Eight ’Canes get the call on final draft day

It has been 11 years since the Miami Hurricanes were this active in the NFL draft.

The Hurricanes had nine players selected during the three-day event, including eight on Saturday. That tied the 2006 and 2004 teams for second-most since the draft went to seven rounds in 1994. The 2002 team holds the school record with 11.

Although the Hurricanes were shut out on the second day, they made up for it during rounds four through seven. It began with safety Rayshawn Jenkins being selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round and continued throughout the next seven hours.

Jenkins was followed by cornerback Corn Elder (Carolina Panthers), guard Danny Isidora (Minnesota Vikings), defensive end AlQuadin Muhammad (New Orleans Saints), quarterback Brad Kaaya (Detroit Lions), receiver Stacy Coley (Vikings), safety Adrian Colbert (San Francisco 49ers) and running back Marquez Williams. On Thursday, tight end David Njoku was taken in the first round by the Cleveland Browns.

Last year, the Hurricanes had just two players drafted. While the day was eventful for the UM program, it was nerve-wracking for Kaaya. He began the season touted as a potential first-round pick but slipped to the sixth round. He was taken with the 215th pick.

Kaaya will reunite with former UM coach Al Golden, who is in charge of the Lions’ tight ends. He will also have the opportunity to learn under Lions quarterback Matt Stafford, who played at Georgia for Hurricanes coach Mark Richt.

Shortly after the pick, Kaaya took to Twitter to show his appreciation for Lions coach Jim Caldwell. Kaaya tweeted, “Thankful for Coach Caldwell and the Lions staff, ready to learn from one of the best QBs in the league and get better each day.”

Kaaya said he’s long been a fan of Stafford, the No. 1 pick in 2009 and 2014 Pro Bowler. Backup Dan Orlovsky and Jake Rudock are the other quarterbacks on the roster.

“Matt Stafford is a guy I’ve watch since he was in college,” Kaaya told reporters in Detroit. “I’ve always been a big fan of him. He’s one of those guys that when I was in high school I used to play with him on Madden. He was always one of my favorite guys to watch in the league.”

As Kaaya had to sweat it out on the draft’s final day, Jenkins was chosen with 113th pick in the fourth round. It came as a surprise because he had no contact with the Chargers before the draft.

“They called me and said they had their eye on me,” Jenkins told Chargers.com. “They liked my film. It brought me to tears. I’m just extremely humbled, and I thank God and the Chargers for this opportunity.”

Elder was taken in the fifth round at pick No. 152. Speaking on a conference call with local reporters, Elder said it was a dream come true and feels he will fit in with the Panthers.

“I watched the Panthers a lot,” Elder said. “They’re one of my favorite teams to watch. I love the defensive scheme, I love the way they play and everything.”

When Isidora was chosen in the fifth round with the 180th pick, he became the first Cypress Bay alum to make the NFL. He lands in a good spot, with the Vikings having an opening at right guard in the starting lineup.

“They didn’t tell me where I’m going to be playing yet, but I’m excited to get over there and get started,” Isidora said.