Evaluators weigh in on Miami Hurricanes’ prospects as teams convene for UM Pro Day
Miami Hurricanes notes on a day that NFL teams descended on Coral Gables for Pro Day:
▪ In some ways, this seemed more like a coronation than an audition for Cam Ward, who is very likely to be the first overall pick.
The Tennessee Titans, in position to draft and keep Ward with the first pick if they choose, had at least seven reps on UM’s campus on Monday: president of football operations Chad Brinker, coach Brian Callahan, GM Mike Borgonzi, assistant GM Dave Zieler, vice president Reggie McKenzie and two offensive coaches.
Notably, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said “when you talk to people around the league, the sense is that Cleveland would like Cam Ward… I think Cam Ward’s going to be the No. 1 pick. Unless Cleveland trades up to one, I don’t think it’s going to get Cam Ward.”
The Browns, who select second, had assistant GM Glenn Cook, the former Canes linebacker on hand at UM’s Pro Day.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said after meeting with Ward at the NFL Combine that he was “very impressed” by the former Miami quarterback.
The Giants, who have the third pick, had at least six in attendance at UM’s Pro Day, including general manager Joe Schoen but not coach Brian Daboll.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said Monday that from a grade standpoint, Ward is similar - but just behind - former top overall pick Baker Mayfield, and not rated as highly as Caleb Williams was when the Bears drafted him out of Southern Cal last April.
“You talk about ceiling, someone who’s gotten better each and every year,” Jeremiah said of Ward. “He has tremendous velocity to power the football. He can kind of disconnect his body to connect from different arm angles.
“The out of structure stuff is what makes him special. The ability to create things when nothing is there, not only to escape but to create big plays down the field. He makes every throw on tape. Keep an eye on one aspect of his game I love - how quick his hands are.”
Ward’s personal quarterback coach, Darrell Colbert Jr., said on ACC Network that Ward wanted to throw at the Combine but decided to wait until pro day to generate more attention for teammates Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, Elijah Arroyo and Sam Brown.
▪ Per NFL Network, Restrepo ran a 4.83 and 4.84 in the 40, which isn’t great but shouldn’t badly hurt him either.
“He doesn’t necessarily have the time you like, but he’s super productive, high IQ,” NFL Net’s Bucky Brooks said Monday.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter projects him to go 62nd, late in the second round, to Buffalo.
▪ The question is whether Restrepo or Arroyo is the second Cane drafted after Ward. NFL.com’s Reuter projects Restrepo to go well before Arroyo and slots Arroyo 78th.
But ESPN’s Jordan Reid disagrees, tabbing Arroyo as the second Canes player to be drafted, at 51 overall.
“Arroyo has plenty of potential at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds,” Reid said. “His breakout 2024 campaign showed how he can put linebackers in a bind by beating them in man coverage, while also scoping out holes in zone coverage.”
ACC Network’s Eddie Royal compared Arroyo to veteran tight end Evan Engram, a two-time Pro Bowler with 25 touchdown catches in eight seasons.
Jeremiah said Monday that Arroyo “runs away from everybody on tape” and he’s in the mix to be the third tight end drafted.
“This dude runs like a wide receiver but has the size you want at the position,” Brooks said.
▪ Whoever drafts UM running back Damien Martinez is going to get a potential day one starter, ACC Network analyst EJ Manuel insisted Monday.
“My question is where he’s going to come off the board in a draft so loaded at the running position,” Jeremiah said. “You might get value with Damien Martinez in the fourth, fifth round.
“Big back, weighed 217 pounds at the Combine. He played heavier than that in the fall. North and south. He is a no nonsense physical back. Not a ton of wiggle. He is going to get the yards that are there and fall forward on every single run. He ran a 4.51 in Indy. That’s surprising. Didn’t know he had that much juice. He runs hard.”
▪ Reuter projects offensive tackle Jalen Rivers for the fourth round, 119th overall.
“I like him better inside” at guard, Jeremiah said Monday. “I talked to teams who think he can be a developmental left tackle. He has the size at 6-6, 319 pounds with almost 35 inch arms. I like him more inside. He’s a lot of man to get through if you try to get through him with power.”
He started 21 games at tackle and 10 at guard.
▪ Short stuff: The Shrine Bowl director of football operations Eric Galko said Andres Borregales, who hit a 65-yard field goal on Monday, should be the first kicker taken…The Saints’ Mickey Loomis was among other GMs in attendance, besides the GMs of the Titans and Browns. Every team was represented at UM’s Pro Day...
Defensive lineman Simeon Barrow’s 32 reps on the bench press were outstanding; he helped himself on Monday. Pro Football Network projects him for the fifth round… George ran a 4.46 in the 40 on Monday and could go on the third day of the draft, though PFN predicts he will go undrafted...
PFN projects Tyler Baron - who tested well at the Combine - to go early in the fourth round. He played well to start the season and end the season but poorly for a long stretch in the middle.
This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM.
