Davis is optimistic about Price’s NFL chances
Ex-FIU running back D’vonte Price has a legit shot at making the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent this fall.
Just ask his former FIU coach, Butch Davis.
“He can run and catch, and he’s also big enough for blitz pickup,” Davis said of Price, listed at 6-2 and 215 pounds and with 4.57 speed in the 40. “He can play special teams, too, which will help.”
The Colts appear to have an opening for a third-string running back, which could be an ideal spot for Price.
If he makes the Colts, Price can learn from starter Jonathan Taylor, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he led the NFL in rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18).
Price could also learn from Taylor’s backup, Nyheim Hines, who averaged 4.9 yards per rush last season. In four years in the NFL, Hines is averaging 676 scrimmage yards and 53 receptions per season.
Marlon Mack, who was the Colts’ third-string running back last season, signed last month with the Houston Texans.
That leaves an opportunity for Price to replace Mack if he can beat out three other undrafted players: CJ Verdell, Max Borghi and Deon Jackson.
Verdell is the fifth-leading rusher in Oregon history, gaining over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. But he was slowed by the pandemic, and he suffered a broken leg last year, limiting him to a total of 691 yards in 20 and 21.
Borghi’s best years were 2019 (817 yards) and 2021 (880 yards).
Jackson, undrafted out of Duke, played with the Colts last year, averaging just 2.4 yards per rush on 13 carries.
In college, Price averaged 6.0 yards per rush; Borghi averaged 5.8; Verdell averaged 5.4; and Jackson averaged 4.3.
Meanwhile, Ex-FIU defensive back Josh Valentine-Turner, who signed with Seattle as an undrafted free agent, will have to beat out quite a few defensive backs to make the Seahawks roster. Besides the veterans, Seattle drafted fourth-round cornerback Coby Bryant, who won the Jim Thorpe award as the nation’s top DB. In addition, Seattle drafted fifth-round cornerback Tariq Woolen in the fifth round.
The Seahawks also added ex-Miami star safety Bubba Bolden as an undrafted free agent.
Seattle signed three other undrafted free-agent DBs: Deontai Williams, Joey Blount and Scott Nelson. The Seahawks are trying to rebuild their secondary around star safeties Jamal Adams
and Quandre Diggs.
Davis, though, said ValentineTurner could make an impact if he stays away from the injuries
that plagued him at FIU.
“He has great football intelligence,” Davis said. “He understands schemes, formations, personnel concepts. He loves watching film.”
THIS AND THAT
With just six regular-season games remaining, FIU’s baseball team (14-30) has clinched another losing record. Other than a 10-5 record in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, this marks four straight losing records for the program.
However, fourth-year center fielder Alec Sanchez has been a bright spot this year with team highs in triples (five), homers (10), RBIs (35), slugging (.564) and OPS (.929). He has played all 44 of FIU’s games, and he leads Conference USA in triples.
FIU’s women’s tennis season ended Saturday with a loss to 35th-ranked Florida State, 4-2, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
FIU, ranked 41st, was led this season by No. 1 singles player Yasmine Kabbaj of Morocco, who was named Conference USA’s Freshman of the Year. FIU’s Kamila Umarova and Andjela Skrobonja were named firstteam All-C-USA in doubles.
Against FSU, the Panthers lost two matches that they pushed to three sets. Had those two results been reversed, the Panthers would’ve advanced.
FIU’s men’s soccer and women’s diving programs have joined the American Athletic Conference as affiliate members.