Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland said DE Olivier Vernon is "going to get much, much better." Vernon, a 2012 third-round pick out of Miami, will spend the offseason working out with and learning pass-rush moves from Cameron Wake.




(fantasysp.com)

Richard Marshall, Kheeston Randall and Olivier Vernon along with Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders and T.D. visited an art class at Nova Blanche Forman Elementary in Davie. The Dolphins players joined a group of 5th grade students making bowls out of clay to support the Empty Bowls program. The students were selected to make the bowls with the players because they have been performing well in school.

The bowls will be auctioned off as a part of the Empty Bowls program, which helps to raise money for Souper Bowl of Caring. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a youth-focused, national effort working to see Super Bowl weekend become the largest weekend of giving and serving in the life of our country. Participation includes youth representing a variety of faith groups, schools, civic organizations and businesses in all 50 states and several other countries. 100% of all funds raised from the school auctions will be directly donated to Feeding South Florida.


(miamidolphins.com)

proCane Dolphin Olivier Vernon, 49er Frank Gore & Dolphin Lamar Miller throw up “The U” after their Week 14 matchup in which the 49ers won. proCane 49ers LB Tavares Gooden was not in the picture as he was in the locker room nursing an injury he suffered during the game.

Tyler Horn @Tyler63Horn
I understand the decision and not for one second blame the coaches or the Admin. I just think the process needs to be expedited by the NCAA.

Tyler Horn @Tyler63Horn
The NCAA needs to change. Making 2 classes w/ an overwhelming majority of innocent players miss out on what they earned is just plain wrong

DeMarcus Van Dyke @D_VanDyke8
Let the seniors enjoy what they worked for! We don't know what the NCAA is going to do so don't tell me that BS

DeMarcus Van Dyke @D_VanDyke8
This is like we are punishing them kids for a bad report card their big brother receive

Ottis OJ Anderson @OJAnderson24
Say what?! “@hurricanesports: Miami Hurricanes Make Unprecedented Decision to Forego Bowl Opportunity in 2012http://bit.ly/T6AnYR ”

Alonzo Highsmith @alonzohighsmith
I am done with Miami!!! God bless them and wish them well? Will worry about Packers? Run right from the top!!!

Alonzo Highsmith @alonzohighsmith
Will not commit anymore on the Miami situation anymore? What's done is done? Did Donna give up her pay check?

Sean Goldstein @Sgoldie_daU53
As a UM fan and former player today couldn't be much worse. We self-impose another bowl ban and nd is ranked 1 #yikes

Sean Goldstein @Sgoldie_daU53
I couldn't feel any worse for those guys on the team who have to deal with another bowl ban. Too much work gets put in for this to happen

Jacory Harris @12JHarris12
Wow, those guys worked to hard to get where they are this year!

Kyle Bellamy @KyleBellamy_U
I wonder if the NCAA will care that UM has self imposed bowl ban passed 2 years. They never really liked us in first place

BonecrusherDan Sileo @DanSileoShow
What are the Canes waiting for...Ohio State REGRETS not giving last years bowl up..so does USC...HUGE mistake if we DONT

Brian Monroe @TrainerRoe
Smh! #staystrong #ufamily

Brandon Harris @HarrisNOFLYZONE
"I'm pissed why punish yourself twice the NCAA could care less about self imposed they still bringing the hammer,” he posted.

Olivier Vernon told the sun-sentinel: "Sometimes I guess you feel like the school doesn’t have your back," said Miami Dolphin Olivier Vernon, a member of the 2011 Hurricane team that also sat out a bowl ban. "You work so hard in the season to get to a bowl game, get to ACC championship, and to know that your school gave up a bowl bid kinda hurts a little bit but I’m not there so I ain’t worrying about it right now." Vernon also recalled how the 2011 team responded a week after being told a bowl was out.

"A lot of guys were down," he said. "It’s not a good feeling. But you’ve got to wish the best for things to come next year and the following (years)."

Dolphins rookie defensive end Olivier Vernon, who scored a touchdown off a blocked punt and blocked a field goal in Sunday’s 30-9 victory over the New York Jets, was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week Wednesday.

The award is the first won by a Dolphin this season and marks the first time a rookie has won since 2008, when placekicker Dan Carpenter won for his performance against Buffalo on Dec. 7, 2008. Carpenter kicked three field goals _ from 50, 35 and 27 yards _ that accounted for the margin of victory in that 16-7 win.

Vernon is one of only four non-kickers to win the award. The others were punt returners Nate Jacquet in 1992 and Wes Welker in 2009, and kick returner Ted Ginn Jr. in 2008, who had two returns of 100 and 101 yards for touchdowns in another win over the Jets.

A third-round pick out of the University of Miami, Vernon was in the right place at the right time after Jimmy Wilson blocked a Robert Malone punt, grabbing the ball just as he was headed into the end zone to give Miami a 10-0 lead.

Then, just before the half, Vernon broke through the line to get a hand on Jets’ kicker Nick Folk’s 35-yard attempt that would have cut the Dolphins’ halftime lead to 20-3.

Vernon has two tackles on special teams and a forced fumble this season to go with the blocked field goal. On defense, he ranks third on the team with 2.5 sacks and has also been credited with 10 tackles, three passes defensed, one tackle for loss and three quarterback hits.


(palmbeachpost.com)

MIAMI GARDENS — It’s a circle Dolphin coaches hope will never be broken.

A young player arrives, raw, eager to learn, and a veteran steps forward and becomes his mentor. It happened when Jason Taylor taught Cam Wake how to play outside linebacker three years ago, and it’s happening again now with Wake and rookie defensive end Olivier Vernon.

“I remember Koa (Misi) doing the same thing (Vernon) is doing now a couple years ago,” Wake said. “Coming to me and asking, ‘What are the packages?’ ‘What do I do when they do this?’ I want to pass on my wisdom as much as I can, and help him utilize the assets he has.”

Vernon was about as raw as a rookie can get when he arrived as a third-round pick out of the University of Miami last summer. Leaving UM after his junior year, he took Wake as his role model at the defensive end position and, with his playing time limited early this season, has watched and learned.

“When I’m on the sidelines during a game I just look at him and I’m like, ‘Man, how did you do that?’ ” Vernon said. “He gives me some pointers and I try to apply it.”

Wake said their size similarity — Wake is 6-foot-3, 258 pounds while Vernon is 6-2, 268 — means they face similar challenges in getting to the quarterback.
“We’re that ‘Too big to be a linebacker, too small to be a defensive end’ size,” he said. “You’ve got to have a mentality every time you step on the field and you’re giving up 80 pounds to an offensive lineman. You’ve got to be able to say, ‘I don’t give a blankety-blank how big you are, I’m just as strong, and powerful, and explosive.’ And he has that.”

Vernon impressed General Manager Jeff Ireland in a workout prior to the draft, but was still surprised when the Dolphins, who were switching from a 3-4 defensive scheme to a 4-3, selected him.

“I could have sworn I was going to a 3-4 team, because every team I met with was playing a 3-4 scheme,” he said. “So when I came to the Dolphins and heard (they were playing) a 4-3, I was like, ‘All right, cool, I’ll put my hand back in the dirt.’

“But the coaches have given me a little leeway with a two-point stance. I feel a lot more comfortable in a two-point stance (standing up).”

Vernon’s ability to get to the passer from the early days of offseason workouts impressed not only Wake (“he was chasing Ryan Tannehill all over the field&rdquo but also defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle, who recognized that underneath the unpolished exterior was an athlete with the size, strength and quickness to consistently pressure passers.

“It’s an ongoing process … but just using the natural speed he had, he was able to excel with some of the rushes he would use in college,” Coyle said.
“(Then) he started to realize he has to continue to develop his repertoire of pass rush moves. (Defensive line coach) Kacy Rodgers does as good a job as anybody in the league coaching those defensive linemen. Now you’re seeing a guy who’s going to be an impact guy from here on out.”

