Miami Football: Tracking 2015 NFL Combine Results for Former Hurricanes Stars
Eight former Miami Hurricanes are headed to the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine hoping to increase their respective draft stock over the next week.
Duke Johnson, Denzel Perryman, Ereck Flowers, Clive Walford, Phillip Dorsett, Ladarius Gunter, Anthony Chickillo and Jonathan Feliciano will represent "The U" on Feb. 18-23 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Though the combine represents just a small piece of the whole scouting puzzle, players have an excellent opportunity to showcase their athleticism through various drills. While speed, quickness and power are the main focuses, participants will also compete in position-specific workouts.
The tracker is organized alphabetically and will be updated throughout the week. Each athlete is accompanied by the latest draft projections from B/R's Matt Miller.
Anthony Chickillo
1 of 8
A 6'4", 282-pound defensive end, Chickillo started 47 games for the Hurricanes. He didn't rack up gaudy numbers while at Miami, but a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Game propelled him into late-round conversation.
Chickillo is an intriguing talent who best fits a 4-3 defensive scheme and can develop into a key reserve if utilized properly. There's not much he can show at the combine to stand out, but he must avoid testing at the bottom of his position.
40-Yard Dash: 4.79 seconds
Bench Press: 27 reps
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.25 seconds
Three-Cone Drill: 7.17 seconds
Vertical Jump: 34.5"
Broad Jump: 114"
Miller Projection: Undrafted
Phillip Dorsett
2 of 8
The speedster overcame a knee injury that shortened his 2013 season and re-established himself as the Hurricanes' top downfield threat. Last year, Dorsett tallied 36 receptions for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He's a leading candidate to run the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine. Though Dorsett will likely find an NFL home on Day 2 of the draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper currently has the burner at the end of Round 1.
40-Yard Dash: 4.33 seconds
Bench Press: 13 reps
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.11 seconds
Three-Cone Drill: 6.70 seconds
Vertical Jump: 37"
Broad Jump: 122"
Miller Projection: Round 2; 63rd overall to the Seattle Seahawks
Jonathan Feliciano
3 of 8
When Miami needed to shuffle its offensive line to compensate for injuries, the 'Canes turned to Feliciano. He started at both left guard and right tackle throughout his 48 appearances.
The 6'5" lineman isn't a lock to be drafted, so he needs to stand out at the combine—particular in the athleticism-focused events—in order to gain traction as a late-round pick.
40-Yard Dash: 5.33 seconds
Bench Press: DNP
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.74 seconds
Three-Cone Drill: DNP
Vertical Jump: 26.5"
Broad Jump: 97"
Miller Projection: Undrafted
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Ereck Flowers
4 of 8
Although Flowers would've benefited from another collegiate season, it wasn't a surprise when the 6'6" lineman announced he'd forgo his senior season. After all, he is a first-round talent with legitimate potential to start early.
Per Adam Beasley of The Miami Herald, NFL Network's Mike Mayock said of Flowers, "I really like the kid. He plays at a high level. Worst-case scenario, he's a right tackle, and perhaps a left tackle down the road."
40-Yard Dash: 5.31 seconds
Bench Press: 37 reps (Most by OL)
20-Yard Shuttle: DNP
Three-Cone Drill: DNP
Vertical Jump: DNP
Broad Jump: DNP
Miller Projection: Round 1; 28th overall to the Denver Broncos
Ladarius Gunter
5 of 8
Size cannot be taught, and that's a major plus for Gunter. He officially measured 6'1" at the Senior Bowl, per Bryan Fischer of NFL.com.
B/R's Luke Easterling called Gunter one of the top defensive backs in Mobile, and an above-average combine session will reinforce his post-Miami rise up draft boards.
40-Yard Dash: 4.69 seconds
Bench Press: 12 reps
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.41 seconds
Three-Cone Drill: 7.18 seconds
Vertical Jump: 33.5"
Broad Jump: 108"
Miller Projection: Round 4; 121st overall to the Carolina Panthers
Duke Johnson
6 of 8
Johnson has the unenviable task of standing out in a tremendously deep running back class that coincides with NFL teams shying away from drafting the position early, a movement that seems to be gaining league-wide popularity.
Of the eight former 'Canes, the combine is most important to Miami's career rushing leader. His biggest assets are speed and the ability to catch passes, so the 40-yard dash and position drills are paramount for Duke.
If he runs anything slower than a 4.55 or is consistently unreliable in workouts, eyebrows will be raised—and not in a good way. That probably won't happen, but Duke still has more to lose than to gain this week.
40-Yard Dash: 4.54 seconds
Bench Press: DNP
20-Yard Shuttle: DNP
Three-Cone Drill: DNP
Vertical Jump: 33.5"
Broad Jump: 121"
Miller Projection: Round 2; 61st overall to the Indianapolis Colts
Denzel Perryman
7 of 8
The 5'10", 242-pound Perryman didn't produce like an undersized player, amassing 380 total tackles—which is tied for the 80th-most in NCAA history, no small feat.
While his tape undeniably shows some ugly plays, the physical middle linebacker is a sure tackler when in the proper position. His coverage skills are also an issue, but a franchise will likely take a Day 2 shot at Perryman.
40-Yard Dash: 4.78 seconds
Bench Press: 27 reps
20-Yard Shuttle: DNP
Three-Cone Drill: DNP
Vertical Jump: 32"
Broad Jump: 113"
Miller Projection: Round 2; 39th overall to the Chicago Bears
Clive Walford
8 of 8
Following a season of sketchy utilization and a quarterback not keen on throwing over the middle, Walford emerged as one of the nation's top tight ends in 2014. He hauled in 44 passes for 676 yards and seven touchdowns, all career-high marks.
Walford is largely considered a top-three player at his position, and a decent overall combine shouldn't hurt him in the least.
40-Yard Dash: 4.79 seconds
Bench Press: 20 reps
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.57 seconds
Three-Cone Drill: DNP
Vertical Jump: 30.5"
Broad Jump: 120"
Miller Projection: Round 3; 81st overall to the Buffalo Bills
Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
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