Miami Hurricanes shut out in NFL Draft Friday. Several expected to be picked Saturday
Get ready for a flurry of Miami Hurricanes being selected Saturday in the third and final day of the NFL Draft.
At least that’s what the top University of Miami draft-eligible players are hoping.
Rounds two and three of the draft continued late into Friday night, but no Hurricane was chosen by the time Day Two ended just past midnight. The draft will conclude Saturday with the fourth through seventh rounds.
The Hurricanes who could be chosen Saturday include defensive end Jonathan Garvin, linebackers Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney, defensive end Trevon Hill, running back DeeJay Dallas, cornerback Trajan Bandy and receivers K.J. Osborn and Jeff Thomas.
“As we know, once someone calls your name out it doesn’t really matter what anybody said about you,’’ UM coach Manny Diaz told the Miami Herald this past week. “It’s about what you do next.’’
Former Hurricane Dallas, one of four Miami underclassmen to declare early for the draft, said recently he’d be at home in Brunswick, Georgia, waiting for the phone call.
“The third day of the draft covers a plethora of ground,’’ Dallas said. “But you never know. Teams have guys on their board, and then those guys are gone and everything shifts. My goal is just to get drafted, honestly.’’
Added former UM linebacker Michael Pinckney, also waiting to see if and where he lands: “I’m not a guy that worries too much. Whatever happens, happens. Whatever is thrown at me, I’m ready to take it. It’s something I’ve been thinking about all my life.’’
The Hurricanes, who went 6-7 in 2019, also didn’t have a player drafted in the first three rounds last year. The first of five Canes to be picked, safety Sheldrick Redwine, went to the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the final day of the draft. After Redwine, cornerback Michael Jackson and defensive end Joe Jackson went in the fifth round to the Dallas Cowboys, safety Jaquan Johnson went in the sixth round to the Buffalo Bills and running back Travis Homer went in the sixth round to the Seattle Seahawks.
Quarterman, who could be among the first Hurricanes taken in the draft Saturday, was asked recently what he would bring to an NFL team.
“The same thing I brought to the Miami Hurricanes,’’ Quarterman said. “My football tape is immaculate — four years of it. I have played sideline-to-sideline making crushing tackles. I polished my game, I graduated, I represented the brand at a high level and was a standup guy on and off the field. I’m a guy who pushes toward greatness.’’