Vernon had five tackles in his first five games including a half-sack against the New York Jets, but his coming-out party was the Oct. 14 game against St. Louis, when his four tackles included two sacks of Sam Bradford. Among Dolphin rookies, only A.J. Duhe (1977) and Marco Coleman (1992) have had more in a game.

Vernon said watching Wake haul down Bradford earlier in the game inspired him.

What made that day even more special is that his father, Lascelles, a Miami Beach police officer, and mother, Bernadette, were in attendance, as they have been at all his games since his days at American High School in Miami. He was heavily recruited by Alabama and Florida State, but family ties led to the decision to stay home and play with the Hurricanes. Now he makes his living not 10 minutes from where he grew up.

“I grew up on 199th Street, so when I went to middle school the bus would pass (Sun Life) stadium every day,” he said. “To play there now, it’s crazy.”


(palmbeachpost.com)

On the first day of school at Miami American High in 2005, a lanky freshman named Olivier Vernon walked into coach Morty Bernstein’s office and signed up to play football.

Even though he had never played organized football, Vernon soon found himself on the Patriots’ varsity team. The freshman got pummeled.

“I wanted to play safety because I admired Sean Taylor so much,” Vernon said. “They saw my size and put me on D-line. I was only 175 pounds. There were a lot of big dudes out there.”

No one, at least not then, could have envisioned Vernon playing down the road at Sun Life Stadium as a member of the Miami Dolphins just seven years later.
Last Sunday, the rookie defensive end had his best day as a member of the Dolphins, sacking quarterback Sam Bradford on the Rams’ final offensive play. After the 3-yard loss, St. Louis attempted a desperate 66-yard field goal. The kick drifted left and the Dolphins held on for a 17-14 win.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be playing in the NFL, much less for the Dolphins,” Vernon said. “This is a great opportunity for me and I truly feel blessed.”

Vernon and fellow rookie Lamar Miller, a running back, are both rarities within the Dolphins as both have been able to spend their entire football career — to this point, anyway — without leaving Miami-Dade County (aside from practices in Davie).

The only other player in Dolphins history to play his entire career within the 305 area code is recently retired offensive lineman Vernon Carey (Miami Northwestern).

Defensive back Bobby Harden, a native of Pahokee, played four seasons with the Dolphins after being a 12th-round pick out of Miami in 1991.

Randal Hill came close to being the first as the Miami Killian High grad was taken with the 23rd pick by the Dolphins in 1991. After one game, Hill was traded to Arizona for a first-round pick. Hill returned to Miami in 1995 and played in 26 games over the course of two seasons.

Even though South Florida is rich in football talent and the University of Miami produced 114 NFL draftees from 1992 to 2011, the Dolphins haven’t stayed local very often as Vernon was the first UM player drafted by the Dolphins since Carey in 2004.

Since the Dolphins’ inception in 1966, the franchise has selected 17 players from Miami — nine since Miami won its first national championship in 1983. The Dolphins have signed former UM players — such as Bernie Kosar, Craig Erickson, Cleveland Gary, Leon Searcy and Lamar Thomas — years after other teams drafted them.

Vernon and Miller say they appreciate the opportunity they have to suit up for their hometown squad.

“I can’t believe I’m playing in my hometown. To play high school, college and pro in one town is a true blessing,” said Miller, who played at Killian High before spending three seasons with the Hurricanes. “I used to watch the Dolphins and was a high school Player of the Week a few times, so I got to come to a few games. Having my family here at every home game is real motivation.”

Like Miller, Vernon has plenty of family support in the stands each week.

His father Lascelles — who is a Miami Beach police officer — and mother Bernette never missed a UM game once he joined the Hurricanes in 2009. And although they haven’t traveled yet this season, they are planning to do so. They have, however, been there for his four home games (including the preseason) with the Dolphins.

“The Dolphins believed in me,” Vernon said. “The funny thing was, just before I got picked, my mom hugged me and said ‘I hope you don’t go anywhere.’ I had no control over it. But then it all fell into place. My mom has been at every game I’ve ever played going back to soccer. She’s my No. 1 fan.”

Lascelles Vernon is known for his tailgate spread, something his son gets to partake in once his day is done. On Sunday, however, rainstorms rolled through and the party had to move indoors. Olivier celebrated his big game — he also sacked Bradford in the second — by polishing off a few of his dad’s famous chicken breast sliders.

The pride Lascelles Vernon has in his son is evident. Being able to watch his son play in the NFL not far from his childhood home is special to the entire family.

“I would have liked for him to go somewhere away from home to experience something else, but I’m real happy the Dolphins chose my son,” the elder Vernon said. “I’m happy to have him home. This has been good for him and I’m happy for him. He’s a self-made man. I may be the proudest father in South Florida right now.”


(miamiherald.com)

On third down at the 45, the Dolphins talked about getting pressure on St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford at any cost.

Down by three points, if the Rams picked up a nice chunk of yardage, they would have been in prime real estate for a tying field goal.

“We tried to put as much pressure on him as we could,” Olivier Vernon said. “A batted down pass, some pressure so he would throw over the receiver or into the ground. We had to do something. We knew we couldn’t let them get into field-goal range.”

Vernon took business into his own hands as the rookie out of the University Miami had his professional coming out party in the Dolphins 17-14 win. Vernon came up the middle and took down Bradford for a three-yard loss.

“It was a great feeling,” Vernon said.

The Rams decided to try and give the strong-legged Greg Zuerlein a chance at an NFL record with a 66-yard attempt, one that had the distance but was off wide left.

“I’m so happy. I feel blessed to be able to make a play for the team,” said Vernon, who ended with two sacks, four tackles and three hits on Bradford.”

Vernon almost wasn’t on the field for the Rams’ final offensive play. In the second quarter, Vernon went down after rolling his ankle on a kickoff return after the Dolphins’ first touchdown.

After missing little time, Vernon was back on the field.

“It takes a lot to keep me out of a game,” Vernon said. “I felt like I was good. I just needed a little tape, a little gum and I was good.”

Said Cameron Wake: “He was [like] Paul Pierce, with the drama. That shows the kind of competitor he is. This is a man’s game. It sounds harsh, but nobody cares about your injuries. They want you out there, making plays. ‘What are you going to do for me now?’ I’m glad he’s on my team.”

Vernon, a third round pick from UM, came up with a big sack of Bradford earlier in the game. With St. Louis up 6-0 and driving in the second, Vernon hit Bradford for a loss of eight yards on a third-and-six from the Dolphins’ 26. Vernon came off the line untouched and hit Bradford as he was still backpedaling out of a shotgun formation.

On the next play, Zuerlein missed his first field goal of the season — in what would be a string of three consecutive field goal misses in the game.

The win was sweet for Vernon and the Dolphins, who had struggled in close games earlier this season. The Dolphins lost overtime games to the Jets and Cardinals, but have now held on to take out the Bengals and Rams in successive weeks.

“Everyone is playing as one on both offense and defense. We know we can win,” said Vernon, a graduate of Miami American High.

“Everyone has doubted us throughout the year. Even me, growing up, people have been doubting the Dolphins. This is a good win for us, shows we can win in a dogfight. Those overtime games, we can finish them now. We needed to prove that to ourselves.”

Vernon planned to celebrate the victory the way he usually does after each home game: By joining his dad’s tailgate outside the stadium. “You want to play good in front of your family,” Vernon said, “represent the name. It’s good to have them all here supporting you.”

Vernon enjoyed those postgame tailgates after Hurricanes games as well — he spent three seasons playing for the University of Miami at Sun Life Stadium before deciding to leave early after an abbreviated junior season.

