Miami football alums happy with performance on pro day

The Miami football alums that performed for NFL scouts at pro day on Monday were pleased with their performances. The Hurricanes players were able to perform inside while the lighting alarm was going off outside.

The six Miami football players who participated at the NFL combine and several others competed in front of about 100 NFL Scouts on Monday. Running back Trayone Gray was the biggest winner. Gray surprised everyone by running a 4.37 40-yard dash. Gerald Willis also impressed scouts in defensive line drills after sitting out at the combine.

Willis persevered through a slightly pulled hamstring after missing combine field drills in early March because of a groin injury. Willis and defensive end Joe Jackson are expected to be taken on the second day of the draft in the second or third round. Willis was the Miami football team’s best player in 2018 with 18 tackles for loss.

The six Hurricanes that participated in the combine are expected to get drafted. That is Willis, Joe Jackson, cornerback Michael Jackson, safeties Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine, and running back Travis Homer. Scouts like Michael Jackson’s size at 6’1 200 pounds and versatility to play either cornerback or safety.

Willis ran a 5.1 40 according to the Miami Herald. He then looked good in the field drills despite the slightly pulled hamstring according to the Herald. Willis, Joe Jackson and DT Tito Odenigbo went through drills run by longtime NFL Coach and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.

Willis spoke to the Sun Sentinel’s Christy Chirinos about getting through the drills with his injury and what it meant for some of his former teammates and Miami alums now in the NFL who were there observing. Willis also has a broken finger he suffered in the Florida State game that he will have surgery on according to the Herald.

"It was real important that I did the d-line drills. That’s what the d-line coaches were worried about. They wanted to see me dominate the drills and that’s what I think I did. I think I did a great job.It’s been tough [dealing with the injuries], but I got my butt in the training room every day, getting healthy. … It wasn’t frustrating at all. I just knew I had to get through the d-line drills and I’m tough enough to do it.”"

It was a tough day running for the big uglies. Center Tyler Gauthier who was suspended for Miami’s Pinstripe Bowl loss to Wisconsin also injured his hamstring running the 40. That finished Gauthier’s pro day.

Gray’s 40 time seemingly came out of nowhere. He was primarily a fullback and was stuck behind Mark Walton, Joe Yearby, Homer and DeeJay Dallas throughout his career. He was very pleased with his performance on Monday and seemed to surprise even himself. Gray discussed how he felt about his performance with Chirinos.

"“Some days, I was about to cry because I was running slow a lot and I knew I could run faster. So I worked hard and what I pulled off today is a blessing. I can move at this weight, at 233.Even if they want me at fullback or running back, I can play both. I can contribute to a team. I can play special teams. I wanted to show them I’m here to compete and I competed today."

Gray missed the entire 2016 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during training camp in August. He did not get a lot of chances to carry the ball in his Miami career. Gray finished his collegiate career with  60 carries for 294 yards and five touchdowns and had six receptions for 54 yards in 29 games.

Offensive lineman Venzell Boulware surprised many when he decided to enter the NFL draft. As with a lot of athletes he chose to turn pro to help his family out financially. Boulware who played one season at Miami as a graduate transfer from Tennessee told Chirinos going against the Hurricanes defense in practice helped him.

"“Being able to go against that defense helped me a lot…That’s one of the best defenses in the country. Any time you’re going against that level of competition, being a part of that day in and day out, it has to make you a better player.”"

Miami’s pro day and the NFL Combine gave about 20 Hurricanes players a chance to exhibit their talents in front of NFL scouts. Being able to conduct the pro day at the Soffer Indoor Practice Facility with lighting outside was an added bonus for the Miami football program.

Willis and Joe Jackson should become good players in the NFL. The other four players who participated at the combine will likely go very late on day two or have to wait until day three to be drafted. Those four, plus several Miami undrafted free agents will be fighting for NFL roster spots in August.