The Miami RedHawks enter the 2026 season with one of the deepest and most intriguing wide receiver rooms in the Mid-American Conference. Head coach Chuck Martin and offensive coordinator Pat Welsh have assembled a talented blend of experienced veterans, Power Four transfers, returning contributors, and promising young players who give Miami plenty of options in the passing game.

While replacing departed production is never easy, the RedHawks have no shortage of athletes capable of making an impact. The room features proven collegiate experience from programs like Ohio State, Arizona, Washington, UCF, Notre Dame, Indiana, Kentucky, Gardner-Webb, and Bethune-Cookman, giving Miami one of the most experienced transfer groups in the MAC.

If the quarterback position develops quickly, this receiving corps has the potential to become one of the conference’s best and help Miami compete for another MAC Championship.

Meet the Wide Receiver Room

Miami’s wide receiver unit includes:

• #1 Maleek Huggins (Senior) – Bethune-Cookman/Gardner-Webb
• #2 Brady Simmons (Redshirt Senior) – Indiana
• #3 Quintin Simmons (Redshirt Freshman) – Kentucky
• #4 Devin Hyatt (Redshirt Junior) – Arizona
• #8 Damarion Witten (Junior) – Ohio State
• #10 Lynel Billups-Williams (Redshirt Junior)
• #12 Carl Jenkins (Sophomore) – UCF
• #18 Braylon Isom (Redshirt Sophomore)
• #18 Justen Hodge (Freshman)
• #23 Ian Tepas (Redshirt Freshman)
• #24 Scoop Smith (Freshman)
• #27 Jackson Ruth (Freshman)
• #80 Michael Parrish (Redshirt Junior)
• #82 Andrew Bjorson (Redshirt Freshman)
• #84 Tristan Reed (Freshman)
• #86 Wilson Roberts (Redshirt Freshman)
• #87 Leo Scheidler (Senior) – Notre Dame
• #88 CJ Castner (Redshirt Freshman) – Indiana State
• #14 Will Pressley (Freshman)

This is one of the deepest position groups on Miami’s roster, combining veteran leadership with exciting developmental talent.

Maleek Huggins – The Proven Playmaker

Background

• Senior
• 5-foot-11, 180 pounds
• Bradenton, Florida
• Transfers from Bethune-Cookman and Gardner-Webb

Strengths

Huggins arrives with significant collegiate experience and is expected to be one of Miami’s primary playmakers. He is a quick, elusive receiver who excels after the catch and has the acceleration to stretch defenses horizontally and vertically.

His experience makes him a reliable target on third downs and in key offensive situations.

Areas for Improvement

Continuing to improve his consistency against physical press coverage will help maximize his production against the MAC’s top defensive backs.

Brady Simmons – The Veteran Leader

Background

• Redshirt Senior
• 6-foot-1, 173 pounds
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Transfer from Indiana

Strengths

Simmons brings valuable Big Ten experience and polished route-running ability. His understanding of coverages and dependable hands make him a quarterback’s best friend.

He projects as one of Miami’s most reliable possession receivers.

Areas for Improvement

Adding strength and becoming more dangerous after the catch would make him an even bigger offensive weapon.

Devin Hyatt – The Big-Play Threat

Background

• Redshirt Junior
• 6-foot-2, 192 pounds
• Bradenton, Florida
• IMG Academy graduate
• Transfer from Arizona

Strengths

Hyatt possesses excellent size, speed, and athleticism. He has the physical tools to become Miami’s primary vertical threat while also creating mismatches against smaller cornerbacks.

His Power Four experience gives him an advantage entering the season.

Areas for Improvement

Improving consistency and finishing contested catches will allow Hyatt to fully capitalize on his athletic ability.

Damarion Witten – The High-Upside Transfer

Background

• Junior
• 6-foot-3, 206 pounds
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Glenville High School
• Transfer from Ohio State

Strengths

Few receivers in the MAC possess Witten’s combination of size, athleticism, and pedigree. His large catch radius makes him an ideal red-zone target, while his physicality allows him to win contested catches.

If he reaches his potential, Witten could become one of the league’s most dangerous receivers.

Areas for Improvement

Like many transfers, Witten must adjust to a larger offensive role and improve week-to-week consistency.

Lynel Billups-Williams – The Slot Weapon

Background

• Redshirt Junior
• 5-foot-9, 177 pounds
• University Park, Illinois
• Crete-Monee High School

Strengths

Billups-Williams provides quickness and versatility from the slot. His agility allows him to create separation underneath, while his speed makes him dangerous on screens, jet sweeps, and special teams.