Vernon had 1.5 sacks in six games for Miami last year after being suspended for the first six as part of the Nevin Shapiro investigation.

“He’s one of those guys who works really hard,” teammate Koa Misi said of Vernon’s big game. “He’s a rookie we can depend on. He makes plays. He made big plays [Sunday]. He’s quick and hustles to the ball. He’s good.”


(miamiherald.com)

The Dolphins spent a third-round draft pick on Olivier Vernon this spring because they thought the University of Miami product could give them a young pass rusher to eventually replace the retired Jason Taylor.

That part of it hasn't materialized yet, but the hit Vernon delivered Sunday on Raiders kick returner Coye Francies early in the fourth quarter certainly was memorable. Vernon even got a helmet-butt from Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter after that one. 

"That was a first in my whole football career," Vernon said of that particular gesture from a kicker. "Have to set the tempo, man. We want to show everyone that’s in the league that we’re dogs and we’re trying to finish people."

Vernon only played 18 of 70 defensive snaps in Week 1 at Houston and probably about that many on Sunday, but he isn't about to let himself grow frustrated as he learns behind a Pro Bowl-laden group of starters.

"I always say to myself, just like the fortune cookie says, 'Patience is a virtue,' "Vernon said. "I’m a very patient person. I’m optimistic. I know when my time comes, I’m going to shine, I’m going to do what I can do."

And he'll most likely be doing it at 253 pounds, down about 15-17 pounds from the weight he played at last season for the Hurricanes. Part of that was due to the new Dolphins coaching staff demanding players be leaner and quicker in the 4-3 defense.

But part of it was simply due to Vernon being a Core Four player on special teams.

"I dropped weight because of all the specials teams I’m on," Vernon said with a smile. "I couldn’t help it. That just happened naturally."

He can already feel the difference.

"I still feel good," Vernon said. "I feel strong. I feel quick. I haven’t lost a step. I still have my strength. Just making up for it with speed. Coach [Philbin] wants us playing  fast. Play fast, play hard. You get stamina once you’re lighter. You don’t have all that heavy weight."

The Dolphins are still hoping Vernon, in time, will become a heavyweight pass rusher for them.

Until then, it's all about heeding that fortune-cookie wisdom.


(sun-sentinel.com)

The Miami Dolphins' colors are aqua, orange, white and navy, but the team's defensive line has looked pretty green in recent practices.

Miami touts a solid starting lineup of veteran defensive ends Jared Odrick and Cameron Wake and tackles Randy Starks and Paul Soliai, all Pro Bowl candidates. However, it gets very inexperienced very quickly after the projected starters. Rookie defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby are listed as second-teamers and first-year tackle Kheeston Randall also is listed as a top backup.

Combine that with an injury to second-team defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, then it falls to rookie Chas Alecxih to take his place.

If you have been doing the math, that's a second unit comprised entirely of rookies.

However, first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle was pleased with the play of the reserves in a preseason-opening 20-7 loss to Tampa Bay and expects the team to build on that against Carolina on Friday.

“When our seconds got in the game, the intensity level, the execution level was terrific,” Coyle said. “They had four three-and-outs in the second half. There was only one drive that they were able to muster up anything and they got a field goal off of that one I think.”


(cbssports.com)

DAVIE – Olivier Vernon's fists were filled with the jersey being worn by arguably the NFL's best offensive tackle.

The small shoving among linemen was more of a territorial warning from four-time Pro Bowler Jake Long. One play earlier, Vernon had slipped inside his Miami Dolphins' teammate escaping a block that could have prevented a sack of quarterback David Garrard.

Vernon's speed, technique and strength as a rookie defensive end have caught the attention of many veteran teammates eager to see what the former University of Miami star can become in the NFL.

"I have a lot respect for how he's playing," Long said. "We go hard against each other. I think we're making each other better."

The immediate impact of Vernon (6-2, 261 pounds) one week into training camp is validation he made the right decision to leave the Hurricanes with a year of eligibility remaining.

On Friday while his former college program starting fall practice in Coral Gables, Vernon was heavily involved with the Dolphins' first-team defense. He'll be key in third down situations, a pass rush specialist opposite Cameron Wake in nickel and dime packages.

Vernon's skills are obvious to teammates studying practice film in meeting rooms.

"You see his different moves," Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith said. "He's keeping his pads down, and that's something you don't really see from a guy coming out of college early on."

Keeping the pads down is important to prevent an offensive lineman from targeting the defenders jersey number, an obvious target for forcing guys like Vernon out away from the quarterback and out of the backfield.

Kacy Rogers, who coaches the Dolphins' defensive linemen, is molding Vernon's raw collegiate talent and loading his mind with the necessary software to decipher NFL tackles and guards on a weekly basis.

Right now, Vernon is intent on studying his hand placement so he can get off blocks quickly to make his specialty moves more effective.

"In pass rushing, you always have to win every one-on-one," Vernon said. "That's what Coach Rogers stresses. I try to do it as much as I can."

Artis Hicks, a Dolphins' guard, remembered preparing for the Miami's defense last year as a member of the Cleveland Browns. The emphasis was stepping up their game for the Dolphins' defensive line.

"Now that I'm here and I see what these guys really can do, man I'm glad I'm playing with them," Hicks said. "...(Vernon's) nice, man. This guy can move. And him with Cameron Wake opposite each other, they're gonna put a lot of pressure on the outside pocket. And when that quarterback goes to step up, guess what. You've got (Randy) Starks and big Paul (Soliai) in the middle pushing backwards, so that pocket's gonna collapse on a lot of quarterbacks this year."

Wake sees himself in Vernon when he watches the rookie scrap with Long.

"He's got a lot of energy," Wake said. "He's got the mindset, his temperament is right. Guys like us, who are not the traditional defensive ends in a 4-3 we've got to have that little extra bite. ...He's got a lot of fight in him, and he comes after the ball hard."

Vernon's dust up with Long wasn't the first, and certainly wasn't as note worthy as the one that was more of a small fight in June during a mandatory minicamp.
Based on Vernon's intentions to improve it's bound to happen again in the spirit of competition. One way is through standing up to the toughest guy on the team.

"I've never grown up to be intimidated or have any fear against anybody," Vernon said. "I try to make that known that I'm not scared of  nobody out here even though they're grown men."

So how are things between the two of them?

"We shook hands after (the fight in June) in the locker room," Vernon said. "It was all good. It's all football."


(sun-sentine.com)

Former Hurricanes Lamar Miller and Olivier Vernon have made strong early impressions on Dolphins teammates. “Lamar’s burst is unreal,” cornerback Sean Smith said. “Every day he’s had at least one 15, 20 yard-run. The guy has great vision.”

Vernon has had at least two sacks in training camp, and Cam Wake said there’s no dropoff when he replaces a veteran: “I’m really excited [about him]. He has a lot of spunk.”

Said defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers (father of the UM safety): “Oliver has a long way to go technique-wise, but he plays with the right temperament.”


(miamiherald.com)

DAVIE— Olivier Vernon suffered an apparent ankle injury Monday during an 11-on-11 drill at Miami Dolphins training camp. 

Vernon was trying to strip the football from former Miami Hurricanes teammate Lamar Miller during the play. 

Once the play stopped, Vernon stayed on the ground noticeably in pain. 

Vernon, who is competing to start at defensive end, was a fourth-round draft pick in April by the Dolphins.

Vernon was able to return to the field later in practice after 20 minutes on the sidelines.


(sun-sentinel.com)

The Dolphins agreed to terms on a four-year contract with rookie defensive end Olivier Vernon, a league source confirmed Wednesday afternoon after it was first reported by Yahoo Sports.

Vernon, a third-round pick (72nd overall) out of University of Miami, signed a four-year contract worth $2,848,080 with a $638,080 signing bonus. He will likely play this year as the Dolphins’ pass-rushing specialist on obvious passing downs.

