Herndon, Walton, McIntosh head group of 5
CORAL GABLES Ahead of the draft, Chris Herndon and Mark Walton each went through intense rehabilitative work to recover from season-ending injuries and show NFL personnel they were ready for the physical challenges that come with playing professional football.
And on Saturday, in the fourth round, two NFL teams opted to give the two Hurricanes opportunities to prove themselves at the next level, with the New York Jets taking Herndon with the 107th pick and five picks later, the Cincinnati Bengals adding Walton to their roster.
Herndon and Walton were just two of the former Hurricane players that heard their names called on the final day of the draft with defensive tackle RJ McIntosh — a former Cardinal Gibbons standout — going in the fifth round to the New York Giants, receiver Braxton Berrios going in the sixth round to the New England Patriots and defensive tackle Kendrick Norton going in the seventh round to the Carolina Panthers.
In all, the Hurricanes had players six players drafted this weekend, with defensive end Chad Thomas taken late Friday night in the third round by the Cleveland Browns.
“It’s a great feeling,” McIntosh said of watching his teammates, including Norton, getting drafted. “This is a blessing for all of us. It’s an honor to play in the NFL and a lot of people have the same dream. Just to have the opportunity to do it, I feel blessed and ready to take this next step and I’m ready to get to work. … To be honest, I feel like I’ve got something to prove. I’m ready to get better, stay humble, and stay hungry.”
McIntosh likely isn’t the only former Hurricane player that will start their NFL journey looking to prove themselves.
Herndon, who injured his knee in Miami’s regularseason finale at Pittsburgh, wasn’t able to fully participate in the Senior Bowl or the combine. Walton, meanwhile, played in just four games last year before injuring his ankle so badly he needed surgery to repair the damage.
Both worked hard to make sure they were ready to take this next step and on Saturday, Walton — who said he’d had little contact with the Bengals before they called and informed him they were drafting him — said he was grateful for the opportunity Cincinnati was giving him.
“I just had faith in myself through the whole process,” said Walton, who had 428 rushing yards and finished as Miami’s third-leading rusher despite playing in just four games. “I trusted in God and prayed and that’s all it boiled down to. A lot of people told me I wouldn’t be in this situation, that this was a bad move and I should stay [in school], but in my heart, I knew it was time for me to go and move on to the next level. I didn’t care what round. I just wanted an opportunity because I know what I’m going to do with that opportunity. … It’s a dream come true.”
Later in the day, two of the Hurricanes biggest playmakers — Berrios and Norton — got their calls.
Both had to wait longer than they’d hoped, but once drafted, both took to social media to share gratitude at the opportunities they’d received.
Berrios, who early Saturday wrote on Twitter “It’s okay, I’m used to this,” as he waited to hear his name called later posted, “I’M A PATRIOT BABY !!!!! ” and Norton posted “Thank you God! Miami! And the Carolina Panthers!”
Berrios’ selection by New England — where slot receivers have a history of excelling — came as little surprise to many who have watched the 5-foot-9 receiver at Miami, where he had a team-high 55 catches for 679 yards and nine touchdowns.
And in Carolina, meanwhile, Norton — who had 26 tackles last season and two sacks — will join several other former Hurricanes including cornerbacks Corn Elder and Ladarius Gunter and tight end Greg Olsen.
ccabrera@sun-sentinel.com, Twitter @ChristyChirinos