BREAKING NEWS: Restrepo Opts Out Of Pop-Tarts Bowl, Declares for NFL Draft
ORLANDO, Fl. - The Miami Hurricanes will be without their all-time leading receiver on Saturday against the Iowa State Cyclones as Xavier Restrepo opted out of playing in the game and declared for the NFL Draft.
He made his announcement on social media on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s been a lifelong dream to play in the National Football League since I was a little 5 year old kid,” Restrepo wrote in the post, in which he also thanks his family, teammates and Hurricanes fans. “Now I believe it is time for me to go pursue my dreams and aspirations!”
I Love You Miami‼️✝️❤️ #GodSpeed pic.twitter.com/arcuj5158Z
— Xavier Restrepo (@XavierRestrepo1) December 28, 2024
Restrepo finished the season with 69 catches for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-American by the America Football Coaches Association and second-team All-American by Sporting News, the Associated Press and the Football Writers Association of America.
Cam Ward will be without two of his major weapons Saturday as he loses two of his starting receivers in Restrepo and Isaiah Horton who entered the transfer portal and enrolled at Alabama.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Scott Salomon joined On SI in April 2024 covering breaking news and analysis for the Miami Dolphins site, and has since contributed to the Miami Heat, Back in the Day NBA, Miami Hurricanes and San Antonio Spurs sites. Scott is based in South Florida and has been covering the local and national sports scene for 35 years. He's covered and has been credentialed for the Super Bowl, the NFL Combine, various Orange Bowls and college football championship games. Scott was also credentialed for the NBA All-Star game and covered the Miami Heat during their first six seasons for USA TODAY. Scott is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott has two sons and his hobbies include watching sports on television and binge watching shows on various streaming services.