Manny Diaz says NFL Draft shows Miami Hurricanes hard work pays off

The leaders on the 2019 Miami Hurricanes who were selected in the 2020 NFL draft were the top culture guys according to head coach Manny Diaz. Diaz said that should serve as motivation for the 2020 season.

In an appearance on the Hochman and Crowder Show on Thursday afternoon Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said that the four players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft should send a message to the players on the Hurricanes this fall that being a hard worker will be rewarded in the NFL Draft.

Former Miami Hurricanes, linebacker Shaq Quarterman and DeeJay Dallas were selected in the fourth round by Jacksonville and Seattle, wide receiver K.J. Osborn went in the fifth round to Minnesota and defensive end Jonathan Garvin was taken in the seventh round by Green Bay. Several other Miami players signed as free agents.

Quarterman and Dallas went higher than expected, Osborn close to where he was projected, but Garvin slipped by at least a couple of rounds. WR Jeff Thomas and DE Trevon Hill who were expected to get drafted signed as undrafted free agents with the New England Patriots. A pair of other Hurricane signed as UFAs.

Cornerback Trajan Bandy signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and striker Romeo Finley who came to Miami as a safety signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an LB. Alums teaching the Miami football players the importance of hard work and the Hurricanes culture has been critical in past success. Diaz spoke about the message.

"“Without having to say it, everybody saw that really our top culture guys were the ones that were picked first. You look at a guy like K.J. Osborn, who came in and established himself from Day 1 as one of the hardest working guys in our program, and really changed his status from a guy at Buffalo who might have been on the free agent-seventh round fence to becoming a guy picked in the fifth by Minnesota.The other great lesson, which our guys understand and I think we’re a little bit different group of teammates this year than they were a year ago, is everybody’s connected and when the team wins, everybody wins and if the team doesn’t win, that hurts everybody.So banding together with like-minded people who want to work hard and grind for each other, and starting to eliminate some of the guys that necessarily don’t not only helps us win in the fall, but that’s going to help our guys in April, as well, and that’s certainly what we’re working toward as a program.”"

Osborn transferred to Miami from Buffalo in January 2019. From the moment he joined the Hurricanes Osborn became the leader of a young WR room in need of leadership. Osborn led the Miami football team in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and punt returns in 2019.

Thomas was expected to be that player. Disciplinary issues and suspensions throughout his career at Miami led Thomas to go undrafted. There is no doubting his talent, but NFL teams want a player who is willing to put in the hard work and be reliable. Thomas could be on his last chance with the Patriots.

Quarterman and Dallas were the ultimate Miami Hurricanes. Quarterman set a Miami record by starting in 52 games, every game in his college career. Dallas was the leader of the 2017 Miami recruiting class and the type of player all coaches want. As a freshman after playing QB in high school, Dallas began as a WR.

Due to injuries, Dallas had to move to running back as a freshman. In three seasons Dallas finished with 1,527 rushing yards to rank 22nd in Miami history and 17 TDs to tie with Frank Gore for 13th. Garvin had a breakout sophomore season in 2018 but regressed as a junior. His effort was questioned causing him to slide in the draft.