There are many NCAA schools riddled with NFL talent on their rosters. Each player has the sparkle in his eye and the hope of hearing his name called in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 27th. The reality is, not everyone can be selected during the seven-round NFL draft. Today, I break down the NFL talent from the University of Miami (FL).
The Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have thirteen prospects that have a chance to hear their name called during the 2017 NFL draft. Let’s take a more in-depth look at each player.
David Njoku – TE
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 246 lbs.
Unless you followed college football extremely close, you did not know who this man was three months ago. And if you did recognize his name, you absolutely could not pronounce it correctly. Last season, Njoku hauled in 43 receptions for 698 yards and 8 touchdowns. He has only played the tight end position for two seasons. We (as fans) may view that as a negative, but coaches look at it differently. They see his upside. Additionally, scouts love his NFL-ready body, elite athleticism, and insane explosiveness. He also has the lateral quickness and agility to best fit a zone-blocking scheme. Here is a good example of his explosiveness.
Possible next big TE out of Miami, David Njoku shows athleticism here. Posted 4.64-40 time, 37.5″ vertical, and 11’1″ broad at #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/18ytaiXHp5
— Tripp Morgan (@TrippMorgan6) March 6, 2017
Also, Njoku’s combine numbers compared very nicely to two other incredible athletes also entering the 2017 NFL draft.
@CharlesRobinson compiled the numbers from the #NFLCombine on these three studs: David Njoku, Mike Williams and OJ Howard pic.twitter.com/xBySfUpsb2
— Aldo Gandia (@AldoBarkeeper) March 4, 2017
#ItsAllAboutTheU TE David Njoku displays Solid Hands & Speed. pic.twitter.com/XE7EYVDc77
— Matt Caraccio (@Matty_OS) March 11, 2017
David Njoku may be the most athletic offensive player in this draft. He would make a great fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (19th overall). Drafting Njoku would give young gunslinger Jameis Winston another athletic target to throw to alongside DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans. How do you stop that passing attack?
Player comparison: Eric Ebron
Brad Kaaya– QB
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 215 lbs.
Brad Kaaya is one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2017 NFL draft class. Kaaya is the Hurricanes all-time leader in passing yards and completions. He brings proven experience (three-year starter), leadership, and knowledge of a pro-style offense to the table. Kaaya feels comfortable under center and running play action plays. However, he throws his best footballs from the pocket. Former Super Bowl winning coach, Jon Gruden, liked what he saw at his “Gruden’s QB Camp” meeting with Brad Kaaya.
Two traits that are directly involved in how successful Brad Kaaya will be are the willingness to prepare and the willingness to take punishment from opposing blitzers to make a throw. One director of Pro Personnel for an NFC team told NFL.com,
“I really love his mental makeup and I want to like him more as a prospect. I just think someone is going to overdraft the person or the intangibles. At the end of the day, he has to throw with better accuracy and velocity or he’ll be just another guy.”
Hopefully, whichever team drafts him, has the foresight and knowledge to teach, groom, and train this young man to grow. As far as accuracy goes, he looks pretty good here:
End zone fade 1: ?
End zone fade 2: ?We see you, @kaaya323 pic.twitter.com/f0ILPDDT2a
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 15, 2017
Look for Brad Kaaya to get drafted in the middle/late 3rd round by a team looking to bolster depth at the quarterback position. Teams like the New Orleans Saints (76th overall), the Denver Broncos (82nd overall), and the Carolina Panthers (98th overall) all would be interested in adding Kaaya. Going to a team with a veteran quarterback presence allows him time to groom and grow.
Player comparison: Geno Smith
The Other Hurricanes
Danny Isidora (OG) – Late 3rd round (90th overall) – Seattle Seahawks.
Corn Elder (CB) – Mid/Late 4th round (133rd overall) – Dallas Cowboys.
Stacy Coley (WR) – Late 4th round (143rd overall) – San Francisco 49ers.
Rayshawn Jenkins (FS) – Early 5th round (155th overall) – Philadelphia Eagles.
Justin Vogel (P) – Undrafted.
Jamal Carter Sr. (SS) – Undrafted.
Al-Quadin Muhammad (DE) – Undrafted.
Marquez Williams (FB) – Undrafted.
Joseph Yearby (RB) – Undrafted.
Standish Dobard (TE) – Undrafted.
Adrian Colbert (SS) – Undrafted.
