Miami football alums quickly sign as undrafted free agents
Cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and D.J. Ivey and tight end Will Mallory were the only Miami football players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Several other Miami alums quickly signed as undrafted free agents with NFL franchises. Linebacker Caleb Johnson signed with the Jets and punter Lou Headley with New Orleans.
Miami Herald columnist Barry Jackson is providing updates on where Hurricanes’ alums are signing. Defensive lineman Mitchell Agude and offensive lineman D.J. Scaife signed with the Dolphins late on Saturday night. Other Miami undrafted free agents are DL Antonio Moultrie, OL Justice Oluwaseun and LB Waynmon Steed.
Hedley is listed as the ninth-best undrafted free agent punter by NFL.Com. Hedley was named first-team All-ACC in 2022, second-team All-ACC in 2020 and 2021 and a 2020 second-team All-America, Second Team Associated Press. In four seasons with Miami Hedley averaged 45.2 yards per punt with 77 punts inside the 20.
At 29 years old and with punters rarely getting drafted it was expected that Hedley would have to sign as an undrafted free agent to compete for a spot in the NFL. Saints punter Blake Gillikin was 21st in the NFL in 2022 averaging 46.4 yards per punt. Gillikin tied for 14th averaging 41.6 net yards per punt.
Johnson finished fourth on Miami with 48 tackles in 2022, had four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles after transfering from UCLA during the 2022 offseason. The Jets are guaranteeing $57,500 to Johnson per Aaron Wilson of NBC Houston.
The Dolphins signed Agude per Field Yates of ESPN. Agude who also transfered from UCLA finished fifth on Miami with 39 tackles, second with seven tackles for loss, fourth with four sacks and had two quarterback hits and one forced fumble. Agude joins former Miami All-American Jaelan Phillips with the Fish.
Moultrie was primarily a backup for Miami in 2022. After transfering from UAB Moultrie primarily was a defensive tackle for Miami in 2022. Moultrie finished with 14 tackles, two TFLs, 0.5 sacks. one QB hit and one forced fumble. The versatility that Moultrie can provide on the defensive line could help him as a UDFA.
Scaife signed with the Dolphins late on Saturday. Scaife started 53 out of the 61 games he played for the Miami football program over five seasons. At 6’3 and 314 pounds, Scaife provides versatility on the OL. Scaife primarily played right guard and tackle for Miami. NFL.Com ranked Scaife as the 17th-best UDFA interior OL.
Oluwaseun and Steed could have a difficult time being signed as undrafted free agents. Both players struggled throughout their Miami careers with injuries. Oluwaseun started eight games for Miami in two years after transferring from UNLV. Steed finished his Miami career with 83 tackles and eight TFLs.