It's been over 30 years since wide receiver Michael Irvin dazzled on the gridiron for the Miami Hurricanes, but his connection with The U will live on forever. His son — tight end Michael Irvin II — has done all he can to follow in his father's footsteps, but his days in South Florida are officially over.
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As the Hurricanes and head coach Manny Diaz began spring practices in early March, the 6-foot-3, 234-pound redshirt senior had been noticeably absent. The rumors swirled and the Hall of Famer's son entered the NCAA Transfer Portal before the coronavirus pandemic hit, according to CaneSport.
That didn't mean Irvin would leave the Miami football program for good, but it definitely seemed very possible at the moment and it became a reality.
Michael Irvin II Transferring From Miami
UM tight end Michael Irvin Jr. is transferring, reports @Canesport. Has 11 catches for 111 yards in career. Hasn't been at 1st 2 spring practices but remains on UM's official roster. No comment to this point from UM. His father was invited to speak at UM's alumni weekend April 3
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) March 4, 2020
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Michael Irvin II was never been a big part of the Miami offense. He only caught two passes for 33 yards last year and has recorded 11 catches for 111 yards during his NCAA college football career with no touchdowns. However, losing the son of a legacy could be a tough pill to swallow for the ACC program.
Of course, it was going to be hard to live up to the unfair outside expectations. After all, Michael Irvin lit up defenses for three years at the University of Miami before becoming an NFL superstar for the Dallas Cowboys and entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Michael Irvin II definitely gave it a shot, though. He played on special teams as a freshmen, started three games as a sophomore, missed the entire regular season with a knee injury the next year, and came back to start three games as a redshirt junior last season.
A former three-star recruit from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Irvin had big-time offers from Georgia, Michigan, SMU, Syracuse, UCF, and Wake Forest during his recruitment back in 2016, according to 247Sports.
Michael Irvin II could have always return to Miami, but it is the end of an era.
Michael Irvin II Transfers to Florida Atlantic
Thank you 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/GZdmEzAZzp
— MICHAEL IRVIN II (@M_Irvin17) June 8, 2020
Over three months after Michael Irvin II entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, social media buzzed when he announced his transfer destination. He will suit up and play for the FAU Owls and former Florida State head coach Willie Taggart next season.
Only time will tell what impact he will make this fall, but he has the chance to earn a starting role.
This post was originally published on March 4, 2020 before updating.
