Sophomore wide receiver Brian Hightower announced on social media on Monday night that he would be submitting his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Hightower, a former four-star recruit, caught eight passes for 88 yards this season.

Hightower released the following statement on Twitter:

"To my University of Miami family and friends…It’s been truly a blessing to be a student-athlete at THE University of Miami. I’ve made family and friends which I’ll have the rest of my life. I would like to thank coach Mark Richt, coach Manny Diaz, and all the members of the athletic and academic staff as well as Athletic Director Blake James. I am forever appreciative of the brothers I have made here along with the staff and U family embracing me, making my experience as great as possible. Since I arrived at the U I’ve given all I could and my fellow teammates can vouch for that. As with every decision I make, I trust the path which God has chosen for me. After careful consideration and discussion with my family and THE University of Miami coaching staff, I am entering my name into the transfer portal to openly explore the best opportunities to utilize my remaining eligibility and pursue my education. I pray this decision is respected. Thank You."

Hightower has played in all seven games this season for the Hurricanes. According to Pro Football Focus, he received just nine snaps on offense against Georgia Tech. The previous week against Virginia, Hightower played eight snaps.

His season high for snaps for a single game came against Bethune-Cookman with 31.

Hightower was fifth on the team in targets this season, ahead of Dee Wiggins and Mark Pope.

As a freshman in 2018, Hightower received 209 snaps and caught four passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Hightower’s touchdown came in the season open against LSU, when he caught a 32-yard pass from Malik Rosier.

Hightower is a native of California, but he played his high school football at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Hightower ranked as the No. 154 overall player in the country and he was a four-star recruit.

Coming out of high school, Hightower was regarded as a sure-handed receiver that could make difficult receptions in traffic.