Hurricanes’ First-Round NFL Streak About To End

For the past 14 years, the University of Miami has had at least one football player drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. Now, that streak is about to be halted as only Miami cornerback Bruce Johnson is assured of being drafted at all, and he’s regarded as a second-day selection. According to Judy Battista of the New York Times, the last time Miami didn’t have a first-round pick was when running back Donnell Bennett went in the second round of the 1994 draft to the Kansas City Chiefs. Last year, the streak was narrowly kept going when the New York Giants tabbed safety Kenny Phillips with the last pick of the first round. Phillips was congratulated by retired former Miami and NFL defensive lineman Warren Sapp. “I said, ‘Way to keep the streak going,’” Sapp said. “It’s a common bond with someone who is 13 years removed from me. My streak ends. It’s something we took immense pride in.” Theories for the Hurricanes’ sudden drought abound, including the lack of recent success, not recruiting as much locally in previous years and more schools dipping into talent-rich South Florida high schools and the shift from the Big East to the ACC. “It’s no longer the place to be,” recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. “Now, U.S.C. is the place to be.” However, the tide may be shifting. Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome, who drafted middle linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed out of Miami, isn’t worried about the Hurricanes’ ability to produce NFL prospects. “They have some good young guys,” Newsome said. “They’ll be back.”