Congrats to our NFL-bound Hurricanes!

This past weekend saw nine former Hurricanes drafted by an array of NFL franchises.

CB Kelly Jennings was the lone first round draft pick this year - extending Miami's streak to 12 straight seasons with a first rounder. Congrats to KJ for his hard work and effort paying off.

Consistent since his redshirt freshman year in 2002 right up through his senior year campaign in 2005, Jennings sometimes flew under the radar as far as Canes fans were concerned. Still, his efforts were noticed by coaches and scouts at the next level - prompting the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks to select him #31 overall last Saturday.

Many were surprised to see former Miami linebacker Rocky McIntosh going a few pics later - early second round - to the Washington Redskins.

The Skins not only snagged McIntosh early, but even traded up to make sure they secured him.

Recently earning the moniker Washington Hurricanes based on their roster of former Miami greats Clinton Portis, Sean Taylor and Santana Moss - picking up McIntosh in the second round (as well as free agent Buck Ortega) shows what this franchise's front office thinks about kids from The U.

Regarding the trade, head coach Joe Gibbs said: "As we went through the Draft, we had a game plan laid out. We made up our mind that if it got down to the end of the first round, we would like to try and move. We didn't feel like we were going to get [McIntosh] at 53. We worked real hard on the phone."

Sinorice Moss was the next Miamian off the board, going in the second round to the New York Giants.

GM Ernie Accorsi said the following about why he moved up the board to nab the younger Moss:

“If he is as good as his brother, he will be great,” Accorsi said. “I love his brother. He is similar, but he has to go do it. His brother was on a (college) team that had a little better passing attack. He didn’t get that chance as much. But he is an explosive, high-speed, tough receiver.

He is just not real big. Normally you like big receivers but you don’t want to sacrifice speed and game-breaking ability.”

Accorsi also stated that Moss was the Giants highest rated receiver in this year's Draft.

Devin Hester was definitely one of the bigger question marks in this year's Draft, but that didn't stop Chicago from taking the former Cane in the latter part of the second round.

Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel stated, "Devin is a great athlete. He can play offense, he can play defense and he can return. He's a great football player. He's very dangerous. He's real fast and he's got pretty good corner skills." Chicago was pleasantly surprised Hester was still available at #57 -- especially after hearing another NFL team hinted at selecting him earlier in the second round.

Miami fans oft felt that Hester was underused while at The U - never settling in on offense or defense, but showing his talent merely on special teams. One has to wonder how much Hester's stock might've improved had he return for one more year at Miami. It seems there's room on both the offensive (WR) and defensive (CB) side of the ball for Hester to help the Canes in 2006 - but that wasn't in the cards.

He should fit in nicely with the Bears - a franchise who is trying to bring more team speed to the table this coming season.

Former Miami LT Eric Winston slipped all the way to early part of the third round before being chosen by the Houston Texans.

Once predicted to be a first round lock, Winston missed the majority of the 2004 season with torn knee ligaments and some have said he didn't regain his form in 2005. If anything, the 'first round lock' prediction was premature. Winston is a man child when it comes to size - but he still has to master his role on the offensive line. A converted former TE, Winston is still working on improving his power and lower body strength. According to former coach Larry Coker, Winston still wasn't 100% in 2005 post-injury:

"Eric had a tremendous career for us, and he still has a tremendous upside," Miami head coach Larry Coker said.

"With the coaching he'll get from the Texans and the maturity coming off the injury, I think he will have a great NFL career. This will be the year he gets back to 100 percent. He was not fully back last year for us. He fought his way through it and did a great job. You'll see him blossom as an NFL player. He has size, speed and great hands."

Rashad Butler went to Carolina late in the third round -- which was a surprise as many "experts" had him pegged as a fifth rounder, while Leon Williams was selected in the fourth round by the Cleveland Browns.

Slipping all the way to the final pick of the fourth round was former defensive lineman Orien Harris, chosen by Pittsburgh. Last year's Super Bowl Champs added the former Cane to their roster with the 133rd overall pick. Also once thought to be a first round lock, Harris slipped to the later rounds for various reasons. Some have questioned his work ethic as well his athleticism, speed, short arms and discipline.

Harris replaced former Miami DT Vince Wilfork after the 2003 season - and much like Wilfork, was drafted by the reigning Super Bowl Champs (Wilfork was New England's first round pick in 2004.) Hopefully being a part of a hard-nosed, winning franchise will be that spark Harris needs to excel.

Miami's final draft pick on Sunday was former CB Marcus Maxey to the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round. Maxey is known for being an exceptional athlete - large in size and with long arms. He'll challenge for the ball in the air and is said to match up well with bigger receivers. Good quickness and initial burst for his size.

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS: As of Monday afternoon Quad Hill, Buck Ortega and Greg Threat have all signed on as free agents with the aforementioned NFL franchises.


Miami Hurricanes taken in the 2006 NFL Draft & Free Agent Signings

> Kelly Jennings - Seattle Seahawks - 1st Round (31)
> Rocky McIntosh - Washington Redskins - 2nd Round (35)
> Sinorice Moss - New York Giants - 2nd Round (44)
> Devin Hester - Chicago Bears - 2nd Round (57)
> Eric Winston - Houston Texans - 3rd Round (66)
> Rashad Butler - Carolina Panthers - 3rd Round (89)
> Leon Williams - Cleveland Browns - 4th Round (110)
> Orien Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers - 4th Round (133)
> Marcus Maxey - Kansas City Chiefs - 5th Round (154)

> Thomas Carroll - New York Giants - Free Agent
> Tanard Davis - Indianapolis Colts - Free Agent
> Quadtrine Hill - Houston Texans - Free Agent
> Tyler McMeans - Chicago Bears - Free Agent
> Javon Nanton - Oakland Raiders - Free Agent (Expected to sign Wednesday)
> Buck Ortega - Washington Redskins - Free Agent
> Tony Tella - New York Giants - Free Agent
> Greg Threat - Atlanta Falcons - Free Agent