Miami football alums Jhavonte Dean and Trayone Gray sign with Cleveland Browns

Former Miami football players, running back Trayone Gray and cornerback Jhavonte Dean became the seventh and eighth Hurricanes alums on the Cleveland Browns roster when they signed contracts after rookie minicamp this weekend.

Trayone Gray and Jhavonte Dean join other former Miami football alums on the Cleveland Browns roster. Miami’s all-time rusher Duke Johnson and 2018 Browns third-round pick, defensive end Chad Thomas are among the former Hurricanes with the Browns.

Cleveland is coming off its best season since 2007 when they were 10-6 but missed the playoffs. The Browns seven wins in 2018 were more than the previous three seasons combined. After starting off 2-6-1 last season, Cleveland closed by winning five of their last seven games.

Gray and Dean have a great opportunity to join one of the NFL’s most exciting young rosters. Cleveland waived three players to add Dean, Gray and linebacker, Willie Harvey to their roster.

In addition to the Browns that were on the roster prior to the 2019 NFL Draft, Dean and Gray also join safety Sheldrick Redwine who was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round this year. Redwine was the first Miami Hurricanes alum drafted in 2019.

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Redwine should make the Browns team as a middle round draft pick. Dean and Gray have a tougher challenge. Gray switched to fullback in 2018 with Miami. The Browns run a two tight end, one running back set on offense. With Johnson, Nick Chubb and eventually Kareem Hunt their roster Gray faces long odds making the Browns.

The Browns are three-deep at CB according to their depth chart on ESPN. That doesn’t include their top draft pick, CB Greedy Williams of LSU who the Browns chose in the second round. Williams originally was expected to be selected in the first half of the first round in this year’s draft.

The Browns also chose CB Donnie Lewis of Tulane in the seventh round. Dean made a statement in rookie minicamp to prove he belongs on the Browns roster. Dean’s stellar play earned him the invite to Browns’ training camp this summer.

If Dean continues to play as he did in rookie minicamp he might force his way on to the Browns roster. Browns’ coach Freddie Kitchens was impressed with Dean’s play at the rookie minicamp. The corner intercepted two passes and knocked down three others. Kitchens spoke about Dean’s impressive play.

"“It is better to make a play than to not make a play…That is really the only thing that I can say about it right now. He showed up. It was good to see.He made a couple plays on the ball that he didn’t end up with the ball, but he still made the play on the ball. He was a factor. Anytime you are a factor, you kind of stand out. That is a good thing during this time of the year.”"

Redwine congratulated Dean after he secured one of the interceptions. It’s not likely the former Miami football player wore the turnover chain after each of stealing the two passes. Canes Warning’s FanSided partner site that covers the Browns, DawgPound Daily highlighted Dean’s chance to make the roster.

Cleveland is quickly becoming Coral Gables north. The Browns have had Miami football alums star for them in the past. The most notable is QB Bernie Kosar. Former Miami running back Alonzo Highsmith has been the Browns Vice President of Player Personnel since 2018.