Vernon’s signing means the Dolphins are down to two unsigned draft picks out of nine total — first-round quarterback Ryan Tannehill and third-round tight end Michael Egnew. According to several reports, the Dolphins and Tannehill are squabbling over “offset language” that would not fully guarantee Tannehill’s four-year contract (the Vikings, Chiefs and Jaguars are also digging in over offset language with their first-round picks).

It is unclear what is holding up Egnew’s negotiation, but both he and Tannehill still have two days to hash out their contracts before the Dolphins hold their first practice of the season Friday at 8 a.m. Neither Tannehill or Egnew are expected to stage any sort of extended holdout over their contracts, and odds are that both will be at practice on Friday. Tannehill joined a group of Dolphins at workout Wednesday morning that included Matt Moore, Chad Johnson, Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and others.


(palmbeachpost.com)

Players believe rookie Olivier Vernon will make an immediate impact as a situational pass rusher. “He plays with a low center of gravity and with good angles, just like Cam Wake,” Odrick said.



(miamiherald.com)

DAVIE— The haze surrounding his jump to the NFL lifted one day while chewing on some lunch.

Olivier Vernon was sitting with Lamar Miller, the former Miami Hurricanes teammates seamlessly reunited as rookies with the Miami Dolphins.
Miller's presence made this new NFL world seem more real.

They represent the first Hurricanes taken by the Dolphins since Vernon Carey in 2004. They also symbolize hope for thousands of South Florida children strapping on football helmets for the first time hoping to find a similar path.

Vernon and Miller are home grown, their journey from the youth football fields to Coral Gables to the NFL never required a plan ticket.

And after a spring of progression that now comes with a pay check, they appear ready to seize the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
And Vernon now sees his path very clearly.

"It was crazy, we never really thought about that before," Vernon said of playing an entire football career in South Florida. "We never really thought it was gonna happen. ... We never would have thought we would have been where we are right now, but we're just enjoying it taking it in stride."

Vernon (6-2, 261 pounds) was picked in the third round (72 overall) in April's NFL draft, and brought in to compete at defensive end. The Dolphins were impressed with Vernon despite a six-game suspension to begin 2011 for receiving impermissible benefits. Vernon played the final six games for UM compiling 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Still in the infancy of his NFL career, Vernon hasn't backed down despite his rookie status.

During one minicamp drill last month, Vernon got into a scuffle with Dolphins star left tackle Jake Long — one Vernon dismissed as a heat-of-the-moment-type tangle.

"We're cool," Vernon said. "It's a battle. Everyone's always competing every day. You're trying to win one-on-ones. You're trying to get to the quarterback. The offensive line, they're trying to block. They're trying to get pancakes and stuff like that, but it's competition."

Vernon said he completed three years of college, and after a year to learn the daily routine of an NFL player he would like to one day to complete his degree in criminology.

Had the NFL not been an option, Vernon said he would likely have followed in the path of his father, Lascelles Vernon, who works for the Miami Beach Police Department.

"I would have probably been a cop or detective, something like that," Vernon said, "been on [The] First 48."

Vernon said his father often shares stories from traffic tickets to the few Vernon prefers not to detail in public.

The few life-and-death stories left an impression on Vernon, but not until he began to comprehend his own mortality.

That gave him a greater appreciation for his father's daily ritual of leaving the house for work.

"My dad really puts his life on the line, and risks his life every time he goes out there," Vernon said. "I started realizing that when I started getting older. Like, 'Damn, it could be the last time I see my dad when he goes to work.' I appreciate what he does, and what he does for our family."
Now Vernon has the chance to be a role model himself.

The Hurricanes and the community are no doubt keeping close tabs on Vernon and Miller, including Al Golden, the coach at the University of Miami.

"There's a lot of talented players on teams around the NFL," Golden said.

"But these are two talented players that are home grown, and have tremendous character. The combination of those three is what makes us unique, and we'll certainly benefit from it, the Miami Dolphins will benefit from it, but most importantly the fans.

"I think Dolphin fans will look back two years from now and say that they ended up with three first-round picks in Vernon, [Ryan] Tannehill and Miller. I think those two have tremendous upside, and potential and will go on to have great careers for the Dolphins."


(sun-sentinel.com)

DAVIE — There's a reason why quarterbacks wear the red jerseys. Just like on a street light or stop sign, red means you are supposed to stop. But Reshad Jones ran the light and put David Garrard on the ground during a safety blitz.

Jake Long was so angered by what he saw during the 11-on-11 portion of practice the Dolphins' Pro Bowl left tackle walked from the sidelines and yelled out Jones' name. He then fired off an expletive-filled tirade that would sound like "don't [bleeping] touch the quarterback [bleep hole]" if it were cleaned up.

Jones responded with an expletive of his own..

And that snapshot of Wednesday's spirited practice was one of the tame moments during the Dolphins' second day of minicamp. The real action took place during the two skirmishes between the offensive and defensive linemen.

The first featured Richie Incognito, the team's resident tough guy, taking on Ryan Baker. The second was a ticked-off Long going after rookie pass rusher Olivier Vernon, or vice versa.

"These are the dog days of summer. It's us against the defense till we start playing preseason games. It gets testy out here," Incognito said. "It's like two brothers scrapping. We're out here pushing and shoving and having a good time.

"Defense things let's hunt the quarterback, but at the end of the day we're all fighting the same fight," Incognito said. "It's like when brothers fight. Mom and dad sit you down and you talk about it and it's done, till next time."

Coach Joe Philbin didn't mind the competitive spirit his players were exhibiting. However, he was concerned by the loss of composure. He plans to review the practice film to see which players escalated the situation to the point blows got thrown.

Philbin acknowledged he's concerned about the penalties and ejections altercations like what happened on Wednesday would draw.
"It happens," Philbin said. "You have to play hard and be smart."

Philbin plans to lecture his players on using "good judgment," but admits tempers' flaring is part of the minicamp process considering players are competing for jobs and roles.

"This time of year after you keep going against guys day in and day out you develop a dislike for each other," said offensive lineman Artis Hicks. "But once we leave this field we're all on the same team, brothers in the locker room."

-- I also have Olivier Vernon sacking Matt Moore. The rookie from UM has a productive day on Wednesday.

-- The very next play for Ryan Tannehill he was sacked by Olivier Vernon. Rookie on rookie crime.


(sun-sentinel.com)

During the 2012 draft, the Dolphins decided to tap the South Florida pipeline, selecting University of Miami teammates Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller, both of whom grew up in Miami.

Hurricanes head coach Al Golden recently joined The Finsiders to talk about Vernon and Miller and his team’s prospects heading into the 2012 season.

Though he only coached Vernon and Miller for one season, Golden clearly came away impressed with the pair.

“When you get into the 13 and 14 years (down the road), I think the Miami Dolphins and Jeff Ireland will look back and say they got three first-rounders in this draft,” Golden said. “I really believe that. Both guys are really developing, they’re incredible players, incredibly talented. I think they’re only going to get better; they’ve got so much in front of them right now.”

Prior to April’s draft,  it had been nearly a decade since the Dolphins had selected a Hurricane–offensive tackle Vernon Carey in 2004. Many wondered, especially with so many Hurricanes thriving for the better part of the last decade, why the local NFL franchise had bypassed what could potentially be a de facto feeder system.

You, of course, don’t want to draft a local player for the sake of drafting one, but if a Hurricane succeeds with the Dolphins, it can be a big boost for both teams.

Golden feels that the reach of the mutually beneficial relationship extends past those who are directly involved, also affecting what he referred to as one of the “meccas” of high school football.

“It’s vital that we have that relationship,” Golden said. “It’s not just about the Dolphins or about the Hurricanes; it’s about the vitality of football in South Florida and making sure that stays strong and that the next generation can continue to grow and be just as good as the previous generations have been.

