Daylyn Upshaw, a sidelined four-star recruit, is gearing up to make a splash for the Miami Hurricanes' revamped offense. After an offseason that saw Miami bolster its wide receiver lineup with talents like All-ACC Cooper Barkate, Vandrevius Jacobs, and Cam Vaughn, Upshaw is a returning player who could carve out a significant role.
Last season, Upshaw's appearances were limited to five games, where he caught seven passes for 105 yards. Part of the same recruiting class as standouts like running back Girard Pringle Jr., safety Bryce Fitzgerald, and edge rusher Hayden Lowe, Upshaw has the potential to shine alongside star wide receiver Malachi Toney.
Hailing from Central High School in Phoenix, Arizona, Upshaw was a four-star recruit who made waves with 160 catches for 2,764 yards and 36 touchdowns over three seasons. He drew attention from top programs like Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas, and Tennessee before committing to the Hurricanes in September 2024.
Despite a significant foot injury that kept him out of the College Football Playoffs, Upshaw is now positioned to be Toney's backup in the slot receiver role. With departures of key players like Joshisa Trader and Ny Carr, the door is open for Upshaw to seize more opportunities.
The Hurricanes’ offense is looking to build on last season and generate more explosive plays. Upshaw had a front-row seat to the team’s journey to the National Championship, gaining valuable insights into what it takes to compete at the highest level.
With Toney coming off a remarkable freshman year-109 catches for 1,211 yards and 13 touchdowns-opponents will be well-prepared for him. However, Upshaw remains an under-the-radar threat, lacking extensive film for defenses to analyze.
As a slot receiver, Upshaw will have the chance to capitalize on his speed and agility, especially with Barkate, Jacobs, Vaughn, and Joshua Moore stretching the field. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson might design plays to highlight Upshaw’s strengths, making him a primary target.
With his talent and familiarity with the Hurricanes’ system, Upshaw is poised to meet the program's new standards and tackle the challenges ahead, potentially becoming a key player in Miami's offensive arsenal.