Miami wide receiver turning heads at spring practice

With the Miami Hurricanes fully into their 2025 spring practices, the spotlight is now on sophomore wide receiver Nathaniel “Ray Ray” Joseph. Head Coach Mario Cristobal recently lauded Joseph’s performance, stating, “Ray Ray is having an incredible spring.” This development is particularly crucial for the Hurricanes due to the substantial turnover in Miami’s receiving corps from last season.

Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal:

“Ray Ray [Joseph] is having an incredible spring.”

— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) March 18, 2025

The Hurricanes face the challenge of replacing their top six receivers from the 2024 roster. Notable departures include Xavier Restrepo, who is preparing for the NFL Draft, and Isaiah Horton, who transferred to Alabama. Additionally, Jacolby George and Sam Brown have concluded their collegiate careers, leaving a void in Miami’s passing attack. Miami is also losing their top receiving tight end, Elijah Arroyo, to the NFL Draft. Adding to the receiving losses, the Hurricanes are losing QB Cam Ward but he is going to be replaced by Georgia transfer Carson Beck.

Standing at 5-foot-10, the Miami Edison High School alumnus got some playing time as a true freshman in 2023, participating in 10 games and accumulating 251 all-purpose yards. He recorded six receptions totaling 36 yards and contributed significantly on special teams with 185 kick return yards. His sophomore year saw increased involvement, with Joseph serving as the primary punt returner. He amassed 74 receiving yards on six receptions and returned 17 punts for 128 yards.

Joseph’s potential hasn’t gone unnoticed by his peers either. Former Miami WR Xavier Restrepo highlighted Joseph when discussing the next breakout star among Hurricanes receivers, showing the respect and expectations surrounding the young wideout.

During the initial week of spring practices, Joseph’s performance has been a focal point. Alongside fellow receivers JoJo Trader, Ny Carr, Malachi Toney, Joshua Moore, and Daylyn Upshaw, Joseph has been actively engaged in drills, showcasing his route-running precision and explosiveness.

With the departure of key receivers, the Hurricanes are in a transitional phase, seeking new playmakers to step up. Joseph’s development and impressive spring performance suggest he is poised to fill that role. As Miami progresses through spring practices, all eyes will be on Joseph to see if he can translate his potential into consistent on-field production.