“I know these things go in cycles, and I know both the Dolphins and the Hurricanes are going to be back here very soon.”

Recruiting top-end talent can be both a blessing and a curse for a college coach. Sure, in the moment, it’s a necessity. To compete with the other powerhouse programs, you need to bring in potential pro prospects. If too many players begin to leave early, however, it can hurt continuity, forcing coaches to lean on freshmen and sophomores.

In a sense, though, it all ends up coming back full circle. Young players want to go to schools that churn out NFL players, and historically, arguably nobody has done that better than the University of Miami.

“Once a kid makes a decision, they have our support,” Golden said. “These two young men, I think Dolphins fans are going to be really excited about moving forward. Not just how they play but how they conduct themselves in the community. I think incredible value for the franchise in rounds three and four. From what I hear, management feels the same way.”


(thefinsider.com)

Vernon, now 21 and a member of Miami’s 2012 rookie class, remembers his experience at the team’s youth football camp in 2003 like it just happened. It was then that Vernon decided for himself that football and not soccer was going to be his passion and he planned his future.

“Actually, during my first week of OTAs last month that was going through my head,” said Vernon, a defensive end who was chosen in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Dolphins out of the University of Miami. “Where we have lunch now, that’s where I would eat lunch as a kid because that’s where we had the little snacks and stuff. Then they brought us into the team meeting room and we watched the season highlights of the Dolphins. What are the odds of me being in the team meeting room again as a Miami Dolphin?”

If the resume Vernon put together for a high school a project is any indication, he already was setting some favorable odds. His objective at the top of the page read, “To obtain a position in the National Football League.” Clearly a lofty goal to some at the time, but Vernon was serious.

The fact that he was named the MVP of the Dolphins football camp in that summer of 2003 added credence to Vernon’s vision, and that was the third consecutive summer he participated.

His father, Lascelles, was a soccer player back in his native Jamaica before an unfortunate accident ended his career in high school, so while initially he was saddened by his son’s choice to stop soccer for football, he had no doubt that Olivier would reach his goal.

“Anything he puts his mind to he always sees it through and he doesn’t like to lose,” Lascelles Vernon said. “He’s very competitive and that’s what he wanted to do since he was a kid. It was very exciting watching him at Dolphins camp and everyone was amazed at how fast he was and how much stamina he had. That came from soccer and he was excited to tour the facilities and meet the Dolphins players.”

Bernadette Vernon proudly displays the jerseys her son wore all those years ago in Davie, including one with former Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler’s autograph on the back among others. She also kept the autographed Dolphins football Olivier received for being named as the camp's MVP along with lots of photos of him and his friends practicing and playing.

After watching her son excel at soccer as well as an art student, Bernadette also was caught a little off guard about his newfound passion for football. He pursued it at Miami American High School and used the skills he learned at Dolphins Camp to get a leg up on the competition and his mother realized this would be his calling.

“He knew what he wanted do from the time he was in middle school and I saw how much fun he was having at that football camp,” said Bernadette, who got to watch Olivier play in the same stadium as the Dolphins with the Miami Hurricanes. “It’s incredible. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind me that it’s real and that my son who wrote on his resume that he was going to be in the NFL is there now.”

Vernon can laugh now about what he was like as a young camper taking instructions from former Dolphins and NFL players. Tonight he will actually experience a role reversal with the rest of the Dolphins rookies as the student will become the teacher at a special rookie clinic for kids. There is no doubt Vernon will enjoy sharing his story with them.

“If they ask me about what it was like I’ll enjoy doing that because kids look up to people like us at this level,” he said. “That’ll be fun if I can just let them know that dreams can come true and that I was sitting right where they were when I was their age dreaming about being here.”

Oliver Vernon’s dream started at the Dolphins Academy football camps 10 years ago, sign up today and maybe yours will start there as well. Go to www.dolphinsacademy.com or http://www.miamidolphins.com/finatics/fins-kids/youth-programs/spring-summer-camps.html.


(miamidolphins.com)

Every Thursday Night proCanes.com joins All Canes Radio to bring the latest news on not only current Hurricane football but also proCane news and exclusive interviews with current and former proCanes live from the All Canes Store in Coral Gables. Click here to listen to this week’s show and hear our exclusive interview with former Hurricane and new proCane Olivier Vernon. Vernon talks about being drafted by the Miami Dolphins, how OTAs have gone so far, why he left early from the University of Miami and much more!

Rookie Olivier Vernon, the third-round pick from the University of Miami, will start his career as the new third-down pass rusher, a role held by Taylor last year.

"He's definitely got a motor on him, and that's one of the things you can't teach," Wake said of Vernon.

Vernon, who started just 16 games in college and missed half of his 2011 season at UM because of the scandal involving ex-booster Nevin Shapiro, admits he has a lot to learn between now and the start of the regular season.

"I don't know that much about football. I'm still fresh," he said. "So I pretty much just learn by watching, try to observe and take it all in, because you only get one shot when you get in there."


(palmbeachpost.com)

DE Olivier Vernon (Univ. of Miami), the fourth-round pick, only had nine sacks in three years in college. Some question the pick, but coach Joe Philbin said he could be a hidden gem. “We liked his physical toughness coming out, we liked his energy, we liked his motor that he played with.”



(cbssports.com)

There’s an appropriate quality to the jersey numbers selected for rookie camp by the Dolphins’ 2012 draft picks from the University of Miami.

Running back Lamar Miller wears No. 44 on his jersey, double the No. 22 worn by Reggie Bush.

Defensive end Olivier Vernon wears jersey No. 50, 0.5 off of half of No. 99, retired Dolphin Jason Taylor’s number.

What Bush and Taylor share is what the Dolphins want from Miller and Vernon: a propensity for obvious, pivotal, huge plays.

“They have some natural snaps and some natural pop in their bodies, some natural quickness or twitch, whatever word you want to use to describe their movement,” Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. “I think they have that acceleration, that quickness off the football.”

When coaches talk about “fast-twitch” players, they’re not talking about guys who move the chains. They’re talking about guys who move the scoreboard.

Miller certainly looks like that when he is hitting the edge or sprinting downfield in practice. Of course, there’s the caveat: it’s shorts in spring. Nobody has run a play at NFL speed or taken an NFL hit. Remember Lorenzo Booker, 2007 third-round pick out of Florida State? He looked like Reggie Bush in the spring, yet might as well have been a rose bush come the autumn.

Expect Miller to be used everywhere the Dolphins can find a place to get him the ball in space, including punt returns.

“Lamar is a very fluid player,” Philbin said. “I think he has multiple skills, I don’t think that he is just a runner, I think he is a guy that can catch the football, and [we will] move him around.”

Said Bush of Miller: “He seems like he’s eager to get out there and learn. He’s listened to some of the guys, he’s getting the plays down pretty well at a fast rate. He’s obviously a smart kid.”

Smart enough to know the first improvement he needed to make in his game was to be “more physical in my pass protection, just knowing where I’m supposed to be at all times. Not making little mistakes, holding onto the ball, catching the ball.”

With a new offense that takes small, quick bites at the pace of John Coltrane’s Giant Steps, two full tiers of skill position players easily could see significant playing time.

“No huddle. Up-tempo, fast-paced offense,” Bush said. “That means our conditioning will have to be high. We’ll run a lot of plays in real games. That’s something we’ve got to prepare for.”

As for Vernon, “[Olivier], we liked his physical toughness coming out, we liked his energy, we liked his motor that he played with, and he is a young guy that we think is going to get better,” Philbin said.

Vernon’s rawness isn’t as much physical as mental.

“I’ve got to learn football,” Vernon said. “I’m still in the learning process. I don’t know that much about football. I’m still fresh and new at it.

