A Lucky Day 3: Four Canes selected in NFL Draft

Going into the 2020 NFL Draft, scouts were not very high on Miami’s prospects and it was evident as none were selected in the first three rounds. However, a handful were expected to hear their names called by commissioner Roger Goodell on the final day to continue the legacy of The U. As the draft concluded on Saturday afternoon, a total of four Hurricanes were selected, good for 2nd in the ACC to Clemson’s seven. 

The first Cane to come off the board was linebacker Shaq Quarterman. Quarterman is having a homecoming of sorts as the former four-year starter is returning to Duval County to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Shaq is an alum of Oakleaf High School in nearby Orange Park. A lot of scouts around the league looked at the two-time 1st-team All-ACC selection as very instinctive with great leadership skills. 

“I’ve been throwing my 4s up since I got to college”

Shaq Quarterman coming home to the 904 pic.twitter.com/uz5QUNG89n

— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyTV) April 25, 2020

Four picks later, RB Deejay Dallas heard his name called in the 4th round as he went 144th overall to the Seahawks. Dallas will be reuniting with a familiar face in Seattle as he will once again be teammates with Travis Homer, who was drafted in the 6th round last year. Dallas did a little bit of everything with Miami out of the backfield and a big reason why Seattle chose him was his ability to protect the quarterback, which he indeed loves doing. Now he’ll get a chance to help out with protecting one of the best in the league in Russell Wilson. 

With the 144th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select…

DeeJay Dallas, RB, Miami pic.twitter.com/VdgdAb7kBN

— PFF (@PFF) April 25, 2020

Looks like KJ Osborn’s decision to transfer to UM for his senior season paid off. Miami’s leading receiver in 2019 was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings in the 5th round, 176th overall. Osborn surprised scouts at the combine when he ran a 4.48 40-yard dash with 18 repetitions on the bench press. 

Picked up a playmaker in @KJ_Osborn.#VikingsDraft pic.twitter.com/oQwIz0ZYgp

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 25, 2020

Most analysts pegged DL Jonathan Garvin as the first Cane to be selected but a little more patience was needed to hear his name. He finally got the call in the 7th round from the Green Bay Packers as the 242nd overall pick. 

Jonathan Garvin was @dpbrugler’s 16th best edge rusher. Projected 4th-5th round. 26 TFLs the last two years

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) April 25, 2020

All 32 teams snubbed Trajan Bandy in the draft but he later got some good news as the Steelers made the 5’8” cornerback one of their UDFA signees soon after. Striker/safety Romeo Finley also went undrafted but has found a home with the Los Angeles Chargers and on early Sunday afternoon, both WR Jeff Thomas and DE Trevon Hill opted to sign with the New England Patriots.

As of right now, LB Mike Pinckney is the only Cane left yet to sign with a team. Pinckney has indicated to teams that he would like his hip and labrum to heal following surgery from last month before he decides to sign with a team.