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Russ Lande
Sporting News
The University of Miami (Fla.) has produced waves of elite NFL prospects over the years, but this year, the Hurricanes are lacking in potential high first-round picks. As one NFL evaluator noted, the only thing remarkable about Miami's pro day on Friday was how unremarkable the performances were. Although no one flopped, none of the prospects jumped out, either:
— WR Leonard Hankerson didn't do any wowing, but he continued his good postseason with a fine all-around workout. In uniform, he no doubt looks the part of a strong, well-built receiver who can handle getting physical with the NFL's biggest cornerbacks.
— According to sources, Hankerson ran sharp and precise routes, while looking very smooth, fluid and athletic in all of his drills. He also caught the ball well throughout the day. With his size (6-1 5/8, 205), he is the front-runner among a group of three receivers battling to be the No. 3 wide receiver drafted after A.J. Green and Julio Jones.
— After Cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke blew up by running so fast at the Combine, he shed his long-time college nickname -- "DVD" for a new one: "Blu-Ray." That also had team representatives excited to see what he could do back on campus.
Although Van Dyke brings good height (6-0 3/4) to the position, according to sources at the workout, he didn't show the same explosiveness, based on what he did in Indianapolis. Others in attendance noted Van Dyke was benched for part of the 2010 season, and considered the fact he is a workout star who is still bit raw as a football player. When looking at game film of him, Van Dyke grades out as a fifth-rounder, but when you factor in his size, speed and potential, expect some team to take him on a third-round flyer.
— Fellow Hurricanes CB Brandon Harris turned in a solid workout, but observers didn't deem him to be a special athlete. Harris still showed good quickness and agility in positional drills, and unlike Van Dyke, is a more polished, solid football player with the tools to be a great No. 3 or good No. 2 corner. Harris projects as a second-round pick.
— Yet another corner, Ryan Hill, was viewed as one of the more intriguing Hurricanes at pro day, because he played very well when he started in place of Van Dyke last season. Hill has good size (5-10 7/8, 205) and according to sources, he worked out well in the positional drills, displaying better hips and athleticism than expected. When taking account his size, his 40-yard times (from the mid-4.5 to mid-4.6 second range) weren't as bad as they seemed.
Hill is big, strong and physical with good coverage skills, but now that he's shown he lacks explosiveness and elite speed, he will need to settle for a fifth- or sixth-round selection.
— DE Allen Bailey continued to show why the hype of him being a first-round pick entering the '10 season was just hype. He struggled through an inconsistent senior year and didn't show the elite athletic tools to convince NFL scouts he can be a starter. On Friday, he was regarded as "ordinary" throughout his workout, without the needed quick twitch, burst or explosiveness to make scouts believe he can be a top pass rusher. Instead, teams will target him as a big, solid backup in the fourth round.
— On film, OT Orlando Franklin showed elite athleticism and looked like he had the physical tools to be a top-level NFL left tackle if he developed and played up to his potential. Scouts at the workout noted that although Franklin was smooth and fluid all-around, he fell short of elite. For an unheralded player moving up draft boards, that showing may mean his stock tapers out to that of a third-round pick.
— RB Damien Berry came through with a good all-around day. It started with him improving on his 40-yard time from the Combine, running in the low-to-mid 4.5-second range. Weighing in at 207 pounds, he showed good quickness, burst, agility and receiving skills. The report from the workout confirms what was seen on film. As a valuable complementary third-down type back, he projects as a good fourth-round value.
Sporting News
The University of Miami (Fla.) has produced waves of elite NFL prospects over the years, but this year, the Hurricanes are lacking in potential high first-round picks. As one NFL evaluator noted, the only thing remarkable about Miami's pro day on Friday was how unremarkable the performances were. Although no one flopped, none of the prospects jumped out, either:
— WR Leonard Hankerson didn't do any wowing, but he continued his good postseason with a fine all-around workout. In uniform, he no doubt looks the part of a strong, well-built receiver who can handle getting physical with the NFL's biggest cornerbacks.
— According to sources, Hankerson ran sharp and precise routes, while looking very smooth, fluid and athletic in all of his drills. He also caught the ball well throughout the day. With his size (6-1 5/8, 205), he is the front-runner among a group of three receivers battling to be the No. 3 wide receiver drafted after A.J. Green and Julio Jones.
— After Cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke blew up by running so fast at the Combine, he shed his long-time college nickname -- "DVD" for a new one: "Blu-Ray." That also had team representatives excited to see what he could do back on campus.
Although Van Dyke brings good height (6-0 3/4) to the position, according to sources at the workout, he didn't show the same explosiveness, based on what he did in Indianapolis. Others in attendance noted Van Dyke was benched for part of the 2010 season, and considered the fact he is a workout star who is still bit raw as a football player. When looking at game film of him, Van Dyke grades out as a fifth-rounder, but when you factor in his size, speed and potential, expect some team to take him on a third-round flyer.
— Fellow Hurricanes CB Brandon Harris turned in a solid workout, but observers didn't deem him to be a special athlete. Harris still showed good quickness and agility in positional drills, and unlike Van Dyke, is a more polished, solid football player with the tools to be a great No. 3 or good No. 2 corner. Harris projects as a second-round pick.
— Yet another corner, Ryan Hill, was viewed as one of the more intriguing Hurricanes at pro day, because he played very well when he started in place of Van Dyke last season. Hill has good size (5-10 7/8, 205) and according to sources, he worked out well in the positional drills, displaying better hips and athleticism than expected. When taking account his size, his 40-yard times (from the mid-4.5 to mid-4.6 second range) weren't as bad as they seemed.
Hill is big, strong and physical with good coverage skills, but now that he's shown he lacks explosiveness and elite speed, he will need to settle for a fifth- or sixth-round selection.
— DE Allen Bailey continued to show why the hype of him being a first-round pick entering the '10 season was just hype. He struggled through an inconsistent senior year and didn't show the elite athletic tools to convince NFL scouts he can be a starter. On Friday, he was regarded as "ordinary" throughout his workout, without the needed quick twitch, burst or explosiveness to make scouts believe he can be a top pass rusher. Instead, teams will target him as a big, solid backup in the fourth round.
— On film, OT Orlando Franklin showed elite athleticism and looked like he had the physical tools to be a top-level NFL left tackle if he developed and played up to his potential. Scouts at the workout noted that although Franklin was smooth and fluid all-around, he fell short of elite. For an unheralded player moving up draft boards, that showing may mean his stock tapers out to that of a third-round pick.
— RB Damien Berry came through with a good all-around day. It started with him improving on his 40-yard time from the Combine, running in the low-to-mid 4.5-second range. Weighing in at 207 pounds, he showed good quickness, burst, agility and receiving skills. The report from the workout confirms what was seen on film. As a valuable complementary third-down type back, he projects as a good fourth-round value.
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