Undrafted Miami LB Michael Pinckney has message for Canes fans. Don’t give up on him
Former University of Miami linebacker Michael Pinckney said last week that he’s been thinking about the NFL Draft all his life and couldn’t wait to “get to the point of saying, ‘OK, this is the team I’m going to.’’’
Now he realizes the wait will have to be a little longer.
Pinckney tweeted this to his fans at about noon Sunday:
“Y’all take it easy. Coulda been signed with a team. imma get back healthy then we gone make a comeback...the team got a plan @Day1SportsEnt”
Pinckney, from Jacksonville, was one of four of the higher-rated, draft-eligible Hurricanes who went undrafted. The other three who were undrafted, but previously attended the NFL Scouting Combine, were receiver Jeff Thomas, defensive end Trevon Hill and cornerback Trajan Bandy.
Bandy is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent. In total, four Hurricanes were drafted Saturday.
Pinckney was one of the Miami Hurricanes’ steadiest, most productive linebackers, along with teammate Shaq Quarterman, who was the first Cane drafted Saturday in the fourth round. Pinckney started as a true freshman and ended his career with 267 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 14 1/2 sacks and three interceptions, despite playing much of 2018 and all of 2019 with a hip injury and, eventually, a sports hernia.
He had surgery March 20 to repair the tear in the labrum of his left hip, after realizing the pain was too great to adequately perform at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He went to the combine anyway, and said he interviewed with most of the teams.
“My recovery time is five to seven months,’’ Pinckney, measured at 5-11 and 235 pounds, told the Miami Herald during a pre-draft phone interview. “Reports we’re getting now is we won’t see NFL teams until at least August. For me this lockdown thing is a blessing in disguise. It has given me more time to recover.’’
This past season, Pinckney tallied 64 tackles in 11 games, with 12.5 tackles for loss and a career-high five sacks. He started 47 of his 49 total games since 2016.
Pinckney said he will do whatever is necessary to make an NFL roster. He regularly gets advice from close friend Denzel Perryman, a Los Angeles Charger who is about the same size as Pinckney, and also starred for the Hurricanes.
“Denzel said to be ready to do what you gotta do once you get on the team,’’ Pinckney said. “He said to be thankful and ready to work.’’
Pinckney returned to UM for his senior season because he didn’t want to leave after a disappointing 2018 season and wanted to be coached by 2019 inaugural head coach Manny Diaz, his linebackers coach from 2016-18.
“I wouldn’t miss being able to be coached by Manny Diaz as my head coach for the world,’’ Pinckney said.
Turns out the Canes finished 6-7 in 2019, compared to 7-6 in 2018. But Pinckney is at peace and ready to roll.
“I’ve got one more class to go to get my degree in liberal arts,’’ Pinckney said. “I’m tenacious, aggressive and a guy that’s do whatever it takes to win.
“I’m in a position a lot of guys aren’t in. All I can do is put my best foot forward and try to improve myself. With everything going on now, I’m just thankful.’’
