Bracing for impact
Willis, Jackson headline group of former UM players hoping to hear names called at draft
For Gerald Willis III, there was a need to prove he was healthy. For Trayone Gray, to show he could move quickly, even with a frame larger than the typical running back. For Michael Jackson, to do whatever was needed — no matter how difficult — and leave no doubt he was ready for the next level.
Over the course of the past four months, some of the Miami Hurricanes top playmakers of a season ago have thrown themselves into the process of preparing for the NFL draft, hoping their efforts will result in one of the league’s 32 teams taking notice.
This weekend, they’ll learn if their efforts have paid dividends.
“Going through all these workouts, eight, nine weeks straight, not missing a day, your body hurts,” said Gray, who was used sparingly as both a fullback and running back during his injurymarred time at Miami, but dazzled when he ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at UM’s pro day.
“There were days I was ready to cry when I was running slow, knowing I could run harder. … I can move at this weight, 233. If they want me at a fullback or running back, I can play both. I can contribute on special teams. I can compete. … I wanted to show teams they can put me at different positions.”
Like Gray, Willis especially felt he had to work to open the eyes of scouts and NFL personnel. Though he was among the nation’s individual leaders last season with 18 tackles for loss, Willis did not play in Miami’s postseason bowl game after hurting his hand. He battled groin and hamstring issues during pre-draft workouts.
And though he was lauded for his leadership and effort on and off the field last season, Willis’ college career wasn’t without its share of drama. He endured multiple suspensions at Miami and was dismissed from Florida as a freshman in 2015.
This week, he and defensive end Joe Jackson are expected to be the first Hurricanes taken off the board, each projected as potential third-round picks, with some analysts saying its possible either could creep into the second round.
“He’s right there with the second-tier of defensive tackles that will go in the second round of the draft, or at worst, the early third round,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said of Willis. “I love his leverage, his technique. He can get into the backfield, he can get down the line, the way he uses his hands. He’s a guy that can be a little bit underrated.”
Willis knows it’s what he’s done in recent months that has helped raise his stock.
“My technique can be a little better. I can get my pads down a little bit during the runs, but, my athletic ability and my talent have taken me this far,” Willis said last month at pro day. “I’m grateful for that.”
For Jackson — who has worked out for teams as both a corner and a safety — preparing for the draft has required not only grueling work inside weight rooms and training facilities, but spending an extended amount of time away from his young son, Michael Jackson Jr., and the rest of his family.
That, Jackson said, proved a tougher challenge than he imagined, but one he hopes will make a difference in his life now moving forward.
“I went out and trained in Dallas, away from my son and away from my girlfriend, just to focus and make that sacrifice,” Jackson said. “You sacrifice for those three, four months and you can take care of your family for generations. … There were days that were bad. I watched my son grow up through little videos. You just have to tell yourself, ‘Stay patient.’ ”
While Jackson went through much of his pre-draft process without the physical support of his family, former Hurricanes safeties Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine, lifelong friends and teammates, relied on each other through workouts.
The two, who grew up in Miami’s Richmond Heights neighborhood and played youth football together for the Richmond Giants before starring together at Killian High and eventually signing with Miami, trained together ahead of UM’s pro day.
Now, they’ve come to the realization their days of playing together are likely over — but, that they had each other’s support on their pre-draft journey is something neither has taken for granted.
“When we were in the weight room, it was like being home again,” Johnson said. “It was awesome.”
Added Redwine, “Most people don’t have the type of story we have — little league, high school, college, same birthday, same pro day, combine, Senior Bowl. It’s like I can’t get away from him.
“Our whole neighborhood is proud of us. They tell their kids to see us as role models. It’s been great not just for us, but for our community and our families. … It’ll be different [to not be on the same team with him].”