BY SCOTT MORGANROTH
From the minute we arrived on the University of Miami Campus, it was apparent that there would be very few places to park when the Canes held their Pro Day at the Indoor Facility in April. We parked in the swimming parking lot.
The reality is there would be 20 football players working out for all 32 NFL teams. The main attraction was QB Cam Ward. The workout was around three hours as the players had to run various drills, demonstrating speed, catching abilities while cornerbacks and safeties had to show the scouts that they could be able to stop big plays.
It was an intense workout. It helped others draft stock and hampered some players as well.
Ward clearly impressed the Titans and was selected by them as the first overall.
Two players that had great seasons would be signed as undrafted free agents.
Wide receivers Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo signed with the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans respectively.
When I presented a question to Daniel Jeremiah before the NFL Draft in Green Bay, because of Restrepo’s substandard speed, he was a tough evaluation.
That proved to be the case in the NFL Draft. The NFL evaluators didn’t care that Restrepo is the Canes all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,844, had 200 receptions along with 21 touchdowns. They viewed him as a slot receiver. Being undrafted was a blessing in disguise as he’s being reunited with Ward.
Before the workout got started, I had a chance to speak to NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger and not only did he give his takes about the draft, but praised Miami Coach Mario Cristobal for resurrecting the program. You can see that video in this story.
We also have videos in this story from the players that were made available to us. I hope you enjoy them.
The Hurricanes had seven players selected in the NFL Draft, the most at UM since 2017.
Their top selections included Ward and tight end Elijah Arroyo, who was selected in the second round (No.50 overall) Friday by the Seattle Seahawks.
On the Final Day of the NFL Draft, there were five Hurricanes that heard their names announced.
Offensive lineman Jalen Rivers (fifth round, Cincinnati Bengals), linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (New York Jets, fifth round), defensive end Tyler Baron (fifth round, New York Jets), kicker Andy Borregales (sixth round, New England Patriots) and running back Damien Martinez (seventh round, Seattle Seahawks) were all selected.
I have a feeling that Martinez will be the sleeper in this draft as he’ll be paired in the same backfield as Kenny Walker III.
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As far as the Canes Spring Game a few weeks later, The Hurricanes Communications staff did a smart thing. They didn’t print out rosters and didn’t waste any paper. Starting QB Carson Beck didn’t participate in the workout.
In reality, that’s what it was and on campus for the fans to see since the team plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium.
When the workout was over, Cristobal was available for questions and one of the questions I asked him was about guardian caps, which the team utilized.
You’ll find his interview and the other players in this story as well.
Candy Ebling, my photographer/videographer was extremely busy that day, but Mother Nature gave her a comfortable day with a little bit of a breeze to work with.
We’ll see how the transfer portal plays out over the next couple of months and at the end of July, it will be interesting to see what players and coaches will be available before the start of training camp.
Scott Morganroth can be reached at [email protected]. He can be found on X @TribuneSouth.
To see his broadcasts, there is no cost to subscribe to the South Florida Tribune YouTube Channel.
Finally, he write a book called “Lessons From The Microphone” which can be purchased on Amazon/Kindle and Barnes & Noble.
