On Monday, lots of of reporters, scouts, and gamers packed into the Carol Soffer Indoor Apply Facility, with eyes on 20 Miami Hurricane athletes with hopes of enjoying soccer on the highest degree.
This was completely different from regular professional days in Coral Gables, because the soccer world tuned in to look at Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who’s at present the odds-on favourite of being the highest choose within the 2025 draft in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. The Tennessee Titans, holders of the primary total choose, watched the senior sign caller intensely, as that they had their eyes set on drafting the West Columbia, Texas native.
At round 5 p.m. with the NFL and ACC networks watching, Ward threw for scouts to look at. Throughout his professional day, the soccer world was in shock watching the Miami quarterback throw, one thing that Hurricane followers have conditioned themselves to see over the course of his 4,313 yard, 39-touchdown season.
One throw set social media ablaze. Ward rolled to his left, backpedaled in the direction of the sidelined and threw a simple 60 yard heave to senior receiver Xavier Restrepo. Whereas it was simply one other day on the workplace for Ward, he believes he has solidified the highest draft spot in 2025.
“I’m solidifying it. I’m your man,” Ward informed reporters what he stated to the Titans brass as they watched him from afar.
Different Hurricane gamers voiced their assist for Cam, believing Ward is deserving of the primary total choose.
“I believe you’d be loopy to not choose [Ward],” senior receiver Jacolby George stated.
Ward is projected to be the primary Miami Hurricane to be drafted within the first spherical since Jaelan Phillips in 2021 and the primary Hurricane to be drafted first total since Russell Maryland was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1991. The one different quarterback from Miami to be drafted first total was Vinny Testaverde in 1987.
Aside from Ward, different Hurricane athletes regarded to enhance their draft inventory. Miami kicker Andy Borregales started the UM professional day by lacing a 65-yard area objective proper down the center, wowing the scouts and gamers in Coral Gables.
Borregales informed reporters on Monday that a number of groups have talked to him, together with the hometown Miami Dolphins.
Borregales completed his profession going 183-184 from 20 yards out. He’s Miami’s all-time chief in factors with 405 and the second most area targets made in Hurricane historical past with 74, trailing Michael Badgely, who had 77.
One other must-watch participant in Coral Gables on Monday was Restrepo. The Fort Lauderdale native completed his UM profession because the all-time chief in catches and receiving yards, with 200 and 2844, respectively.
Throughout his professional day, Restrepo ran slower than traditional, clocking in at an unofficial 4.76 and 4.83. The senior receiver attributed his 40-yard sprint time to hamstring tightness.
“Throughout heat ups yesterday earlier than the 40, my proper hamstring tightened up on me and prohibited me to opening up and working my quickest,” Restrepo stated on X (previously Twitter) on Tuesday. “The rationale I nonetheless ran is as a result of for two straight weeks I persistently hit 4.53-4.58 laser in coaching and thought I might nonetheless pull it off. I did the whole lot simply because it’s in my blood to compete.”
Restrepo continues to be in good standing amongst faculty huge receivers getting into the NFL draft. In response to CBS Sports activities, Restrepo is ranked 14th amongst huge receivers.
20 Miami Hurricanes could have an opportunity for his or her names to be referred to as in Inexperienced Bay this 12 months, with the perfect class in years. The NFL draft will happen April 24-26. The primary spherical will start at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. Rounds 2-3 will occur on Friday, April 25 and the remaining 4 rounds will begin on Saturday, April 26.