“I started playing football when I got to high school,” he explained. “And all I was playing was defensive end. So when I got over here, learning formations and personnel [groupings] like that, I never had to learn that before. Now, it’s getting a little easier.”


(mimaiherald.com)

New Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller and line back Olivier Vernon will be present at a public signing on June 9th, 2012, at the Hollywood Collectibles sports memorabilia store in Hollywood, Florida. A former University of Miami running back, Miller is one of only three UM players to have been drafted into the Dolphins since 2004. Vernon ended an drought of 8 years without the Dolphins picking a Cane. Come meet and talk with Vernon on June 9th from 11:30am to 1:00pm! Come meet and talk with Miller and Vernon on June 9th from 11:30am to 1:00pm!

Lamar Miller Public Signing

Brand new Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller will be present at a public signing on June 9th, 2012 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the Hollywood Collectibles sports memorabilia store in Hollywood, Florida.

Drafted into the Miami franchise on April 28th, Miller is a former University of Miami running back. Miller served as the UM starting running back during the 2011 season, during which he became the first UM running back since Willis McGahee in 2002 to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.

Miller is one of only two players from UM that were drafted into the Dolphins this year, the other player being defensive end Olivier Vernon. Prior to Miller and Vernon, no Cane had been drafted into the Dolphins since Vernon Carey in 2004.

Olivier Vernon Public Signing

Brand new Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon will be present at a public signing on June 9th, 2012 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the Hollywood Collectibles sports memorabilia store in Hollywood, Florida.

Vernon is one of only two players from UM that were drafted into the Dolphins this year, the other player being running back Lamar Miller. Prior to Vernon and Miller, no Cane had been drafted into the Dolphins since Vernon Carey in 2004.

Want a Lamar Miller Autograph?

The signing will be open to the general public and attendance will be free of charge. If you would like to have collectible items signed by Miller, the prices are as follows:

Flats - $25.00

Equipment - $30.00

Inscription - $10.00

Olivier Vernon, mentioned above, will also be present at this signing, with the following signing prices:

Flats - $20.00

Equipment - $25.00

Inscriptions - $5.00

Hollywood Collectibles is located at:
3311 Sheridan St
Hollywood, Fl 33021

Want more information about this signing? Contact a representative from Hollywood Collectibles by phone at (800) 844-7735 or by email at altman@hollywoodcollectibles.com

According to the Palm Beach Post, the Dolphins plan to use No. 72 pick DE Olivier Vernon as an edge rusher in nickel situations.
Vernon notched just 1.5 sacks in six games as a junior, but is a favorite of venerated Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel draft guru Bob McGinn. Vernon has loads of natural pass-rush ability, and will be worth keeping an eye on in IDP leagues as a rookie.


(rotoworld.com)

Third-round pick Olivier Vernon is another hometown product from the University of Miami. He grew up in Miami, played for the Hurricanes and is now expected to add a pass rush for the Dolphins. "It's a better feeling to represent your hometown and put Miami on your back," Vernon said. "I knew they needed a pass-rusher, but I didn’t think [Miami] would be interested in me."


(espn.com)

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn suggests Dolphins third-round pick Olivier Vernon might turn out to be the best value pick in the draft.
It should be noted that McGinn is the most plugged-in draftnik in the nation. McGinn describes Vernon as a "tough guy, physical, explosive" and believes he should have been a second-round pick. Vernon's career path was headed for stardom as a sophomore before the Nevin Shapiro fiasco ruined his final college season. He will be a down defensive end in Kevin Coyle's 4-3 scheme.


(rotoworld.com)

CORAL GABLES — Tommy Streeter appears to have made a $2 million mistake.

The University of Miami's leading receiver last year, Streeter - along with four other teammates - opted out of his final season of eligibility in December to enter the NFL Draft.

Some draft analysts graded the 6-foot-5, 219-pound Streeter as a second-round pick, not surprising since he impressed teams at the NFL Combine in February by running 40 yards in 4.4 seconds, the eighth-fastest clocking.

But by the time the NFL Draft arrived last Thursday, Streeter's stock was tumbling. Questions regarding his route-running and a "one-year wonder" label seemed to overshadow his rare combination of size and speed.

Instead of the second round, Streeter was left hanging until the Baltimore Ravens took him with the 198th overall pick late in the sixth round.
According to a long-time NFL agent with access to contract information, the average second-round draft choice in 2011 earned $2.2 million in guarantees. A sixth-rounder received an average of $101,000 guaranteed.

"Tommy Streeter should have come back to school," ESPN's Todd McShay said this week. "He knew the risks. I thought he could have used more time."

Streeter wasn't alone. His four other underclassmen teammates, with the possible exception of Dolphins' third-round pick Olivier Vernon, all were selected below where they were projected. In the case of defensive tackle Marcus Forston, he wasn't even drafted.

Lamar Miller may have been an even bigger loser than Streeter. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. included Miller in first-round mock drafts into February and most analysts listed the 5-11, 212-pound sprinter as one of the top four running backs in the draft.

But Miller, dogged by concerns about a surgically-repaired shoulder, lasted until the fourth round and 97th overall selection, where the Dolphins traded up for him.

How much money did Miller leave on the table? Judging by last year's rookie contracts, he may have lost millions.

Stanford's Sione Fua, the 97th overall selection in the 2011 draft, signed a four-year contract for $2.6 million. Offensive tackle Derrick Sherrod, the final pick of the first round in 2011, signed a four-year deal for $6.6 million. Sherrod also received a $3.3 million signing bonus compared to a $514,000 bonus for Fua.

So who's to blame?

You can start with the players themselves. Each of the UM quintet chose not to petition the NFL Draft Advisory Board, a committee of general managers and personnel directors who advise underclassmen on their draft status.

"In 15 years of coaching, I've never seen that," UM coach Al Golden said last month. "It's a function of what the young person is listening to."
Which brings us to Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for all five underclassmen.

Rosenhaus declined an interview request for this story. But during his weekly appearance on WQAM this week, Rosenhaus sidestepped a question regarding his clients' choice not to query the NFL Draft Advisory Board and didn't assign himself any responsibility for what, in retrospect, seems like poor decisions by the players to turn pro.

Olivier Vernon (Junior) was the first proCane drafted in the 2012 NFL Draft going to the Miami Dolphins with the 9th pick of the 3rd Round 72nd pick overall.

Sean Spence (Senior) followed Olivier Vernon by getting picked with the 23rd pick of the 3rd Round and 86th pick overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Lamar Miller (Redshirt Sophomore) was then picked in the 4th Round by the Miami Dolphins with the 2nd pick in the 4th round, 97th pick overall.

Travis Benjamin (Senior) was selected by the Cleveland Browns three spots later with the 5 pick in the 4th round, 100 overall.

We then had to wait till the 6th round for Tommy Streeter (Junior) to be selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 198th pick overall, 28th pick in the 6th Round.

Brandon Washington (Junior) followed Streeter by getting picked by the Philadelphia Eagles 2 picks later with the 30th pick in the 6th round, 200th pick overall.

Below are the free agent signing which will be constantly updated:

Chase Ford TE (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - Philadelphia Eagles
Marcus Forston DL (Junior) - Undrafted Free Agent - New England Patriots
Micanor Regis DL (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - Atlanta Falcons
LaRon Byrd WR (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - Arizona Cardinals
Adewale Ojomo DE (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - New York Giants
Jacory Harris QB (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - Miami Dolphins (TRYOUT) & Arizona Cardinals (TRYOUT)
Tyler Horn C (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - Atlanta Falcons
Aldarius Johnson WR (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent -
JoJo Nicolas DB/S (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - New York Giants
Joel Figueroa OL (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - Miami Dolphins (TRYOUT)
Lee Chambers DB (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent -
Chris Ivory LS (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent -
Harland Gunn OL (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - Dallas Cowboys
Mike Williams DB (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent -
Andrew Smith DE (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent -
Jordan Futch LB (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Marcus Robinson DE/LB (Senior) - Undrafted Free Agent -

DAVIE— A rich blend of ingredients in South Florida has made this region known nationwide for cultivating some of the world's most promising football talent.

