Canes shine at the NFL Combine

Marcus Forston, Jacory Harris, Sean Spence

It's been 4 years now since the University of Miami had the #1 ranked recruiting class in all of college football. This according to ESPN, Rivals and anybody who's job it is to know such a thing. The only problem is noboy really knows how good an incoming class is for at least 2 to 3 years. Sadly for me and all Canes fans out there the 2008 class, which was led by Jacory Harris, Sean Spence and a lot of those highly recruited Northwestern Bulls, didn't come close to living up to the expectations of a #1 class.

But with that being said they will get another chance. At the highest level in all of football. The NFL. Invited to this years NFL Scouting Combine, Harris and Spence were joined by 6 more Canes. Only one other team had more players invited and that was this years champ, the University of Alabama. The other players invited were Lamar Miller, Travis Benjamin, Tommy Streeter, Marcus Forston, Olivier Vernon and Brandon Washington. Other's that did not get the invite but will have a chance to get drafted are Micanor Regis, LaRon Byrd, Chase Ford, Adewale Ojomo and Marcus Robinson.

There is a realistic chance 8 of those players will be drafted. The most UM players drafted in one year was 11 in 2002. Those players were probably part of the greatest football team EVER put together in college football. Even though these guys didn't amass the success on the field that the 2001 team did, they do play for the U. I don't need to tell you which college runs the NFL right? Just check out my boys at procanes.com or let me know who fills up your fantasy teams on a yearly basis.

Remember a few dates to come:

UM will hold its Pro Day on March 8 and the NFL draft will be held April 26-28

Lets see how the Canes that did get invited to the combine do. They'll be in order from who graded out best to worst according to NFL.com

Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller might have just earned himself a first round selection with his performance this week. He ran a 4.40 40 yard dash to lead ALL running backs. He's been said to be the second best back in the draft behind Alabama's Trent Richardson.

Growing up a Cane fan I remember the U being referred to as "Quarterback U". Thats changed in the last 15 years. With backs like Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee and Frank Gore, it's basically become "Running Back U".

With track speed and plenty of potential, Miller has a chance to add his name among those great Cane backs. He's also a stand out in the return game, which will only help his stock rise.

Combine grade: 87

Olivier Vernon

Olivier Vernon had a dissapointing senior season in which he only started 3 games after coming back from a 6 game suspension. That stemmed from his involment with booster Ned Shapiro. Luckily for Vernon his athleticism is better than his judgement.

He was a DE in college but will most likely be utilized at OLB in a 3-4 scheme. Vernon is a strong and powerful athlete and very competitive. I expect to see him go in second or third rounds to team looking for depth and maybe play some on special teams.

Combine grade: 82

Sean Spence

Sean Spence was hyped up to be potentially one of the great middle linebackers to come out of the U. He never did quite live up to being a Ray Lewis by no stretch of the imagination. He was though the most consistent on a very inconsistent Miami defense.

A four year starter for the Canes, he's smart and experienced.  He will have that lunchpail attitude teams will love. Size is the only concern for NFL teams. At 5'11" he's small for the position, but then again so was Zach Thomas. Expect Spence to be taken somewhere in the mid rounds.

Combine grade: 80.2

Travis Benjamin

Travis Bengamin is fast. How fast you say? He ran a 4.36 40 yard dash, fast enough to be tied with 2 others for the fastest time for a WR at the combine. He has big play ability on the outside and is a ligitimate treat in the return game.

Like Spence, Benjamin's issue is that he's to small to play on the outside in the NFL. He will most likely play the slot position like a Wes Welker or Devon Bess. He is a good route runner and knows how to get open at the top of those routes. He will need to bulk up some so that he will be able to get off the line once he is jammed up by the bigger corners and safeties in the league.

Look for him to go in the third or fourth rounds, especially by a team in need of a punt returner.

Combine grade: 73

Tommy Streeter

Tommy Streeter or "Touchdown Tommy" as most Canes came to know him this year, has a world of potential. At 6'5" and built like a Plaxico Buress, Streeter ran a 4.40 40 yard dash to add speed to that frame of his.

He lacks the experience and his route running leaves much to question. He looks to be a third round pick but could sneak into the second round. Size like that does not grow on trees.

Combine grade: 71

Brandon Washington

Brandon Washington is a big boy with a lot of potential. A very consistent player for the U, he started every game over the last 2 years. His run blocking, especially down field is his biggest strength. pass blocking on the other hand is where he needs to get better.

Teams that are willing to take a chance on this tackle, will probably do so in the fourth or fifth rounds. If he is given the chance to devolp slowly, he could be a strating right tackle at some point.

Combine grade: 66

Marcus Forston

Marcus Forston, one of the 2008 Northwestern boys, was plagued by injuries during his tenure with the Canes. Forston is a DT that excells against the run. If he can gain some more weight, he will likely play nose tackle in the NFL for a team with a 3-4 scheme. Quick for his size he can really go after the ball and is good against slants and stunts, plus getting into the backfield to disrupt plays.

But because of the injury concerns, teams will be hesistant to take a chance on him. Forston is most likely a late round draft pick or and undrafted free agent. If he can stay healthy, he will have a job in the NFL thats for sure.

Combine grade: 64.5

Jacory Harris

Jacory Harris. Where do I begin. I was so dissapointed with how the way his career went at the U. I put my neck on the line and said he would win the Canes a title. Boy was I wrong. Harris started for the Canes his last 3 years, not to mention 2 starts as a true freshman. He has the experience you need and he can manage a game.

The knocks on him though are the fact that he is paper thin and has a noodle for an arm. He not accurate throwing the deep ball and if he doesn't gain any weight, he won't be able to survive in the NFL, not even as a back up.

There is a chance a team will take him late in the draft with hopes of improving his skills and making him a solid back up in the league.

Combine grade: 51