Punter Pat O’Donnell missed Sunday’s win against the Oakland Raiders because of a right knee injury, leaving the Bears to sign and play veteran Spencer Lanning.

O’Donnell, though, said he expects to practice this week.

“I’m doing well,” O’Donnell said after the Bears’ 22-20 victory at Soldier Field. “I’ll get back to it next week and see how it goes. [It’s] a little minor thing. They just rested me this week.”

Lanning punted three times for 136 yards, including a long of 51 yards. His second punt was returned 22 yards by T.J. Carrie.

O’Donnell commended Lanning, who handled the holds for kicker Robbie Gould without error. Gould made 54- and 49-yard field goals. The 49-yarder was the game-winner.

“He did a great job,” O’Donnell said of Lanning. “He’s a pro. He’s been in this league. He definitely knows it takes to step in and fill the role.”


(suntimes.com)

Punter Pat O’Donnell didn’t practice Wednesday at Halas Hall because of a right knee injury, but special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers didn’t seem overly concerned.

O’Donnell’s injury is not believed to be a serious.

“It’s early,” Rodgers said. “We’ll see where Pat’s at at the end of the week.”

O’Donnell had a very busy day against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, punting 10 times for 477 yards. It included a 72-yarder. O’Donnell also saved a touchdown by helping tackle cornerback Richard Sherman on a trick play during a punt return.

If O’Donnell can’t go in Week 4 against the Oakland Raiders, a free agent will be signed.

“I certainly don’t expect Matt Slauson to punt for us,” Rodgers said. “There’s a couple available veteran guys if we need to get into that. You spend some time in the preseason evaluating some other guys, so that when you get into this situation, you have a short list, a ready list. ‘Hey, if something happens, here’s who we can use.’ If we had to do that, we could. We’ll see where Pat’s at come Sunday.”


(chicago-suntimes.com)

For how bad the Bears were last year, one would think that fans would be pretty familiar with the team’s punter.

However, while doing a little undercover work during the preseason, Bears punter Pat O’Donnell found out first hand just how unknown he was.

https://t.co/MOhd9GChIh

— Kyle Thele (@Thele10) August 25, 2015

The Bears sent O’Donnell out into the training camp crowd at their Bourbonnais facilities asking fans what they thought of the team’s punter. A few had no idea who he was at all. Others successfully danced around the details all together.

For one fan, O’Donnell even pushed the envelope a little further. He asked the fan what he thought of the team’s “new” return man Anthony Adams.

https://t.co/ack9niX59t

— Kyle Thele (@Thele10) August 25, 2015

Of course, Anthony Adams was a defensive lineman who has been retired for a few years now. Not only did the fan say they watched Adams at practice, but apparently he looked good.

With another rough looking season ahead, it’s pretty likely Bears fans will get familiar with O’Donnell soon.


(chicago.suntimes.com)

DAYTONA BEACH — Pat O'Donnell's road to the NFL took him through Daytona Beach for workouts with Dan Lundy and One on One Kicking, and now that he's established the Chicago Bears punter appears intent on keeping his offseason stops on the calendar. 

O'Donnell made a recent trip to Daytona Beach to workout alongside Lundy, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos, former Spruce Creek and current Mercer kicker Jagger Lieb and former Seabreeze and current Saint Anselm punter/kicker Shane Grayson.

"It's always great to get back to your roots and work with the guys that you are used to working with," O'Donnell said. "Dan Lundy is a great guy, and it's great to work alongside guys like (Kansas City Chiefs kicker) Cairo Santos."

O'Donnell is a physical specimen.

He stands 6-foot-4, weighs 220 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.6 seconds and did 23 reps of 225 pounds at the NFL Combine last year.

That, along with his booming leg, was enough to convince Chicago to use its sixth-round pick on him.

As a rookie, the former Miami Hurricane finished 23rd in the league with a net average of 37.7 yards per punt.

That's a number he would like to see improve.

"I'm just trying to be more consistent," he said. "And, I think,  any time you can be more consistent, you will see your numbers increase."

That doesn't mean that O'Donnell hasn't been working on adding a little flash to his game. During the offseason, he has posted several trick punt videos to social media — including one that shows him booting the ball over a house and into a garbage can.

