6 ’Canes invited to NFL Combine Homer only offensive player to make trip
CORAL GABLES — They were some of the Miami Hurricanes top performers and brightest spots amidst a disappointing season that fell short of expectations.
Now, running back Travis Homer, defensive end Joe Jackson, cornerback Michael Jackson, safeties Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine and defensive tackle Gerald Willis III have all earned invitations to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Of that group, two — Homer and Joe Jackson — are underclassmen who opted to bypass their senior years.
And unlike some of their older Miami teammates, neither had the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts and personnel at showcase games like the Senior Bowl or the East-West Shrine Game.
For them, the combine will likely be one of their best opportunities to prove they are ready for the next level. It could also be a chance for Willis — who missed Miami’s season finale in the Pinstripe Bowl and the Senior Bowl in Mobile because of injuries — to prove he has continued getting healthy ahead of the draft.
The six invitations are a slight dip for Miami, which had nine players invited to both the 2017 and 2018 combines. They also reflect the Hurricanes’ strength this past season.
While Miami’s offense struggled to move the ball and score during last year’s 7-6 season, the Hurricanes’ defense was one of the nation’s best.
The Hurricanes finished with the nation’s fourth-best defense, allowing opponents an average of 278.9 yards per game.
With Johnson, Redwine and Michael Jackson in the secondary, Miami had the nation’s best pass defense, with opponents managing just 135.6 yards per game.
Johnson finished with a team-high 92 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. Redwine was fourth on the team with 64 tackles.
He also had three sacks, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Michael Jackson added 42 tackles and six pass break-ups.
Willis and Joe Jackson were among national leaders in a pair of statistical categories. Willis finished 17th in the nation with 18 tackles for loss, while Jackson was 26th in the nation with nine sacks.
In its early evaluations, NFL.com says both of the defensive linemen have the potential to become NFL starters.
Homer, a former standout at Oxbridge Academy, was the lone offensive Hurricane to earn an invitation to this year’s combine. He finished with a team-high 985 yards and four touchdowns on 164 carries.
This year’s combine — which will feature 338 invited players — runs from Feb. 26 through March 4.
According to a tentative schedule posted on NFL.com, Homer is slated to work out on March 1, Joe Jackson and Gerald Willis would work out on March 3 and the defensive backs — Redwine, Johnson and Michael Jackson — are all slated to work out on March 4.
The NFL Draft will be held April 25-27 in Nashville.