Countdown to Canes Football: No. 8 Colbie Young
The long list of big-play Miami Hurricanes wide receivers to have ended up in the NFL is something that today’s Countdown to Canes Football player should have in his sights.
While there’s a long way to go, this young man’s combination of great hands, size, and speed make him one of college football’s best wide receivers.
Who’s been discussed before today? Full Countdown to Canes Football List
Colbie Young
Size
: 6-foot-4, 215 pounds
Class
: Junior
Position
: Wide Receiver
Today's Countdown to Canes Football player will be Colbie Young (up at 8 a.m. via: https://t.co/wlebVxKqZp)
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) July 19, 2023
Canes fans, how many receptions will Young snag in 2023?#TheU
Recruitment and Background
From an obscure recruiting location in Binghamton (N.Y.) High School, along the northern Pennsylvania border and due south of Syracuse. He decided to go to junior college to increase his recruiting interest and attended Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton, Pa.
He had a big freshman season there and averaged nearly 20 yards per reception; the recruiting interest skyrocketed for Young. He selected Miami over a host of other Power 5 schools including Penn State and Florida State.
Note: Lackawanna Junior College is the same institution that former Canes great Bryant McKinnie attended prior to enrolling in Coral Gables. Small world. That’s also Young with McKinnie in the photo up above at the top of the article from this year’s Legends Camp on the campus of Miami.
Young’s 2021 Statistics
In 2022, Young played in 10 games.
Receptions: 32
Yards: 376
Average: 11.8
Touchdowns: 5
Young’s Penchant For Big Plays
After moving up the depth chart and having a chance to show what he could do, Young’s production went from zero catches through the first four games to 18 through seven contests. That includes five touchdowns.
Against North Carolina, Duke and Virginia Tech, Young became a go-to receiver. His big plays include multiple acrobatic snags along the sidelines and end zone.
Now, Time For Big Plays In Every Game
As the saying goes, “A player’s best attribute is his availability.” If there’s an offensive Canes player other than quarterback Tyler Van Dyke that needs to stay healthy, a good argument could be made for Young. He’s Miami’s one true big-bodied receiver that has proven on-field success. He must play in all 12 games for the Canes to maximize their offensive capabilities.
Seeing Young at the Legends Camp, no question, he’s putting in the time to train his body properly to help him be a dominant player this season. That’s a great sign.
Connecting With Van Dyke
At the end of the North Carolina game, Young caught three passes and a score during one drive in the fourth quarter. Those moments need to become a consistent theme in 2023, and quite frankly, they should.
With Van Dyke and Young now knowing each other’s tendencies well, there’s no reason for the two to be a dominant combination. Further, even when going against teams like Clemson and Florida State, teams that possess high-end talent in the defensive backfield, Van Dyke and Young should still put up numbers and give the Canes a chance to win.
Doing The Little Things
Young is a big dude. When the Canes run the football, he should be able to manhandle most cornerbacks, period. He’s just bigger and stronger. Now it’s about “want to” and effort, too. If Young truly wants to take his game to the NFL level and become a pro one day, this is a great category to show his abilities, play after play.
Additionally, continuing to work his craft with routes, i.e. double moves, getting in and out of breaks. Sounds simple. It’s not. The smallest of details can be the difference between Young catching a touchdown and a pass being incomplete.
Seeing Young during spring ball, interviewing him, and then seeing him again via Legends Camp, there’s no question this wide receiver is motivated and each of the above points should work out favorably for him and Miami.
2023 Projection
Look for Young to be clutch this season. Third downs, red zone, producing a dominant block on a fourth down and one play, and being a leader as well.
By all accounts, Young appears to be locked in for a big 2023 season. He will challenge for All-ACC honors this fall, and also receive national recognition as well.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.