2020 NFL Draft: Miami Hurricanes prospects to watch in Week 1
By Dan Matney
The Miami Hurricanes will have several talented NFL draft prospects making weekly contributions this season, and it all gets started in Week 1 against the Florida Gators.
The (unofficial) first weekend of the college football season is upon us and with it comes the start of the NFL Draft season. We have a long year ahead and, despite players having plenty of time to display their skills, early games can provide useful measuring points for where players currently stand.
Miami possesses several intriguing prospects and faces a tough test against the Florida Gators to kickoff their season. The Gators are one of the better overall teams on Miami’s schedule, and this will be a game evaluators circle back to later in the draft cycle.
Most of the attention paid to the team this offseason has been regarding the position battle under center.
The Hurricanes have struggled to get much out of the position, ranking 93rd in passing offense last season. Redshirt freshman Jarren Williams was named the starter for the opener over Ohio State transfer Tate Martell, much to the ire of Martell, but the offense has enough talent to take a leap regardless of the starting signal-caller.
Running back remains a potential strength despite the loss of Travis Homer to the NFL, and the Hurricanes landed perhaps the most talented graduate transfer in the nation in wide receiver KJ Osborn.
There has been shuffling along the offensive line, but they return a relatively experienced unit that adds Butler graduate transfer Tommy Kennedy to solidify the blindside.
The defensive side of the ball will be what likely carries this team not just through the Florida game, but through the 2019 season.
They have one of the most underrated pass rushers in the nation in Jonathan Garvin, as well as two talented, experienced linebackers in Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney.
They replace two starters in the secondary, but the return of junior corner Trajan Bandy and addition of USC transfer Bubba Bolden should bolster a relatively young unit.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top prospects that you’ll be seeing on Saturday.