No Miami football players in top 10 at position on Mel Kiper Jr. Big Board

Eight Miami football players from the 2019 Hurricanes participated in the NFL Combine. ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. does not have any of the Miami alums ranked in the top 10 at their position on his Big Board.

The eight Miami football alums that participated in the NFL Combine at the end of February and in early March are not expected to be taken until at least the fourth round of the NFL Draft. ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. does not have any of the Miami players who participated at the Combine in his top 10 by position.

Four 2019 seniors and four juniors took part in the testing at the combine in Indianapolis. Senior linebacker Shaq Quarterman and juniors, wide receiver Jeff Thomas and strongside defensive end Jonathan Garvin were all ranked in the top 10 at their positions coming out of high school.

Running back DeeJay Dallas just missed the top 10. Dallas ranked 12th as an athlete coming out of high school. Cornerback Trajan Bandy and Dallas were the most dedicated of the eight Miami players who competed at the combine.

In three seasons, Dallas ran for 1,527 yards and 17 TDs and added 28 receptions for 317 yards and another two TDs. Dallas could be valuable as a kick returner in the NFL. He averaged 21 yards on 20 kickoff returns and added 11 punt returns with an impressive 17.4-yard average and one TD.

Bandy led Miami in each of the last two seasons combining to break up 17 passes. At 5’8 Bandy is slated to be a slot CB in the NFL. Bandy told The Athletic that his skillset matches up best in the slot.

"“Without a doubt. I think I can play both, (outside) cornerback and in the nickel. But I think I excel way more in the nickel.”"

Matt Miller of the Bleacher Report is the most renowned draft expert to project seven rounds of the NFL Draft. Dallas, linebacker Shaq Quarterman and defensive end Trevon Hill are the only Miami players he projects to be drafted. It is a surprise that the number is that low.

Bandy and Garvin both have excellent chances to be selected. Kiper stated Garvin could go as high as the third round.

"“To see anybody in the third round out of that group would be very debatable. I don’t see it right now…Maybe you see a pass rusher potentially like Garvin — maybe somebody reaches a bit there. I don’t think that’s going to happen, though.”"

During a teleconference call with reporters as written by Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald quoted Kiper as saying he expects“You’re going to see I think a host of Hurricanes go on Day three.” 

Kiper is also high on Thomas who was the 40th ranked player in the country coming out of high school and the fifth-ranked WR in the class of 2017. The longtime ESPN draft guru expects Thomas to make an NFL team. Thomas sticking in the NFL will depend more on his dedication and less on his talent.

"“Jeff Thomas, to me, is going to make a team as a guy who can get it done as a wide receiving entity…I think he’s probably going to project right now as more of a fifth-rounder.”"

The players from Miami who are selected in the NFL Draft, for the most part, will be lower compared to their peers at their positions entering the NFL than where they were ranked coming out of high school. It’s debatable what the reasoning is. If high school rankings are truly accurate Miami players are not developing enough.