Universities burn through stacks of cash so they can flood the area, and mine the high school fields for future stars.

The NFL's no different when it comes to sifting through annual player evaluations to prepare for the draft.

This year, the Miami Dolphins again traveled the country to determine the dimes from the duds.

Turns out two Dolphins draft picks were found relatively close, just 30 miles south at the University of Miami.

For eight years, the Dolphins had plucked their prospects elsewhere.

In the past few days, Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller became the first Hurricanes drafted by the Dolphins since 2004 when they took Vernon Carey with the 19th overall pick.

Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland indicated there is a strengthening bond between the two programs, which could mean more opportunities for some Hurricanes in the future.

"We want to try to create a relationship with the Hurricanes and Al Golden," Ireland said. "He's been very good to me. I respect him very much as a head football coach and I know the way he coaches. I like the way he coaches his players. I believe in his program. I believe in him."

That sparkling endorsement of Golden should be a boost for the man who guided the Hurricanes through a tumultuous 6-6 season in 2011 that followed an NCAA investigation.

Last August, the NCAA suspended eight Hurricanes for taking extra benefits from former Hurricanes booster Nevin Shapiro. Vernon was one, suspended six games and forced to repay $1,200 in benefits. He said Friday that the suspension kept him from fulfilling his collegiate goals, but that "everything happens for a reason."

Golden was not the head coach when the infractions occurred. Instead, he represents hope for 'Canes fans, who believe he can return the program to prominence.

Golden acknowledged Sunday in an email that working on relationships with NFL teams is not new. When he was Temple University's head coach, Golden worked to repair relations with the Philadelphia Eagles that had soured before his arrival in 2005. He hopes those efforts in turn created a bond of trust between the teams he believes helped at least three Owls earn opportunities with the Eagles.

"Without question we want the same relationship with the Dolphins," Golden wrote. "We try to accommodate their scouts as much as possible and make sure we always keep our players in front of them, especially the less-heralded candidates in the later rounds or in (undrafted free agents). There is great value in this part of the draft annually and our aim is to provide the Dolphins with a distinct home field advantage."

Ireland attended the Hurricanes' pro day in March, then hosted a local prospect workout before the draft. That provided the Dolphins more time to inspect the Hurricanes, which ultimately led to the two picks and possibly more opportunities for UFAs.

Miller (5-10, 212 pounds) is a speedy running back, who was considered a bargain by some as a fourth-round pick. He decided to leave UM early after rushing for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore.

"We look at Lamar Miller as a back that has an opportunity to create explosive plays," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. "...If you looked at our board ... it was hard to ignore the guy."

Vernon (6-2, 261) is a defensive end/outside linebacker, and was a third-round pick by the Dolphins. He should address the Dolphins' pass-rushing needs as they move toward a new 3-4 scheme.

"We had good long talks about each of these players we drafted," Ireland said. "From Al's prospective and my prospective, I think we're just scratching the surface of the ability of the two players from the University of Miami. Obviously, Olivier and Lamar, I think they're two tremendous prospects. The ceiling is endless."

Former 'Canes quarterback Jacory Harris and offensive lineman Joel Figueroa were invited to the rookie minicamp. A strong performance could earn them contract offers.


(orlandosentinel.com)

DE Olivier Vernon (Univ. of Miami), the Dolphins' third-round pick, served a six-game suspension for his role in the scandal led by rogue booster Nevin Shapiro, the convicted Ponzi schemer. Vernon (18 tackles, 1.5 sacks) had a second-round grade, according to some, but he had a small body of work as a senior.



(cbssports.com)

Olivier Vernon was the first proCane drafted in the 2012 NFL Draft going to the Miami Dolphins with the 9th pick of the 3rd Round 72nd pick overall.

Sean Spence followed Olivier Vernon by getting picked with the 23rd pick of the 3rd Round and 86th pick overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here is a list of the remaining proCanes eligible for the draft.

Lamar Miller RB - 3rd Round
Brandon Washington OG - 3rd-5th Round
Tommy Streeter WR - 3rd-5th Round
Travis Benjamin WR - 5th-7th Round
Chase Ford TE - 5th-7th Round
Marcus Forston DL - 5th-7th Round
Micanor Regis DL - 6th-7th Round
LaRon Byrd WR - 7th Round-Undrafted Free Agent
Adewale Ojomo DE - 7th Round-Undrafted Free Agent

-------------------

Jacory Harris QB - Undrafted Free Agent
Tyler Horn C - Undrafted Free Agent
Aldarius Johnson WR - Undrafted Free Agent
JoJo Nicolas DB/S - Undrafted Free Agent
Joel Figueroa OL - Undrafted Free Agent
Lee Chambers DB - Undrafted Free Agent
Chris Ivory LS - Undrafted Free Agent
Harland Gunn OL - Undrafted Free Agent
Mike Williams DB - Undrafted Free Agent
Andrew Smith DE - Undrafted Free Agent
Jordan Futch LB - Undrafted Free Agent

In his seven-round mock draft released Wednesday night, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay projects seven Hurricanes will be chosen. They are Lamar Miller (2nd round, 59th overall to Green Bay), Olivier Vernon (3rd round, 80th overall to Arizona), Sean Spence (4th round, 124th overall to Buffalo), Tommy Streeter (5th round, 154th over New York Jets), Brandon Washington (5th, 159th overall to Pittsburgh), Marcus Forston (6th round, 176th overall to Jacksonville) and Travis Benjamin (6th round, 191st overall to Cincinnati). By comparison, McShay predicts nine players from national champion Alabama will be drafted, although five are projected to go in the first round.


(palmbeachpost.com)

He played at a major college program, but he hasn’t gotten the same pub as some of the household name talents in the 2012 draft class. Miami DE Olivier Vernon won’t come off the board on the first two days of the draft in all likelihood, but he could be a very good value on day 3.

“Vernon to me, I think he’s a better player than maybe the perception, and at 6’3″, 262, I think he played defensive end, can play outside linebacker, can do a little bit of both,” said ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay. ”Has some stiffness, there’s no question.  He’s not a great athlete, and his production didn’t always match up, and I’ve heard some things, is he mature enough, how does he work and all those things.  But if he is focused and doing the right things and working at it and 100 percent dedicated to football, he’s well built, solid, strong, shows some quickness off the line, and I think he has a chance to make an impact as a pass rusher at the next level.”

The problem for Vernon is he’s very raw. He was caught up in the Nevin Shapiro scandal at Miami and was suspended for the first six games in 2011. That’s why it was surprising to see him declare early for the draft. But he was a highly touted prep player and has talent. Scouts just have to be convinced that there’s long term potential there.

He’s the kind of player that the Giants and Steelers usually draft because they have starters they can rely on while grooming a kid like this. Most draft services have him forecast anywhere from late round 5 to round 7. He also made a pre-draft visit with the Bills for what it’s worth.


(buffalobills.com)

CORAL GABLES – ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay said he wouldn't be shocked to see as many as nine former Miami Hurricanes players selected next week, but "a safe bet" is seven.

McShay said on a conference call Tuesday he expects running back Lamar Miller, receivers Tommy Streeter and Travis Benjamin, linebacker Sean Spence, offensive lineman Brandon Washington, defensive tackle Marcus Forston and defensive end Olivier Vernon to be drafted.

He described defensive end Adewale Ojomo and defensive tackle Micanor Regis as "on the fringe," and listed receiver LaRon Byrd and tight end Chase Ford as "sleepers" late in the seven-round draft.

