WR Colbie Young Talks Tyler Van Dyke, Miami Offense
The big-play threat for Miami’s wide receivers last year was Colbie Young, a junior college transfer that materialized into one of Miami’s best all-around players.
Young, now a junior with the Hurricanes, met with the media yesterday. He had some interesting points to make about a number of topics, beginning with his own body’s physical transformation.
“I’m 213 right now,” Young began. “Last year I was around like 220. So I was able to put on a little bit more muscle and cut off some fat. Just eating better, getting better nutrition around me.”
As for the initial reason to change his body, Young offered the following.
“Just to feel better, you know? The ACC is definitely faster than JUCO, so I just gotta be able to compete and stay in shape as best as possible.”
Young was also excited about Miami’s new wide receiver coach, Kevin Beard.
“Oh, amazing! (Head) coach (Mario) Cristobal does a great job of putting people that have been around greatness, that have been around great players. He has a plan, he’s already been around great receivers that have made it to the first round (of the NFL Draft) type of play. So, amazing guy, really good to learn from him.”
With Beard at the helm of the wide receiver room, Young has confidence in what is to come for him and his teammates.
“As a unit, we’re just so dominant that our receiver room should be very special. There’s no pressure on just one person. We’re all just going to go out and just make plays.”
One of those receivers would be Jacolby George, a player that’s now healthy. Young gave praise to George’s ability.
“Just one of the best receivers I got to watch and work with. I like seeing him run routes a couple of times. Let him go in front of me to dominate.
Big, strong, physical guy. Fast, just getting out of his breaks. I try to model my game after him a lot.”
As for the offense overall, Young liked where offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s offense will take the Canes, especially with deep balls.
“Just more shots, you know? Just go all-out, drive, run every route like a go-ball. We’re just trying to get that ball in the air a lot more, and just look out for each other.”
As for learning the offense, Young was pleased.
“It’s pretty simple. Right now it’s spring, so we’re taking it one step at a time. It’s pretty nice.”
Of course Young needs to continue to grow his relationships with the Miami quarterbacks, and he discussed playing with Tyler Van Dyke.
“Just repetition,” Young said about feeling comfortable with Van Dyke. “You know, routes on air. Coach Dawson emphasizes this is where we got to get our money right now. This is where we’re going to get better.”
Young also talked about Miami’s newest quarterback early freshman enrollee Emory Williams.
“Emory, he was actually – when I was on a visit here – my first visit here, he was here with me.
“It’s great to see him out here throwing great passes; very accurate. Very humble guy. He’s a little nervous right now, but he’s great quarterback. He’s going to be amazing.”
As for two more early enrollees – Robby Washington and Nathaniel “Ray Ray” Joseph – Young was high on both of them as well.
“Fast. Those boys are really fast. They are going to take the top off of the defenses and open up that space for other receivers to come underneath. I’m really excited to get them healthy and get them out there.”
Young also discussed his own maturation process as a receiver, including be more well rounded and not just focusing on making plays down the sidelines.
“Whatever coach (Beard) needs me to do to help out the offense, but when those jump balls come, I gotta go make plays. That’s the bread and butter.
“Getting in and out of breaks, undercutting, catching everything that comes my way, gotta be a key for me.”
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