The CaneSport 30 for 30: Ranking top 30 Canes with 30 or more reps of experience … No. 21 Elijah Arroyo

We are ranking the top Miami Hurricanes players with 30 or more reps of college experience and seeing how they stack up.

Dec. 31 we broke down our overview of the series, and today we are at No. 21 on the list, TE Elijah Arroyo. Also note the following players on Miami’s roster that didn’t make our Top 30 that do have 30 or more reps of college experience per Pro Football Focus: Ryan Rodriguez (123 reps this year), Jacurri Brown (66 reps), Luis Cristobal, Jr. (66 reps), Jayden Wayne (135 reps), Ahmad Moten (146 reps), Jaden Harris (130 reps) and Jared Harrison-Hunte (505 reps).

NO. 30 SAMSON OKUNLOLA, NO. 29 MARKEITH WILLIAMS, NO. 28 JOSHUA HORTON, NO. 27 SAVION RILEY, NO. 26 AJAY ALLEN, NO. 25 RILEY WILLIAMS, NO. 24 EMORY WILLIAMS … NO. 23 JADAIS RICHARD … NO. 22 RAY RAY JOSEPH

Without further ado, here’s No. 21 on the list (CaneSport will unveil 1 a day over the next month with a closer look at each):

MIAMI TE ELIJAH ARROYO

Analyzing past performance: An injury suffered early in 2022 has derailed the very talented Arroyo (he played in four games that year and had 66 yards receiving), who was supposed to be the next man up at tight end after Will Mallory departed following the 2022 season. Arroyo never really made it back off that injury to full strength, and this past season he was certainly missed as no tight end had more than 72 receiving yards (that was from freshman backup Riley Williams, who played behind blocking tight end Cam McCormick). Arroyo only got 69 reps of action in five games this year, per Pro Football Focus, grading out at a lowly 48.3 percent (56.4 percent as a receiver, 45.5 percent as a run blocker). Heading into last season he was No. 11 on our list of roster talent, so certainly there is still the belief that when healthy he can be a difference-maker. As a true freshman in 2021 he played in every game and started once (he had 5 catches for 86 yards and a TD as a freshman, then 5 for 66 yards in his four games last year). Per PFF in 141 reps as a freshman he graded out at 61.0 overall (54.4 receiving, 57.9 pass blocking, 70.3 run blocking), then in 138 reps in 2022 he graded out at 54.9 percent (69.1 as a receiver, 53.4 pass blocking and 43.5 run blocking).

Why he might star in 2024: Because as you saw this past season there really isn’t a lot of obvious top end talent in the tight end room, and Arroyo has the combination of physicality to help out as a run blocker/pass protector while also already showing in limited reps at Miami that he can make some plays down the field in the receiving game. The 6-4, 235-pounder just has to stay healthy and he should be able to thrive in a Shannon Dawson offense that certainly can use more options in the passing game.

Why he might struggle in 2024: Arroyo just hasn’t proven much to this point. He’s only played 348 total reps in his three years, and he hasn’t graded out particularly well or made a lot of plays in the passing game. So you can say there are question marks regardless of his physical tools or how coaches hold him in high regard.

CaneSport’s projection: Arroyo can be a receiving and blocking threat, but he has to get healthy and stay healthy. He is probablky the most well-rounded tight end on the roster and has plus playmaking ability down the field for sure. He’ll get plenty of opportunities to help this team win games if he overcomes his injury issues, as Arroyo has the speed and size to present mismatches for safeties and linebackers, and he can also help as a run blocker if he really dedicates himself to that side of the game. Arroyo can be an outstanding all-around tight end, he just has to prove himself.

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