Fifteen players have been drafted in Mark Richt’s first two seasons leading the Miami Hurricanes. The 2019 NFL Draft could be the Miami’s most successful since 2007.
As many as four Miami Hurricanes are projected to be selected in the first round of next Spring’s draft. Several Miami Hurricanes players could leave after their Junior seasons in 2018.
They include wide receiver Ahmmon Richards, running back Travis Homer, defensive end Joe Jackson, and the linebacking core of Shaq Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud.
Senior defensive backs, Jaquan Johnson, Sheldrick Redwine and Michael Jackson, quarterback Malik Rosier, offensive linemen Tyree St. Louis, Jahair Jones and Tyler Gauthier, defensive back Jhavonte Dean and defensive linemen Gerald Willis and Demetrius Jackson will also have opportunities to make the NFL next season after they conclude their collegiate careers.
Nearly as soon as the 2018 NFL draft ended, the 2019 Mock Drafts were published. Richards and Joe Jackson were consensus first round picks. Johnson and Michael Jackson were projected potential first-round picks in some of the mock drafts.
Richards will likely have to have a bounce-back season to be selected in the first round in 2019. He missed five games last fall with injuries after a record-setting Freshman year in 2016.
Richards is the best and most proven on a deep and talented Miami Hurricanes wide receiver core. If he struggles with injuries in 2017 Richards might not be able to regain his status back as Miami’s top receiver. Richards was unquestionably the Hurricanes top receiver heading into the 2017 season.