Miami Football: Who can replace Ahmmon Richards after retirement?

Miami football lost a good one, as wide receiver Ahmmon Richards was forced to retire from the sport due to a disabling neck injury.

Richards’ injury was reported by The Miami Herald Saturday night, hours after his team scored a come-from-behind victory over rival Florida State, 28-27.

Several outlets viewed the 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior as a potential first round NFL draft pick. He was limited to one game this year, where he made one catch for nine yards, due to a knee injury suffered in a loss to LSU.

Richards took to social media to reach the Hurricane supporters, posting “From the HEART I appreciate all of my fans.”

Just prior to posting that message, he wrote “Last time…mixed emotions” with a tweet attached sent out of the locker room celebration by Miami after the win.

https://twitter.com/AhmmonR2/status/1048739945597349890

In 2016 as a freshman, Richards had a breakout season, catching the attention of the nation after he hauled in 49 passes for 934 yards with three touchdowns. He averaged over 19 yards per reception, giving the Hurricanes a deep threat on offense.

The following season, he was limited to seven games played, catching 24 passes for 439 yards with three more scores. Richards averaged just over 18 yards per catch that year.

For his career, Richards ends with 74 receptions for 1,382 yards ans six touchdowns.

Richards becomes the second Miami player in the past 10 months to see their career come to an end early, joining cornerback Malek Young. Young suffered a neck injury in the Orange Bowl.

Without Richards, the Hurricane passing game has relied on Jeff Thomas, Mike Harley and Lawrence Cager among others this season to help ease the transition into the starting quarterback role by freshman N’Kosi Perry.

Thomas has 13 catches for 320 yards with two touchdowns, Harley has 15 for 173 and Cager has nine for 174 and four scores. Two of Cager’s touchdowns came in the win over Florida State.