UM Canes draft postscript: three chosen, four undrafted free agents, one minicamp invitee
The three-day NFL Draft ended Saturday in Kansas City with a nice final-round Hurricanes lift when Miami cornerback DJ Ivey was picked by the Cincinnati Bengals 246th overall in the seventh round — 13 selections before the last pick known as Mr. Irrelevant.
But the physically imposing Ivy, despite a sometimes bumpy career, was far from irrelevant. The South Dade High alum became the third Hurricane chosen in the draft after fellow cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on Friday was drafted 56th overall in the second round and tight end Will Mallory went to the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in the fifth round with the 162nd pick.
“EARNED!!! CONGRATS!!!’’ Miami coach Mario Cristobal posted on Twitter after the selection. “@divey8_, YOU ARE A BLESSING TO THE HURRICANE FAMILY & NOW THE BENGALS FAMILY!!! GREAT JOB DJ!!! MAKING EVERYONE PROUD!!!”
Though Stevenson, Mallory and Ivey were the only Canes drafted, the latest draft was a lot better than last year, when only one Cane — defensive tackle Jonathan Ford — went to the Green Bay Packers 234th in the seventh round.
In 2021, UM had four Canes drafted, including first-round defensive ends Jaelan Phillips (18th to the Dolphins) and Gregory Rousseau (30th to the Buffalo Bills).
Dolphins get Canes
NFL hopes didn’t end for the Hurricanes after the final pick Saturday. Four Miami Hurricanes as of Sunday had come to terms as undrafted free agents, including two to the Dolphins: interior offensive lineman DJ Scaife, a former Miami Southridge High All-American; and edge rusher Mitchell Agude, who transferred to the Hurricanes in 2022 as a UCLA graduate.
Canes linebacker Caleb Johnson, who also transferred to UM last season from UCLA, was heading to the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
And accomplished, but undrafted punter Lou Hedley, the tattoo-decorated Aussie — a three-time semifinalist and one time finalist for the Ray Guy Award that goes to the nation’s top punter — signed with the New Orleans Saints.
Hurricanes defensive lineman Antonio Moultrie told the Miami Herald he was invited to attend back-to-back minicamps, the first one next weekend at the Green Bay Packers and the next one the following weekend at the Buffalo Bills.
“As long as I have an opportunity, that’s all I asked for,’’ Moultrie said. “I’ll make the best of it.’’
DJ IVEY
Ivey, no matter the circumstances, refused to give up during hard times, staying dedicated to UM and keeping his lifelong dream of making it to the NFL intact.
The long, thick-bodied, 6-feet, 189-pound Ivey was criticized in previous years for occasional busts, but also impressed with some blanketing, hard-hitting defense. He played five seasons for the Hurricanes. He started 32 games after his 2018 freshman season (in which he primarily played special teams in 11 games). Last season, Ivey started all 12 games, finishing tied for sixth in total tackles, with 38. He had two interceptions, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Ivey also led the Canes with three interceptions as a sophomore in 2019.
“They’re going to get a baller on the field, off the field a good guy, a good dude, do everything that he needs to get done. You got something good coming in your hands if you choose me,’’ Ivey said March 27 at UM Pro Day regarding any team that drafts him.
He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash, had a 39-inch vertical jump, broad-jumped 10-feet, 6-inches and did 12 bench-press reps.
“Everyone’s dream is to get drafted in the NFL,’’ Ivey said. “But regardless of that — no draft, get drafted — I’m going to make the best of my opportunity. That’s all I need, an opportunity.’’
Ivey praised the Hurricanes program for developing him on and off the field and teaching him “how to be a grown man’’ and “a gentleman — knowing how to be polite, going to class on time, those little things [that] matter in the real world.”
▪ Canes offensive lineman Justice Oluwaseun, who transferred to UM from UNLV in 2021 and missed the last half of the ‘22 season after sustaining torn ligaments in his right ankle, performed on UM Pro Day but is still rehabbing from the injury.
