Reviewing Miami Hurricanes Pro Day

Fifteen Miami Hurricanes went through Pro Day today under the watchful eye of representatives from all 32 NFL teams who were on hand to evaluate and watch the Hurricanes go through a variety of tests, exams, drills, and measurements.

It was an early morning as the Hurricanes began their Pro Day at 7 am. HurricaneSports provided a timeline of the day for the Miami Hurricanes Pro Day.

The day began at 7 am. Mark Richt appeared on the Joe Rose show on WQAM. Rose and his team broadcasted outside of the Schwartz Center on Campus. Rose spoke to Richt about spring football, recruiting and the players participating in pro day.

"“We had a nice meal yesterday for all of them,” Richt says. “We talked a little bit about what the day is going to be like, and we just told them that we love them and we look forward to seeing them do their thing today.”"

The scouts and team representatives started to roll in as the hour approached 8 am. Football Operations Assitant Justin Wells and Assistant Director of Operations/Recruiting Relations Brooke Wilson handed out credentials to the guests checking in from the NFL.

The Hurricanes Director of Player Development Joel Rodriguez was also there. He oversees Miami’s Pro Day and is the U’s liaison to the NFL.

Rodriguez was an offensive lineman at Miami and discussed his 2005 pro day.

"“I just remember the nerves,” Rodriguez said. “It’s different than a game because with a game you know what you’re walking into. On Pro Day you’re not exactly sure exactly what’s going to happen, who’s going to be there, who’s going to work you out…Once it’s over, it’s like a 10,000-pound gorilla off your shoulders.”"

After the scouts and team representatives checked in, they went upstairs to the second floor where they met the players. Once there, they observed the players get measured in height, weight, hand size and wingspan. Some of the teams had individual meetings with the players.

At 10 am. Rodriguez welcomed the attendees in the auditorium. He gave the Microphone to Miami’s Assistant Athletic Director of Academics Director of Football Academics Demetrus Darden and the Associate AD/Athletic Training, Vinny Scavo.

Darden discussed each player’s individual academic standing. Scavo next spoke about any injuries the players had. Richt finally took the mic to thank the NFL representatives for coming to campus.

At 10:45 the group moved downstairs to the Squillante Strength & Conditioning center for physical testing. All of the players took part in the bench press, vertical jumps, and broad jump.

Fullback Marquez Williams impressed the most in the vertical jump. Some of the current Miami players were in the weight room during the bench press. Williams was again the most impressive on the bench press.

At 11:15 the group ventured outside to the practice fields to conduct drills. The 40-yard dash opened the outdoor drills as they ran two heats.

Among the attendees was Super Bowl winning coach Bill Belichick of the Patriots. He was spotted chatting with UM Defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski.

They were later joined by Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz and Safeties coach Ephraim Banda. Scavo was also spotted chatting with Former Miami Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde.

The shuttle and cone drills were next, to be followed by players doing drills by position. Miami’s two elite players Tight David Njoku and Quarterback Brad Kaaya were up first.

Kaaya threw 70 scripted passes and he looked good. Kaaya threw passes to other NFL hopefuls Njoku, Wide Receivers Stacy Coley and Malcolm Lewis, running back Joe Yearby, Williams, and Tight End Standish Dobard.

More from Canes Warning

Many former Hurricanes attended the Pro Day to offer support. Among those there with Testaverde was Jon Beason, Duke Johnson, last year’s first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers Artie Burns, the Chicago Bears Deon Bush former Quarterback Stephen Morris, and the Chargers Travis Benjamin

Richt, Diaz and Banda’s biggest rebuilding job this offseason will be rebuilding the secondary. That is the deepest group of Hurricanes with hopes of attracting interest when the draft commences next month.

After the workouts were completed, former Hurricane secondary men Corn Elder, Rayshawn Jenkins, Jamal Carter and Adrian Colbert competed to show their skills.

Guard Danny Isidora and Punter Justin Vogel earned all-ACC Honors in 2016. They also had a chance to show what they can do in front of the NFL scouts and representatives. Isidora was able to show off his strength and footwork. Vogel showcased a strong and accurate leg that has him poised to be a possible late-round draft pick.

Isidora was able to show off his strength and footwork. Vogel showcased a strong and accurate leg that has him poised to be a possible late-round draft pick.

When the players finished up their workouts by position, Richt spoke with local media and the NFL network before he checked out the players’ individual workout the NFL teams had with some of his players. The workouts would last until 2 pm.

Next: Today is the Miami Hurricanes Pro Day

After the days’ workouts concluded everyone went back to their regular daily activities. The teams will now go back to their locations and evaluate the Hurricanes players to see if they are a good fit for their teams. The draft will commence April 27 in Philadelphia.

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