said. “We’re still competing, just having fun right now.”

Smith work hard this offseason to improve and detailed some of his gains.

“I feel the difference, I look different, love the way I feel,” Smith said. “With coach (Aaron) Feld, he’s heavy on expensiveness. We’ve been working on that all summer.”

Interestingly, Smith said coordinator/WR coach Josh Gattis (a former defensive player) “teaches us the game from a defensive perspective.”

“Having that is a win-win for us, because we get both sides of the ball from his coaching,” Smith said.

Smith also said the new playbook under Gattis is “amazing.”

“All the plays he has in store for this season is going to be great,” Smith said. “(WRs) get to move around, move into the slot, move outside. That’s a big difference, we didn’t get to do that last year.”

As for his expectations for this year’s team?

There are on concerns from Smith.

“I’m excited, we can’t wait, can’t wait to win,” he said.

*Asked about Frank Ladson, a Clemson transfer WR, Smith said, “It’s nice to have a big type of receiver like him, because we don’t have that. We have stretch the field speed and to have a big receiver like him for the red zone is a good thing to have on the team.”

* Redding was working in for first team reps today, and Smith was asked about him. “Mike has been eating, and we’re all happy for that,” Smith said. “He came off an injury last year, missed pretty much the whole season. I’m happy to se him back out, him in the rotation is great for all of us.

“Mike knows everything. If anyone in the receiver room has any questions and don’t ask coach, we’re going to ask Mike. Mike is a really good teammate, a really good player. Mike knows the playbook the best.”