Malik Mayweather possesses a famous last name. He doesn't share the same luxurious trappings as one of the richest boxers of all-time, though. The Miami Hurricanes receiver couldn't even count on financial aid in the form of an athletic scholarship. Coach Mark Richt changed that on Friday, though. The coach of the Hurricanes decided to reward one of his hardest working seniors with a full athletic scholarship for the 2017 season.
Mayweather earns his way
After Friday's practice, Richt announced his decision to put the rising junior on scholarship for the upcoming semester. He'll only need it for that long, Mayweather is set to graduate at the end of the fall semester. Richt praised Mayweather for his contributions, both on and off the field. That being said, it's definitely more of a reward for the attitude he brings off the field since Miami rarely plays him.
Mayweather started his collegiate career with the Hurricanes but ended up transferring to East Mississippi Community College for a couple of years before returning in 2016.
He played in last year's season opener against Florida A&M, but that's the only time the 22-year old has seen the field for Miami. According to Miami DieHards, he was one of the winners of the Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-on Award last season. Maybe Richt will have more of an incentive to play Mayweather this season.
Hurricanes season outlook
If Mayweather does contribute, he'll be helping out a team with high expectations for Richt's second season at his alma mater. Miami has yet to win a division title in the new-look ACC, but they could pull it off this year. They have plenty of star power across positions, from linebacker Shaquille Quarterman to defensive lineman Joe Jackson (no, not the Michael Jackson family patriarch).
The prestige of the program is clearly beginning to return as well.
The one issue the team may have would involve getting Mayweather - or any of the other receivers - the ball. The Hurricanes have an open competition at quarterback, the most important position in the game. Freshman N'Kosi Perry has the most potential out of any option at Richt's disposal. Malik Rosier and Evan Shirreffs will make sure the battle goes down to the wire, though. That decision will determine whether Miami finally wins the ACC Coastal Division for the first time or has another season where high expectations were not matched by play on the field.