"That's just having some fun," he said laughing. "And it's a way to keep the fans excited about the season."

As for O'Donnell, he said he doesn't need much to get him going heading into the season. The Bears have a new coach in John Fox, and there has been some overhaul to the roster.

"I'm excited," O'Donnell said. "There is a lot of energy in the locker room. We start back up July 29, and I think everybody is ready to get after it."


(news-journalonline.com)

#proCane #Bears P Pat O’Donnell and S Antrel Rolle workout at #TheU

#UFam #BearDown

A photo posted by Pat O'Donnell (@patodonnell_16) on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:40pm PDT

The Pro Football Writers of America has revealed their All Rookie Team for the 2014 season and the Chicago Bears are just one of seven teams with multiple players selected. Cornerback Kyle Fuller and punter Pat O'Donnell were both recognized for their outstanding play this season.

This is O'Donnell's second all rookie honor, and as I mentioned last time, he was the only rookie that punted during the 2014 season.

O'Donnell's net average of 37.7 was 28th best in the NFL. His average of 43.8 was 27th. He had 20 punts placed inside the 20, which was 28th.

During his 2013 season at the University of Miami his punting average was 47.1, so you can see what a big leg he has. I think an off season of working solely on his craft will allow him to come back and have a much improved 2015 season.


(windycitygridiron.com)

Drafting a punter in any round is usually a gamble, so it's good to see Chicago Bears 6th round draft pick Pat O'Donnell finish up as the best rookie punter for the 2014 season according to Mel Kiper of ESPN. I probably should mention that he was the only rookie punter to punt during the season, but what the heck, as Bear fans we should revel in the award.

Now that living legend Patrick Mannelly has retired, we need another special teamer to throw our outlandish support behind. Why can't that guy be another Pat?
Here's what Kiper said about O'Donnell.

Hey, I'll take it: Another preseason pick that worked out. O'Donnell can be better -- the 37.7 net average isn't particularly impressive -- but he tops the group.
Tops the group? Well, technically that is right, be it a group of one.

O'Donnell's net average of 37.7 was 28th best in the NFL. His average of 43.8 was 27th. He had 20 punts placed inside the 20, which was 28th.

During his 2013 season at the University of Miami his punting average was 47.1, so you can see what a big leg he has. I think an off season of working solely on his craft will allow him to come back and have a much improved 2015 season.


(windycitygridiron.com)

Points have been hard to come by the season for the Bears, so the last thing they need is another potential source of them unavailable for Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys. That could be the case, as kicker Robbie Gould didn’t participate in Tuesday’s practice due to a quad injury.

“Robbie was sore this morning,” coach Marc Trestman said. “So we just rested him today. We’ll see where he is like with the other guys who didn’t practice today. We’ll just see where he is tomorrow.”

Trestman wouldn’t elaborate on contingency plans, calling it an “organizational issue” and adding that the team would see where Gould’s at Wednesday. Punter Pat O’Donnell is the backup, and he last kicked field goals in high school. O’Donnell said his range is around 45 yards, and he kicks once a week even when Gould is healthy.

“Pat practiced today,” Trestman said. “So I’ll leave it at that. He practiced today, and again, we’re hopeful. We’ll see where Robbie is tomorrow.”


(cbslocal.com)

Rookie punter Pat O’Donnell, also known as “Mega-punt,” had the highest gross average by a Bears punter in a game since Todd Sauerbrun back in 1997. O’Donnell averaged 53 yards per punt with a net average of 45.7. O’Donnell has improved the Bears punt game vastly after Adam Podlesh struggled last year and seems to have clicked the past couple of weeks.



(isportsweb.com)

Bears punter Pat O'Donnell has never crossed paths with Devin Hester.

O'Donnell is only a rookie after all. And even though he, like Hester, played his college ball at Miami, what he knows about the legendary return specialist comes mostly from watching highlights.

"He's an explosive player," O'Donnell said Wednesday. "He's great in the open field. So you need to take that away from him."

With that scouting report needing a bit more detail this week, that makes O'Donnell's special teams mentor, Robbie Gould, a pretty valuable resource. Gould spent eight seasons as Hester's teammate, gaining a profound appreciation for his explosiveness on game day and his meticulous preparation methods.

