Miami Hurricanes Football: What You Need to Know About WR Allen Hurns

I can honestly tell you that before last season began, I knew little about sophomore Allen Hurns.  As spring started, I became more and more familiar with him, as he seemed to catch everything thrown his way.

After the very first game against Maryland, I realized he was the real deal when he caught four passes for 69 yards.

Although he struggled sometimes last season, you can hardly blame him, as he spent the previous season primarily on special teams.

Here is what you need to know about Allen Hurns.

Most Experienced Receiver on the Team

To say the Miami Hurricanes' receiving corp is inexperienced is an understatement.  In fact, Allen Hurns is the only returning wide receiver that has over 14 career catches.  He started seven games last year.

In just his sophomore season, Hurns was third on the team in catches (31), yards (415) and finished the season second in touchdowns, with four.

Sophomore Phillip Dorsett is the second leading receiver, with just 14 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.

Good Size

The Miami Hurricanes took a big hit this season when 6'5" Tommy Streeter decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

That left Allen Hurns (6'3") the tallest returning receiver on the team.  Now, height isn't the most important physical attribute, but it does help when most of the cornerbacks are under 6'.

Hurns will need to utilize his size against the shorter cornerbacks and go up and make the plays Streeter made last year.

If he can continue to use good body control, as he did last year, he may even become Miami's deep threat—something Miami lost when Streeter left.

Great Field Vision

If there is one thing about Allen Hurns' game that is surprising, it's his field vision.  Each and every time that Hurns caught the ball, he was able to squeeze out a few more yards with his elusive vision.

Many people think speed and quickness separate the good from the great, but in reality, it's vision; it doesn't matter how fast you are if you don't know where you are going.

Hurns has that vision, which will allow him to have another successful year.

Good Hands, for the Most Part

During Hurns' freshman season, he never caught a pass.  In fact, he was never thrown the ball. 

Last season, he was able to "blow up" with 31 catches, which isn't bad at all considering it was his first full season at wide receiver.

Hurns started out the season catching everything is sight, including some remarkable catches against Maryland and Ohio State.  Then, for some odd reason, he started to drop some passes.

I counted roughly seven dropped passes in the last four games of the season, three of them on third down.

Now, you may say that is nitpicking, but with the lack of depth at receiver this season, it is something he will need to keep under control or it will be a very long season.

Very Quick

Allen Hurns isn't the fastest guy on the team, nor is he the fastest receiver on the team. What he is, though, is one of the quickest, shiftiest players at the receiver position.

His overall speed is less than stellar, but when he is in the open field, the guy is so elusive.  He has extremely quick feet and almost glides when he runs.

Hurns lacks that second gear that Phillip Dorsett and Rashawn Scott have, but makes up for it with his top-notch acceleration.