Five Canes Invited to 2016 NFL Combine

Courtesy UM

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Five University of Miami football players were invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, which is set for Feb. 26-29 inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

Artie Burns, Deon Bush, Ufomba Kamalu, Raphael Kirby and Rashawn Scott will be among the 300-plus prospects that will travel to Indianapolis to participate in the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine. The NFL Network will provide live coverage of the event. Miami’s five invitees to the NFL Scouting Combine is the third-highest total among teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Burns is a gifted defensive back who chose to forego his final year of eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL Draft. He received second-team All-ACC honors from both the ACSMA (Atlantic Coast Sport Media Association) and the league’s coaches after he posted a breakout 2015 campaign. A junior from Miami, Fla., Burns led the ACC with six interceptions and ranked fifth nationally. His six interceptions in 2015 are the most by a Hurricane since Sean Taylor’s 10 picks in 2003. In addition, Burns recorded 36 tackles and five pass breakups. Burns also collected interceptions in three-consecutive games, becoming the first Hurricane to accomplish that feat since Taylor did so in 2003.

Bush is another defensive back who made a major impact in his time as a Hurricane. In 2015, Bush earned All-ACC honors after he posting a strong senior campaign at safety. The Miami, Fla., native finished sixth on the team in tackles with 47 stops. He also totaled 3.0 tackles for loss and posted five-or-more tackles in six games this season. In addition, he helped anchor the nation’s 29th–best defense against the pass. Following the 2015 season, Bush was awarded the team’s Hard Hitter Award and was invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Game.

Kamalu had a breakout senior season in 2015, which concluded with being named the team’s defensive MVP. The Fayetteville, Ga., native starting nine of 13 games on the defensive line and totaled a career-high 47 tackles. Kamalu recorded four tackles for loss and had one sack and one quarterback hurry in 2015. He also recorded his first career interception that was returned 46 yards and recovered in the end zone by Jermaine Grace for touchdown in Miami’s 38-21 victory over Georgia Tech. Kamalu, who was one of two players selected as the team’s Most Improved Player, participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Kirby was a two-year starter at linebacker for the Hurricanes who was elected as one of three team captains prior to the 2015 season. The Stone Mountain, Ga., native was outstanding for the Hurricanes as a senior tallying 44 total tackles before suffering a season-ending injury. As a junior, Kirby tallied 54 total tackles to rank fifth on the 2014 team. He also had two interceptions, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, proving to be a disruptive force on the Hurricanes defense. For his career, Kirby tallied 124 tackles while making 19 starts over 39 games.

Scott earned All-ACC honors after he led the 2015 Hurricanes with 52 receptions, 695 yards and five receiving touchdowns. The senior wide receiver also surpassed 100 yards receiving on three separate occasions, including a 151-yard receiving effort in an overtime win vs. Nebraska. Scott played in all 13 games in 2015, making 11 starts, and the Melbourne, Fla., native made a huge impact for Miami. For his career, Scott tallied 91 receptions for 1,247 yards and eight touchdowns. One of two Hurricanes named as the 2015 Most Improved Player, Scott participated in the East-West Shrine Game.

In 2015, the Hurricanes had seven players selected in the NFL Draft. The Hurricanes have had five-or-more players taken in the NFL Draft on 24 separate occasions since 1980.

The Hurricanes have had 93 draft picks since the start of the 2000 season – a figure that is tied for second among all NCAA teams.