Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
‘It’s a blessing’
Prospective professional Hurricanes work out for NFL teams at Pro Day
CORAL GABLES — Javion Cohen put in a hard day’s work at Miami’s Pro Day on Monday.
“I need a fat steak,” Cohen said after finishing his workout.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman was one of nearly a dozen prospective pro Hurricanes to work out for representatives of all 32 NFL teams at UM’s Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility.
“I’ll probably go sit down with my family today at dinner and think about it and just be grateful for the whole process,” Cohen said. “It’s a blessing in itself.”
The players on Monday were encouraged by family, friends, Miami coaches, current UM players and other special guests, including former Hurricanes general manager and alum Alonzo
Highsmith and current Indianapolis Colts tight end Will Mallory.
One of the Hurricanes’ top prospects in this year’s draft is former All-American safety Kamren Kinchens. Kinchens had a 4.65-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine but helped his draft stock by running a 4.56 on Monday, according to the ACC Network broadcast.
“I think I proved whatever I needed to prove,” Kinchens said. “I didn’t run as fast as I wanted to at the combine. So coming here, I felt more relaxed. I felt more myself, so I think I put something better out there, a better number.”
Kinchens met with several NFL teams while at the combine and recounted an interesting session with the Philadelphia Eagles. The interview took place in a room with a basketball hoop, and the team’s representatives asked him to take a few three-point shots.
“Two out of three,” Kinchens said. “Higher percentage than (Stephen) Curry.”
While speaking to reporters, Kinchens got a question from teammate James Williams, who played in Miami’s secondary with Kinchens the past three years. Although Williams did not participate on Monday (he said he was dealing with scar tissue in his groin that has been bothering him), he said going through the process with Kinchens helped them both.
“It’s great seeing him in this position, seeing me in this position, doing everything together,” Williams said. “It’s a dream come true. Every best friend that wants to do that, wants to go a long way, but they’ve got separate routes. Fortunately, me and Kam have the same route.
Williams said he has been working on improving his whole game in the lead-up to the draft. He said he met with all 32 teams at the combine but does not have any top-30 visits set up yet. He said some teams see him as a safety, some teams see him as a linebacker and others see him at both positions.
“(I’m working on) really everything,” Williams said. “I’m just trying to better myself, overall, be a better person before I’m at the next level.”
One standout from the day was wide receiver Tyler Harrell. Although the Miami native had only one catch for 7 yards last season, he ran a blazing 4.28 40-yard dash.
His time was only slightly slower than Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy’s record-breaking 4.21 in the 40 at this year’s NFL combine.
“I feel like I surprised a lot of people,” Harrell said. “Seeing me out here (with my) size, route-running ability. As far as my speed, too, I feel like I just ran a phenomenal run.”