Areas for Improvement

Adding strength will help him handle physical defenders while improving his effectiveness as a blocker.

Braylon Isom – The Physical Receiver

Background

• Redshirt Sophomore
• 6-foot-3, 217 pounds
• Saginaw, Michigan

Strengths

Isom is one of the biggest receivers on the roster. His size makes him an excellent red-zone target and a difficult matchup on fade routes and contested catches.

Areas for Improvement

Improving acceleration and route precision will help him separate more consistently from defensive backs.

Michael Parrish – The Reliable Veteran

Background

• Redshirt Junior
• Whitehouse, Ohio
• St. Francis DeSales

Strengths

Parrish offers dependable hands, football intelligence, and positional flexibility. Coaches value players like Parrish because they consistently execute assignments and provide stability.

Areas for Improvement

Generating more explosive plays after the catch would elevate his production.

Carl Jenkins – The Emerging Talent

Background

• Sophomore
• Transfer from UCF
• 6-foot-2, 177 pounds

Strengths

Jenkins possesses excellent athletic upside and length. He has the ability to develop into an every-down outside receiver capable of stretching the field.

Areas for Improvement

Experience and consistency remain the biggest areas of growth.

The Young Talent

Miami also boasts an exciting group of developing receivers:

• Quintin Simmons (Kentucky transfer) brings Power Four upside.
• Andrew Bjorson has excellent size and developmental potential.
• Wilson Roberts offers versatility and strong route-running ability.
• Ian Tepas provides physicality and dependable hands.
• Justen Hodge, Will Pressley, Tristan Reed, Jackson Ruth, CJ Castner, and Scoop Smith all represent the future of the position.

This young group gives Miami outstanding depth and long-term stability.

Overall Strengths of the Unit

Outstanding Depth

Few MAC programs can match Miami’s overall depth at wide receiver. The RedHawks have multiple players capable of contributing immediately.

Power Four Experience

Transfers from Ohio State, Arizona, Washington, Indiana, Kentucky, UCF, Notre Dame, and other Division I programs provide valuable experience against elite competition.

Size and Athleticism

The room features a strong mix of taller outside receivers, quick slot options, and explosive athletes capable of creating mismatches.

Versatility

Miami can line up multiple receivers in different positions, allowing the offense to create favorable matchups and disguise formations.

Biggest Areas Needing Improvement

Develop Chemistry with the Quarterback

A talented receiver room only reaches its potential if timing and communication with the quarterback are consistent.

Explosive Plays

Miami needs more receptions of 25-plus yards to keep defenses from crowding the line of scrimmage.

Red-Zone Efficiency

Several larger receivers have the ability to dominate inside the 20-yard line, but converting those opportunities into touchdowns will be critical.

Consistency

Avoiding dropped passes and maintaining production throughout conference play will determine whether this group reaches its ceiling.

How Miami Compares to the Rest of the MAC

The MAC traditionally features balanced offensive attacks, and Miami’s receiver room stacks up extremely well against the conference.

MAC Wide Receiver Rankings (Projected)

Elite Tier

• Miami
• Toledo
• Ohio

Upper Tier

• Bowling Green
• Western Michigan
• Northern Illinois

Middle Tier

• Eastern Michigan
• Central Michigan
• Buffalo

Developing Tier

• Ball State
• Akron
• Kent State
• UMass

Thanks to its transfer additions, veteran leadership, and impressive depth, Miami enters the season with arguably one of the two or three best receiving corps in the Mid-American Conference.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Miami RedHawks wide receiver room has all the ingredients to become one of the program’s biggest strengths.

Veteran leaders like Maleek Huggins, Brady Simmons, Devin Hyatt, Damarion Witten, Michael Parrish, and Leo Scheidler provide experience and proven talent, while players such as Lynel Billups-Williams, Braylon Isom, Carl Jenkins, and Quintin Simmons add athleticism and upside. The talented freshman class further strengthens a unit that is built for both immediate success and long-term growth.

If the RedHawks establish consistency at quarterback and develop chemistry throughout fall camp, this receiver group has the potential to rank among the MAC’s elite. Their combination of speed, size, depth, and transfer experience gives Miami the weapons necessary to challenge opposing defenses every week and position the RedHawks for another run at the conference championship.