Miller is projected to be the first 'Canes player taken. McShay said on-air Tuesday that Miller would be a "steal" for the Denver Broncos at No. 57. Later, on the conference call, he noted, "Olivier Vernon of all those guys after Miller is most intriguing to me. … I think he's a better player than maybe the perception [of him]."

McShay said the 6-foot-2, 262-pound Vernon can play both end and outside linebacker in the NFL.

"He has some stiffness, there's no question," McShay noted. "He's not a great athlete and his production didn't always match up [to his talent]. And I've heard some things. Is he mature enough?

"But if he his focused and doing all the right things and working and 100 percent dedicated to football, he's well-built, solid, strong, shows some quickness off the line and he has a chance to make an impact as a pass rusher at the next level."

McShay said "there's a strong chance" Streeter will be drafted in the third or fourth round, but he personally would have a hard time drafting him in the first four rounds.

"There's a lot of interest because of his height, weight and speed and certainly he's a great athlete. He has more potential than we've seen him do at Miami," McShay said. "But the tape just doesn't match up with what I see."

McShay said he doubts quarterback Jacory Harris will be drafted at all.

"He showed some flashes this past year. I thought he would be better this past year, but the inconsistency jumps out," McShay said, citing turnovers. He added that there are concerns from NFL teams about Harris' durability because of his relatively thin frame.

"But he has enough arm talent, so it's not to say he won't one day land on a roster if he's able to continue to develop somehow. It's just tough to develop as a quarterback. There's nowhere to really go and get good from this point on."


(sun-sentinel.com)

Three collegiate LBs visited the Steelers on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported: California ILB Mychal Kendricks, Virginia OLB Cameron Johnson and Miami (Fla.) OLG Olivier Vernon. The Steelers parted ways with defensive captain and longtime ILB James Farrior early in the offseason, so they may well look for help inside.


(cbssports.com)

New Orleans Saints Mid Round Priority: Olivier Vernon DE, Miami: Had the makings of becoming a draftable prospect as a sophomore. However, wasted a year in 2011 and now despite having some natural talent, he's still raw and looks more like a talented late round/free agent with limited production.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

Defender Olivier Vernon ran under 4.7 seconds today, the time he hoped to clock at the combine. His weight was 262 pounds and afterward Vernon looked explosive and fast in linebacker drills.




(cnnsi.com)

Lee Chambers finished with the fastest 40-yard dash time of the Hurricanes who ran it Thursday with a 4.41. Wide receiver LaRon Byrd was second with a 4.46. Another impressive time came from the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Olivier Vernon, who ran the 40 in 4.68 seconds.



(sun-sentinel.com)

Jacory Harris Grade 51
6'3" Height
32 1/8" Arm Length
203LBS. Weight
9 3/4" Hands

Travis Benjamin Grade 73
5'10" Height
31 3/4" Arm Length
172LBS. Weight
8 3/4" Hands

Marcus Forston Grade 64.5
6'3" Height
300LBS. Weight

Lamar Miller Grade 87
5'11" Height
31 3/8" Arm Length
212LBS. Weight
9 1/4" Hands

Sean Spence Grade 80.2
5'11" Height
222LBS. Weight

Tommy Streeter Grade 71
6'5" Height
34 3/4" Arm Length
219LBS. Weight
9 1/2" Hands

Olivier Vernon Grade 82
6'4" Height
265LBS. Weight

Brandon Washington Grade 66
6'3" Height
33" Arm Length
320LBS. Weight
9 3/4" Hands

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami -- Miller has not let postseason shoulder surgery slow him down. The speedy back recently returned to training after rehabbing his shoulder and has been posting times in the mid-4.3s.

Oliver Vernon, DE-OLB, Miami -- Vernon sat on the sidelines for half of last season, serving an NCAA suspension. His stats, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, are nothing to get excited about. But on film Vernon looks fast and athletic. He could be the talk of the Combine; at more than 260 pounds, he has been regularly posting times in the low-4.6-second range


(cnnsi.com)

Miami DE Olivier Vernon fits the classic one-gap style for the position at 6-4 and 265, plus with good speed. The interview process in Indy will be big with him because he was suspended six games for taking $1,200 in benefits from Miami booster Nevin Shapiro. One of the few middle-to-late round DE prospects who fares well against the run and pass.


(cbssports.com)

AVENTURA – Olivier Vernon trotted past the finish line so fast Pete Bommarito just about triple checked his stopwatch. The former University of Miami standout who left school early to enter the NFL draft had just ran a 40-yard dash time that would be declared fast for a linebacker. Ironically, that's the position most NFL experts believe this Hurricanes defensive end might end up playing.

"Don't you dare write that down," said Bommarito, the founder and CEO of Bommarito Performance, a training program that works with NFL and MLB players.

Bommarito immediately became paranoid, and no longer trusted the 40-yard dash times he had on the 50 NFL draft prospects he's trained for this week's NFL Combine, and their school's Pro Day.

Suspecting his times were wind assisted during their Tuesday workout Bommarito spends 15 minutes changing directions of the sprints. But Vernon runs another fast 40-time fellow teammate, UM linebacker Sean Spence, is envious of.

If Vernon manages to keep that pace at this week's NFL combine his lukewarm draft stock will certainly heat up.

"I want to show off my athletic ability. I want to show I'm versatile. I want to show I can play in any scheme, a 4-3 or a 3-4," said Vernon, who contributed 18 tackles, and 1.5 sacks in the six games he played last season. "I don't want to be looked at as a defensive end."

Vernon, who contributed 39 tackles and six sacks in 2010, missed six games because of an NCAA suspension. Plenty Hurricane fans second guessed his decision to enter the NFL draft, but he has plenty of company in his early exodus to the NFL.

A record-setting 65 underclassmen entered this year's draft class, and five of them were Hurricanes.

Tailback Lamar Miller skipped his final two seasons at UM after rushing for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns. However, he's got a pretty decent excuse considering tailbacks have a short shelf life in the NFL.

Miller, who is often compared to Clinton Portis, is projected as a second-round pick, and is unanimously viewed as one of the draft's top three tailbacks.

Tommy Streeter, who led the Hurricanes in catches (46), receiving yards (811) and touchdown catches (eight), cashed out after his one breakout season. Streeter hopes his rare blend of speed (6-foot-5), size and athleticism pushes him up the draft boards.

Brandon Washington left UM after playing out of position as a tackle his junior season. This offensive guard is viewed as one of the draft's top 50 prospects.

"I felt like I was ready for the next level," said Washington, who a first-team All-ACC left guard selection as a sophomore. "My mindset was different. I'm ready to play against grown men."

Defensive tackle Marcus Fortson played in three games last season before blowing out his knee. He could have petitioned the NCAA for another year of eligibility, but preferred to move on.

"It is unusual to have that many [early entries] especially given the record they had last year. I don't know what the situation is," said Mike Mayock, NFL Network's draft analyst. "I'm an Al Golden proponent. I live in Philadelphia. He came from Temple. I don't know if he went down there with a different way of doing things, and that's why so many underclassmen left. I don't know that answer. But we're not talking about five first-round picks like in the old days at Miami."

The early defections gutted the Hurricanes' talent base. But UM's loss could be the NFL's gain.

All of the early entrants were invited to the combine, and with strong performances in the draft process their draft stock could rise considerably.

The recent success of former Hurricanes tight end Jimmy Graham, a third-round pick who made it to the Pro Bowl last year, and undrafted success stories like Sam Shields and Antonio Dixon proves the UM brand still has some cache.

"I'm a physical specimen, a physical playmaker, a guy who creates mismatches on any area of the field," said Streeter, who'll receive his degree this spring. "I still feel like the first round is still a possibility….I control my own destiny."


(sun-sentinel.com)