"He's the best returner to ever play," Gould said. "He doesn't just catch the ball and run really fast. He sets up his returns really well. He sees the return really well. And when he sees green space, he's going to go find it."

Yes, the Bears are well aware of the challenge that awaits them when they head to the Georgia Dome on Sunday to face Hester and the Falcons. From 2006 to '13, Hester was a keg full of dynamite as a returner for the Bears, delivering 19 regular-season return touchdowns.

Three weeks ago, he recorded his NFL-record 20th return score, taking a Buccaneers punt 62 yards to the end zone.

So the Bears have decisions to make this week on how to handle Hester — whether to kick to him, where to kick to him, how to align their coverages.

Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis knows the importance of homework in a week like this. But when asked if the challenge of facing the greatest returner in league history is fun for him, DeCamillis leaned back and laughed.

"Yeah, this is a blast, man," he said with obvious sarcasm. "I'm having a blast right now."

The Bears are far from the first team to have Hester anxiety. In nine seasons, including Super Bowl XLI, Hester has delivered 21 return scores against 14 teams off of 16 kickers and punters.

The obvious armchair advice is to kick away from him, to send kickoffs through the end zone whenever possible and to angle punts toward the seats.

But Gould notes the dangers involved in trying only to drill kickoffs through the field of play, potentially creating line drives without great hang time that Hester might snag a yard or two from the end line, fueling his aggressiveness.

And on the suggestion of consistently firing punts out of bounds, DeCamillis notes the pitfalls there too.

"It's a lot easier (to say) to just hit the ball out of bounds than what people think," DeCamillis said. "You have to protect for the rush. … Otherwise, everybody would do it. I'm sure at Soldier Field, you probably saw it a lot where people hit 20-yard punts trying to do that."

Hester is no doubt itching for a chance to make his former organization pay. On a conference call Wednesday, he admitted he was bothered by the Bears' decision to move in a different direction last winter, allowing his contract to expire in March and never seriously considering a new deal for the 10 days he sat on the free-agent market.

"They didn't offer me no contract," Hester said. "They didn't call me, period. … I just had to take it the way it was."

Past business aside, Hester has a more pressing focus on finding a way to make an impact Sunday. He called O'Donnell a young player "trying to get a feel for the game right now." And his familiarity with Gould, he says, gives him an understanding of the kicker's strengths and shortcomings.

Asked specifically what Gould's weaknesses are, Hester paused.

"Robbie knows," he said with a chuckle.

Gould, however, wants it known he has no aversion to putting the ball in Hester's hands.

"Devin knows my tendencies," he said. "But I've got a good game plan ready for him. … It's not about shying away from Devin. Listen, he puts a lot of pressure on you as a kicker. But you talk about having opportunities to play against a great player, and you have to step up and play great."

Hester's most recent return score — that 62-yarder against Lovie Smith's Bucs in Week 3 — flashed reminders of his brilliance, his speed, savvy, vision and agility all exploding like a firework.

"We've got to get to him fast and make sure we wrap up," said Bears rookie Senorise Perry, a member of the punt coverage team. "He loves to do anything outrageous to get a touchdown. He's kind of a daredevil. He'll try anything."

Perry has been marveling at Hester highlights since he grew up a Miami Hurricanes fan with Hester as one of his favorite players. Asked if he would introduce himself Sunday, Perry smiled.

"I'm kind of nervous when I get around people like that," he said.

Hester can have that effect.


(chicagotribune.com)

Pat O'Donnell, P: Toss out O'Donnell's pedestrian 32.0 net average at Bank of America Stadium. That number is skewed because of the coverage miscues that led to Carolina's 79-yard punt return touchdown. O'Donnell crushed the ball in Week 5. His four punts averaged 52.3 yards with a long of 63 yards. He pinned the Panthers inside the 20-yard line on two of his four attempts. Here's the special teams silver lining: Pat O'Donnell.


(espn.com)

Pat O'Donnell, the Most Athletic Guy on the Field Playing the Least Athletic Position

Pat O'Donnell is a punter out of the University of Miami who was drafted in the 6th round by the Chicago Bears. He has a big leg, averaging 47.1 yards per punt his senior year, and he will likely be the starting punter for the Bears this year.

