Miami Hurricanes Football 2015 NFL Draft Profile: Clive Walford

Only a week into Clive Walford's first workouts on the Glades Central High football team, Head Coach Randy Shannon had seen enough. Up until he first donned pads, Clive was a power forward for the Raiders and following his first take on the field, he had received a scholarship from the place he would soon call home, the University of Miami. From averaging a double-double his junior year on the basketball court to earning All-Palm Beach honors in his first steps on the field, the rise had begun.

"I fell in love after my first catch. If I had started playing earlier, there's no telling where my talent would be right now." - Clive Walford

After redshirting his first season, Clive Walford spent his next four years at Miami as the lead contributor at tight end, and often as the leading receiver on the roster. Whether it was catching passes from former quarterback Stephen Morris or ACC Rookie of the Year Brad Kaaya, Walford was ever-present in the passing game. Following a senior campaign where he amassed 676 yards and seven touchdowns on 44 receptions, Clive Walford finds himself in a favorable position as he enters the NFL Combine. With such success under his belt and Draft Day drawing near, Clive looks confident. Here's what the departing Cane had to say to reporters at the NFL Combine: "I am the best tight end in this draft because I can block, I can catch, I can run after the catch, do everything that a tight end is expected to do."

With the combine underway, Walford isn't just letting his mouth do the talking, he's showing scouts exactly where his confidence stems from, and it may well be justified. His 40-yard dash time (4.79) did not impress by any means, but he left Friday with positive results.

#UTough #Canes #TheU RT @RoadToRadioCity: #Miami TE Clive Walford with a 10' broad jump. Better than Gronk, Graham and Ebron, FWIW.

— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 20, 2015

Highlights: From his one-handed grab between two Wake Forest defenders, to his 61-yard rumble against Florida State, Clive Walford had his share of memorable plays at The U. But on the whole, it takes looking at Clive's workload over the last four years to put his importance and productivity into perspective. From starting as a redshirt freshman to earning Third Team All-American his senior year, here are Clive Walford's season totals.

Height: 6'4" Weight: 251 lbs.

Strengths:

• Versatile - Able to line up on the line, in the slot, and as an H-back.
• Decent speed - Quick in small spaces. Has the potential to outrun linebackers.
• Reliable blocker
• Physical - Fights for the ball. Locates the ball well.

Weaknesses:

• Drops - His catching needs to be more consistent. This is a problem that's plagued Walford throughout his time at Miami. While more often than not he's making the catch, you want more dependability out of your starting tight end at the professional level.

Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round. Clive Walford held combine meetings with the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Stay tuned to State of the U for more updates as The U's next round of ProCanes prepare to hear their names called at Radio City.