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The University of Miami's pro timing day, better known as pro day, is now officially in the books. The only thing to eclipse what was a beautiful sunny day was the talent showcased on the Greentree practice fields earlier in the day. The bench press, along with both broad and vertical jumps took place behind closed doors, unavailable to the media. However, the rest of the days activities were fair game.
Teams in Attendance
Representatives from all 32 NFL teams were on hand for today’s event. Among them, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shed his hooded sweater in favour of short-sleeves, cargo shorts and flip flops. The Super Bowl 51 winning coach captured the attention of many spectators on hand. Given that NFL league meetings were simultaneously happening in Arizona, Belichick was the lone head coach in the crowd on the day.
Just a couple of football guys talking shop. pic.twitter.com/AtVw4kKLIR
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) March 29, 2017
‘Canes Fam Showing Love
Just in case you forgot, #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/qjDleKpnAf
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) March 29, 2017
Duke Johnson
Artie Burns
Deon Bush
Tracy Howard
Jon Feliciano
Lamar Miller
Sean Spence
Brandon Harris
Travis Benjamin
DJ Williams
Erik Swoopes
Alonzo Highsmith (Executive personnel with the Green Bay Packers)
Numerous current players and many more!
2017 Pro Day Numbers
| Prospect | Bench Press | Combine 40-yd | Pro Day 40-yd | Vertical Jump | Broad Jump |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prospect | Bench Press | Combine 40-yd | Pro Day 40-yd | Vertical Jump | Broad Jump |
| Brad Kaaya | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| David Njoku | -- | 4.64 | 4.49 | 40 | -- |
| Stacy Coley | -- | 4.45 | 4.33 | -- | -- |
| Danny Isidora | -- | 5.03 | -- | -- | -- |
| Joesph Yearby | -- | -- | 4.73 | -- | -- |
| Justin Vogel | -- | 4.7 | -- | -- | -- |
| Malcolm Lewis | -- | -- | 4.53 | -- | -- |
| Stan Dobard | 24 | -- | 4.74 | -- | -- |
| Marquez Williams | -- | -- | 4.58 | -- | -- |
| Corn Elder | -- | 4.55 | 4.45 | -- | -- |
| Rayshawn Jenkins | -- | 4.51 | -- | -- | -- |
| Jamal Carter | 23 | 4.64 | 4.6 | 36 | 10'4 |
| Al-Quadin Muhammad | -- | 4.88 | 4.78 | -- | -- |
| Adrian Colbert | 10 | -- | 4.38 | 33 | 9'9 |
| Jermaine Grace | -- | -- | 4.58 | -- | -- |
- Pro day times are handheld (unofficial). Combine times are electronic (official)
- Of the nine who went to combine, all who participated improved on their 40 time at pro day
- There are varying 40 times for each participant. The pro day times posted above are represented from data collected by Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post.
Pro Day Takeaways
Talking to a few scouts David Njoku ran pretty similar to what he ran at the combine (4.64). Overall freak athlete. pic.twitter.com/Pnct0DuWJk
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 29, 2017
David Njoku is a freak/beast/cyborg and any other superlative you can think of. A scary 4.49 40-yard dash time for a man-child (20 years-old) at 246 pounds will make NFL defenses nervous starting this fall. He looked comfortable catching the ball with only a single drop of note. The day only served to solidify Njoku as a first-round talent.
Multiple people have Miami CB Adrian Colbert at 4.25 in his 40 at pro day. https://t.co/VmKeh1zE7O
— Peter Ariz (@PeterAriz) March 29, 2017
Adrian Colbert ran a 4.25 (4.38 for others) in the 40! This is a 6'0, 205 pound cornerback. As mentioned in the preview, Colbert is likely going to find his way on a squad. After today he should be worthy of a late round selection to secure those rights. A 40-yard dash time such as his will ease concerns regarding durability, perhaps significantly.
It was an ebb and flow type of morning for Brad Kaaya. Whether it was his, or someone else’s decision to once again skip the 40-yard dash, 3-cone and shuttle drills as he did at the combine, it doesn't paint a great light on player who Miami fans know is a competitor. While fans could also tell you that he's not fleet of foot, or likely to outrun a defender on a given down, it would of been nice from a pure compete standpoint if Kaaya gave some indication of where he was from an athletic standpoint.
After the workout Kaaya stated that a previous foot ailment suffered on the first play against VT had no effect on his pro day performance.
Brad to Njoku #CanesProDay pic.twitter.com/Hd0scL5tv7
— J.T. Wilcox (@JTWilcoxSports) March 29, 2017
What Brad does very well is throw in rhythm, and from the reports throughout the day he excelled in the throwing portion. When there were errors, he was calm, trying to pick up his guys and showoff leadership that should endear him to a team or two.
RB Joseph Yearby clocked in a 4.73 in the 40 on pro day. After workouts he declined to do interviews. Yearby plays much faster on tape than the time he posted. Unfortunately, we’re so late in the draft process that he can only make it up through private workouts. Regardless, there is still a likelihood that a team sees past the 40 time and gives him a shot.
At the end of the workout it appears that the names who were being touted as having a great day were Al-Quadin Muhammad, Corn Elder and Rayshawn Jenkins.
Gotta have violent hands.
— J.T. Wilcox (@JTWilcoxSports) March 29, 2017
More Grace & AQM #CanesProDay pic.twitter.com/CvASgUV2ZM
AQM and Grace showed a good takeoff as well as a mean streak in D-Line drills that were run by Detroit Lions position coach Kris Kocurek.
WR Malcolm Lewis had a solid day! Made some great catches, along with some good route running to put together an impressive day in front of most of the league.
Both FB Marquez Williams and LB Jermaine Grace slimmed down and ran well on the day. Given how fullbacks have cashed in recently in free agency, it appears the position is still viable in today's NFL. If Williams posses a decent pair of mitts to go along with his 4.58 speed, he should be an asset sooner than later for several teams.
Stan Dobard got work in as a TE. He did some drills work that earned praise from those looking on.
Great to be out there with my brothers one more time. It doesn't matter our record or who coaches. Canes always find a way to play on Sunday
— Justin Vogel (@JustinVogel_16) March 29, 2017