’Canes quiet about draft prospects

CORAL GABLES — After the Hurricanes’ win over Georgia Tech this weekend, interim coach Larry Scott said he was hopeful Miami’s juniors would focus on finishing the regular season before making any decisions about their futures. And it seems like so far, that message is getting through.

Three of Miami’s top juniors — receiver Stacy Coley and cornerbacks Corn Elder and Artie Burns — each said earlier this week that they’ll evaluate whether to return to school or declare for the NFL Draft after the Hurricanes play in their bowl game. And redshirt sophomore Al-Quadin Muhammad, a third-year player who may also consider whether to go pro early, said immediately after Miami’s win he wasn’t interested in discussing his future just yet.

Instead, all four say their biggest concern right now is finishing the season strong and that includes handling a Pitt team that has won six of its last eight games and is coming off a 45-34 win over Louisville.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Burns responded Monday when asked if he’s given any thought to the decision he’ll have to make soon enough. “I’m just trying to focus on Pitt and end the season off real well.”

Though the Hurricanes have not announced their complete schedule for 2016, Appalachian State announced Tuesday it will host Miami on Sept. 17 as the first part of a home-and-home series with the Hurricanes. Appalachian State will visit Miami on Sept. 11, 2021.

Next game: UM at Pittsburgh, noon Friday, ESPN2