2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Xavier Restrepo, Miami

The Miami Hurricanes offense ranked as one of the top passing units in the country in 2024. Future first-round pick Cam Ward helped engineer a high-octane passing attack, and Xavier Restrepo was one of his favorite targets. Flourishing from the slot, Restrepo reeled in several big catches and came up clutch for the Hurricanes at times in 2024. In a slightly underwhelming receiver class, Restrepo has a chance to stand out and be picked on day two of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Measurables:

5’10”

209 pounds

Watch: Film Study on Tre Harris, Xavier Restrepo and Evan Stewart

2025 NFL Draft Profiles

Player Background:

Coming out of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Restrepo was recruited by several big-name programs. He chose to stay in state and play for Mario Cristobal. Restrepo came to Miami as part of a top-15 recruiting class in 2020 but made a minimal impact as a freshman. The Hurricanes suffered from inconsistent quarterback play for much of Restrepo’s playing career at Miami. Restrepo elevated his game in 2023, finishing as Miami’s leading receiver with over 1,000 yards.

While 2023 was an improvement, it wasn’t until Cam Ward took over in 2024 that Restrepo exploded onto the scene. In his final year at Miami, Restrepo again topped 1,000 yards receiving and recorded 11 touchdowns. His big-play ability earned him All-America honors alongside Ward in 2024. Restrepo left Miami as the school’s leading receiver in receptions and career receiving yards. No other Miami receiver in school history had recorded 1,000-yard receiving seasons twice in their career until Restrepo.

Strengths:

Xavier Restrepo is at his best in the slot. He’s smooth as a route runner and sharp coming out of his breaks. Having played with Ward, Restrepo developed a knack for helping his quarterback extend the play by improvising. The two developed chemistry in just one year at Miami, and Ward often looked toward Restrepo in clutch moments. At Miami, he displayed soft hands and is a natural pass-catcher, plucking the ball out of the air mid-route.

Restrepo had several big plays to help Miami’s offense in 2024, taking short passes into long gains or finding holes in the defense after the play broke down. Restrepo is quick out of his breaks and can slip through coverages to find space. His agility and body control allow him to create yards after the catch. Even at his size, he’s able to contribute as a blocker in the run game and is willing to take on contact after the catch. He can be a dirty-work kind of receiver in the right kind of offense and would fit best in a scheme that uses bunch formations and plenty of motion.

Weaknesses:

Restrepo’s size is not ideal for the next level. At Miami, there were times that he was bullied off the line or overpowered in his blocks. This can affect the timing of his routes and limit his ability to contribute on the outside as a blocker. There were also times at Miami when he gave up on routes, although that could be partly due to Ward’s tendency to improvise and play off-schedule once the pocket broke down. While shifty and good with the ball in his hands, deep speed is not Restrepo’s best trait.

Playing in a high-scoring offense could help or hurt Restrepo’s stock since his most productive season came when Ward arrived and the offense became more aerial. Restrepo did not run at the NFL Combine, which could also hinder his draft stock for the teams wanting to see him test.