Miami TE pipeline still flowing. Mallory, Arroyo formidable duo, but sr was limited in camp
The University of Miami tight end pipeline has been flowing for decades.
Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham, Clive Walford, David Njoku and most recently Brevin Jordan are among the tight ends who became elite at the U before entering the NFL.
Soon, wisdom and experience will merge with youth and flair — often at the same time — to contribute to an offense that the Hurricanes hope will bring ample diversity to slow down defenses and accelerate UM toward the goal posts.
“We’re showing signs of greatness,’’ said 6-4, 235-pound sophomore Elijah Arroyo, the youngster in the latest Hurricanes top tight-end tandem.
“It’s a reason I’m excited to play my last year here,’’ said 6-5, 245-pound fifth-year senior and team leader Will Mallory. “Coach Gattis’ offense is heavily involved in the tight end. That comes with a big responsibility and we’ve got the room to do it. We’re ready for that challenge.’’
Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis came to UM this year from Michigan, where he won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant. He is known to play multiple tight ends at one time.
TE-heavy
“I feel very confident they will be involved heavily,’’ Gattis said of the tight ends. “Will has the ability to be a special player in this league. He can do a lot, not just in the run game, in the pass game, as well as in pass protection.”
Mallory, who injured his left shoulder in the spring and had surgery March 23 to repair a torn labrum, has worn a red, no-contact jersey for most of fall camp and has been sidelined for both scrimmages, according to a source. His status for the 3:30 p.m. Saturday home opener against Bethune-Cookman (ACC Network) will likely be clarified Monday by coach Mario Cristobal.
Mallory announced he’d be returning for his senior season last November.
In 2021, he started all 12 games and was the fifth leading receiver and top tight end, with 30 catches for 347 yards and four touchdowns. He missed the entire spring of 2021 recovering from labrum surgery in his right shoulder after catching 22 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns in 2020 behind 2021 Houston Texans fifth-round draft pick Brevin Jordan.
“Will is everything you want within a program,’’ Miami tight ends coach Stephen Field said. “He makes coming to work great because you know you’re coming in to coach a guy that works his butt off and is a great team player.’’
Elijah Arroyo
Arroyo, a consensus four-star prospect when he signed with UM in 2021, caught five passes for 86 yards and a touchdown in 12 games last season.
Arroyo was born in Orlando, moved to South Florida when he was a baby and became a Hurricanes fan. He attended baseball camps in Coral Gables and at age 7 moved to Mexico. He lived in Cancun until about age 12, when he moved with his family to Texas.
He was a left-handed quarterback for the freshman team at Independence High in Frisco, Texas. He started three games at junior varsity quarterback as a sophomore before being promoted to varsity and transitioning to tight end. As a junior he caught 48 passes for 648 yards and five touchdowns and as a senior caught 31 passes for 690 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“I was able to take a lot of reps with the [first team],’’ Arroyo said of getting extra practice time with Mallory being limited. “That’s getting me a lot better. When we’re on the field at the same time, we’re able to switch around. We’re interchangeable.’’
Arroyo said the Hurricanes’ blocking schemes are “a lot different” and “more complex,’’ but that he “can do a lot of different things.”
“We can run the same thing 10 different ways,’’ Arroyo said of Gattis’ offense.
The tight ends also include 6-2, 225-pound redshirt freshman Kahlil Brantley, 6-5, 230-pound freshman Jaleel Skinner, 6-4, 254-pound third-year sophomore Dom Mammarelli and 6-4, 234-pound redshirt sophomore Robert Prosek.
More reps
“In the grand scheme, having them get a lot more reps is good,’’ Mallory said. “Hey, we’ve got a talented group here and each of us can help the team in our own way.”
Mallory was asked about the off-field buzz surrounding the program.
“There’s a change,’’ he said, “a lot of new stuff going on. I hear it all the time. The team is very excited. We’re seeing the changes being made and the improvements physically with us, but that comes with all the work. Guys are feeling confident, feeling good about themselves...
“I came here to win championships and unfortunately I haven’t been able to do that yet. For my last year it’s something that means a lot to me and to what I want to do for the school as a legacy.’’
