Thomas Full of Pride as Hankerson Rewrites Records
Nov. 9, 2010
By: Rob Dunning
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – An elite few can fully appreciate what it takes to be a star receiver at the University of Miami. From Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas to Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson, the list of elite University of Miami receivers is impressive.
Senior Leonard Hankerson isn’t quite there yet, but he isn’t that far away either.
Arguably one of the best players in the country at his position, Hankerson has emerged over the last two seasons as Miami’s go-to player on offense. After struggling to be productive and stay on the field his first two seasons in Coral Gables, Hankerson’s work ethic, attitude and rare ability have him turning heads on the national level.
Thomas, who starred at UM in the early 90’s and has kept a close eye on the program since, has a great appreciation for Hankerson’s development and contributions over the last four years.
“I have seen the young man mature and become a great receiver,” Thomas said. “I had the pleasure of watching Leonard Hankerson when he was in high school. He had a lot of tools and ability but sometimes that always doesn’t translate to the next level. He had a pretty rough first couple of years, especially his first year with the transition. He was very inconsistent. He would make a great play and then disappear for a couple of weeks.
“What I have seen of this young man since is the maturity of saying `I want to be the best’. Anytime that you have that type of mindset you are going to be a better ball-player.”
Hankerson’s game-winning touchdown grab with 37 seconds to play in Miami’s comeback win over Maryland on Saturday just about sums up how important he has become to the program.
When Miami needed everything, it was Hankerson whose name was called.
“Coach [Mark] Whipple called the right play,” quarterback Stephen Morris said after Saturday’s win. “We worked on it in practice and I knew when he called it, the play would work. The rest was just Hank doing what he does best.”
Best known around the program as `Hank’, Hankerson has a rare combination of size, speed and strength that few possess. That combination has made him a serious threat on both the deep ball and short field.
“One of things that he has perfected is being able to position his body and run great routes,” Thomas said. “I enjoy watching him run routes. You can tell that he has worked really hard on the little things. Inside the red zone, he has learned how to position his body to be able to not always out-jump, but to out-want the defender in the red zone. That’s a key weapon to have to have the ability to out-want your opponent in the red zone.”
That desire and passion for wanting the ball has put him alongside that group of Thomas, Irvin, Wayne and Johnson as the only `Canes to have recorded at least 10 receiving touchdowns in a single season. One more and he ties Irvin’s 1986 mark of 11 for the record. Two more and he is in a league of his own.
That is just the beginning.
Only two Hurricanes have ever recorded back-to-back 800-yard receiving seasons – Irvin and Johnson. After 801 yards in 2009 and 743 through nine games this year, it appears Hankerson is on his way to becoming the third.
He has 19 receiving touchdowns in his career, tying him with Santana Moss for fifth all-time. He has scored at least one touchdown in seven of UM’s nine games.
His production is certainly there on paper, but it’s his impact off the field that often goes unnoticed. As one of the team captains and senior leaders, Hankerson is looked up as a father figure to the younger `Canes. His work ethic in the offseason has been well documented and it’s a big reason for his improvement over the last two years.
“The sky is the limit for this kid,” Thomas said. “I do see him making money on Sunday. He is going to thrive. I think he is going to continue to get better and that is what it is all about.”
Hard work pays off. Hankerson is a walking testament to that. He has gained the respect of his teammates, coaches and former players for how hard he has worked and how far he has come.
“It has been amazing to watch him,” Thomas said. “I am a big fan of Leonard Hankerson. He is the playmaker of this century that we have been looking for.
“We (UM Football alums) are all very proud of him.”
