Miami Football: Updating Former Hurricanes at All-Star Events

Six former Miami Hurricanes showcased their skills at the Medal of Honor Bowl, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, while four more are currently at the Senior Bowl.

Most of the players occupied significant roles during the 2014 campaign, and the common reaction to their respective performances is a positive one.

Al Golden and his coaching staff have been blasted for lack of player development, but the All-Star events are showing the problems lie more toward utilization and execution.

But that's another story for another day because the ex-Hurricanes and reactions from scouts are the main focuses.

Medal of Honor Bowl

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Ryan Williams tore his ACL in April, and that unfortunate injury opened the door for freshman Brad Kaaya to snatch the starting job. Williams returned midway through the season but was merely the No. 2 option at that point.

But the 6'6" gunslinger was anything but a reserve at the Medal of Honor Bowl, which took place Jan. 10 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Williams earned MVP honors, completing seven of 15 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown—one that was ultimately the game-winning score.

"It was definitely fun to get back out there on the field and play again," Williams said, per Pete Iacobelli of The Associated Press. "I've been waiting to get out there. I hoped to get a chance at Miami, but I got a chance today."

In an NFL draft stretched remarkably thin at quarterback, perhaps a franchise will hold out to sign Williams as an undrafted free agent. A professional career is certainly not guaranteed, but it's not completely unrealistic either.

Thurston Armbrister also played in the Medal of Honor Bowl, managing one assisted tackle for the game.

East-West Shrine Game

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Anthony Chickillo never lived up to his 5-star billing, but his performance at the East-West Shrine Game supported the notion he was misused at Miami. The defensive end tallied a pair of sacks during the event.

B/R's Dan Hope noted Chickillo's production was a result of more than a different scheme, but that shouldn't take away from the defensive end's outstanding week.

"I think playing in a 4-3 at the Shrine Game gave Chickillo a greater opportunity to showcase his pass-rushing skills than he had in Miami's 3-4," Hope said. "Bluntly, I think part of his success in the game itself was a result of the West's offensive tackles being badly overmatched. Nonetheless, I thought he was the most impressive player in the game, and overall, I thought he had a solid week."

As NFL.com's Mike Huguenin notes, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah considered Chickillo one of the Shrine Game's four most impressive prospects in drills, along with Miami teammate Jonathan Feliciano.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

An important cog on the offensive line, Feliciano racked up 46 starts at a couple of spots up front while with the Hurricanes. His combination of experience and versatility makes him an intriguing prospect as a reserve lineman in the NFL, though he did leave the All-Star event due to injury.

"I think Feliciano is best suited to play guard at the next level," Hope said. "That is where he spent most of the week at the Shrine Game, and it makes the most sense given his measurables (335 lbs, 31.5-inch arms at Shrine Game, according to Optimum Scouting).

"That said, I ultimately think his versatility is his calling card to success; he's probably not going to be an NFL starter, but his ability to play all over the line significantly increases his value as a backup, and as a potential Day 3 pick."

Shane McDermott contributed to the East Team's 19-3 victory as the long snapper.

McDermott was Miami's starting center for the past three seasons, missing just two games due to injury. He's not a highly touted prospect, but again, there's potential for McDermott to be a late Day 3 pick.

Senior Bowl

Phillip Dorsett is fast (4.21 40-yard dash). Fluff that up with any adjective you'd like, but Dorsett is undeniably a burner. For that reason, however, the receiver can raise his proverbial draft stock if he shows something more than elite straight-line speed.

"I think it's important that Dorsett catches the ball consistently this week and shows some ability to run diversified routes," Hope said. "Like you said, we know how dangerous he can be on a go route—he might clock as the fastest player at the NFL Scouting Combine—but is he a one-dimensional player? This week is his chance to prove he's not."

B/R's Luke Easterling said, "So far, Dorsett has been fantastic. The speed is there, but his quickness and sharp routes have been impressive, and he hasn't struggled with catching the ball as much as I had expected. He was easily one of the top performers on Day 2."

But Dorsett isn't the only Miami pass-catcher turning heads. Clive Walford, who Hope said has a strong case to be considered the best senior tight end in the class, has also shined.

"[Walford is] big, physical, created separation with great technique and used his body well," Easterling said. "Caught the ball well at different angles. He and Dorsett stole the show at South practice [on Day 2]."

Walford amassed a career season in 2014, largely due to the rapport he built with Kaaya as the go-to late-down and red-zone target.

B/R's Matt Miller ranks Walford as the second-best tight end and No. 81 player overall, so he's definitely one of the more appealing talents. However, the 6'4", 258-pounder must improve one specific area of his game to rise on draft boards.

"To solidify himself as a top prospect at the position, I think he needs to prove that he can also be an effective in-line blocker," Hope said. "If he can do that, I think he's a third-round pick."

Though Denzel Perryman missed one day of practice, the middle linebacker is a candidate to end the Hurricanes' seven-year first-round drought. The biggest perceived negative is his stature, but Hope noted Perryman's height and weight (5'11", 242 lbs) should be assessed individually.

"Bigger question, in my opinion, is how much does his lack of height really matter? Look at how well Chris Borland (also 5'11") played as a rookie—it's one of those things we overanalyze in the draft process, and it certainly might cause [Perryman's] draft stock to fall, but I don't think it will stop him from being a productive player."

Perryman was named first-team All-ACC twice, a Butkus Award finalist, a third-team All-American and the team's 2014 defensive MVP.

Ladarius Gunter entered the Senior Bowl as the Miami's relative unknown, but the corner has also impressed scouts—most notably B/R's Matt Bowen, a former NFL defensive back.

"Gunter displayed the best technique on the field Wednesday at the cornerback position during the South practice when looking at his footwork, hands and transition speed to break on the throw," Bowen said, adding that he loved the way Gunter finished on the ball.

The 6'1", 200-pound defensive back saw some action at safety, but Hope believes Gunter will most likely stay at cornerback because of his size.

Although Miller currently lists Gunter as the No. 24 corner, don't be surprised if he—or any of the Hurricanes for that matter—rises following a strong performance at the Senior Bowl.

Note: Defensive tackle Olsen Pierre participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and logged two tackles. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Recruiting information via 247Sports.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.