Miami Hurricanes linebacker Michael Pinckney was a four-year starter. Pinckney is continuing to recover from surgery to repair a torn labrum and sports hernia injury and is ready for the 2020 NFL Draft this weekend.
Michael Pinckney was part of the three-man corps of linebackers for the Miami Hurricanes who started together as freshmen through their junior seasons from 2016-18. Pinckney, Shaq Quarterman and Zach McCloud would have started all four seasons together before McCloud chose to redshirt in 2019.
In four seasons with the Miami Hurricanes Pinckney recorded 267 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, three interceptions and eight pass breakups. After an outstanding performance in the East-West Shrine game, Pinckney required surgery to repair a torn labrum and sports hernia. The injury likely hindered his NFL Draft stock.
Bleacher Report NFL Draft expert Matt Miller ranks Michael Pinckney as the 21st best linebacker in the 2020 NFL Draft. In his seven-round mock draft posted on Thursday, Miller does not project Pinckney to get drafted. Pinckney was a middle to late-round pick before the injury, teams will be cautious with him.
Pinckney told Bri Amaranthus of Sports Illustrated that he was fortunate to receive the surgery for his torn labrum and sports hernia when he did. About a week after the January surgery according to Pinckney, hospitals were shut down. While teams will be cautious, Pinckney is confident about what he will provide NFL teams.
"“Fortunately, I made the right decision to get the surgery at that time. I think like a week later, they shut down all the hospitals. I was talking later to the surgeon and he said I was lucky to get in. I would have been in a bad position if I would have waited and been sitting around to get the surgery.You are getting an invested guy,..You are getting a guy who will do whatever the team asks me to do. I’m willing to learn and I’m trying to make a difference on whatever team I’m selected to.”"
Kiper says that K.J. Osborn, Shaq Quarterman and Trevon Hill all have mid-late round potential, more so than Michael Pinckney.
— Luis D. Sung (@LuisDSung) April 15, 2020
Pinckney signed with Miami in 2016 as a three-star LB out of Jacksonville. He was less heralded than Quarterman and McCloud. Pinckney clearly outperformed his recruiting ranking by starting in 47 out of the 49 games he played in during his four seasons with Miami. Lance Zierlein of NFL.Com discussed Pinckney’s draft outlook.
"“Four-year starter with annual stat sheets that looked remarkably similar in all four years. Ironically, some scouts argue that Pinckney hasn’t shown enough growth and improvement beyond his standout freshman season.He’s physical and plays with decent instincts, but he’s an average athlete and doesn’t play with enough control or balance from snap to snap. He’s been solid at Miami, but his ceiling might be as a backup linebacker and special-teams contributor as a pro.”"
The premise of the lack of growth Pinckney had, at least on the stat sheet, is mostly incorrect. Pinckney played in a career-low 11 games in 2019, yet posted career highs with 12.5 TFLs and five sacks. The 64 tackles Pinckney recorded in 2019 were his lowest since he had 61 as a freshman in 2016.
If Pinkney does have a career as a backup LB or on special teams in the NFL he can still be a quality contributor as a professional. At 6’1 226 pounds, he might have to add more muscle at the next level. Whatever NFL team drafts or signs Pinckney as an undrafted free agent will get a consistent and quality team player.