But O'Donnell has so much more to offer than just kicking a ball really high!

An absolute athletic freak, he tore up the NFL Combine. Measuring a solid 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, O'Donnell had 23 reps on the Bench Press (more than Jadeveon Clowney), ran a 4.64 40-Yard Dash (faster than Khalil Mack) and had a solid 30.5" Vertical Jump (the same as Zach Ertz).

Sure, O'Donnell can boom punts. But for this beast to be on the field for only a few plays per game is a downright travesty. He went stride for stride with Earl Thomas (who runs a 4.43 40-Yard Dash) on a touchdown-saving tackle in the pre-season, and he even forced a fumble in college! We would love to see O'Donnell put his athleticism to good use in a position like wide receiver or outside linebacker.






(stack.com)

The Chicago Bears are preparing to make their first round of roster cuts this week, and a couple of the decisions that are being made in the special teams phase of the game are already leaking out.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Pat O’Donnell, whom the Bears took in the sixth round of May’s NFL Draft, has won the competition to be the team’s punter. Tress Way, who struggled during the team’s first two preseason games, was waived by the Bears according to Biggs.

#Bears 6th rd pick Pat O'Donnell has won punting competition. Source says team has waived P Tress Way.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 18, 2014

It isn’t much of a surprise to see O’Donnell win the battle to become the team’s punter, considering that GM Phil Emery has been very adamant about keeping draft picks on the roster. Last year’s draft class had every single player retained on the opening day roster, and it seems very likely that the Bears will keep just about all of their picks this time around, with offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr. being the only one still on the fence.

At any rate, the Bears still have plenty of questions to answer regardless of which players win the position battles on special teams. Replacing Devin Hester is still a battle that needs to be won, with Micheal Spurlock holding an edge in the competition over the injured Chris Williams. Eric Weems was released over the weekend to make room for wide receiver Santonio Holmes on the roster, so it would appear that the team is confident either Spurlock or Williams will win the job.

Special teams coordinator Joe Decamillis has a lot of work to do over the final few weeks of preparation before the regular season, but with decisions already being made at punter and long snapper, he should be able to focus on getting his team ready tactically instead.


(nbcchicago.com)

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- NFL punters are hardly ever the center of attention; except when things go horribly wrong in a game, like a bad kick or botched snap.

But Bears' rookie punter Pat O'Donnell proved to be the exception to that rule on Sunday.

A large part of the estimated 9,500 fans in attendance on Sunday spent the entire portion of the special teams drills loudly cheering for O'Donnell and chanting "Mega-Punt” every time he punted the ball.

O'Donnell's highly-touted right leg did not disappoint. Aside from one or two mishits, the majority of the rookie's punts were high and deep. One kick registered an unofficial hang time of 5.1 seconds and appeared to travel well over 50 yards.

"I didn't know what the crowd was saying,” O'Donnell said after practice. "I was just trying to keep focused. It's definitely a good feeling because the punter usually doesn't get a lot of attention. But it's the nature of the business. I just need to do my thing and hopefully flip the field when I can.”

Bears special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis added: "That's a first for me [hearing fans chant for a punter]. I was thinking you have to be kidding me over there. It was ridiculous. Let's keep the kid's feet on the ground.”

However, expectations are high for O'Donnell, after the Bears spent a sixth-round pick on the 6-foot-4, 220 pound punter from Miami following a record-setting year when he averaged a school single-season best 47.1 yards per punt and had 23 kicks sail 50-plus yards.

Generally speaking, when a team drafts a punter, it becomes his job to lose. But former undrafted free agent Tress Way stepped up his performance following the Bears selection of O'Donnell, and actually outkicked the rookie in the offseason program, paving the way for a genuine camp competition.

But Sunday clearly belonged to O'Donnell.

"I thought [O'Donnell] did some good things today,” DeCamillis said. "But we need to just keep working and hopefully he continues stacking good days on top of good days.”

Punter is not the only specialist position up for grabs. The retirement of decorated veteran Patrick Mannelly left a serious void at long snapper, one the Bears are currently trying to fill with either Chad Rempel or Brandon Hartson.

In the Mannelly era, the Bears experienced a bad snap maybe once every five or six years. This summer, there have been multiple long snapping miscues over the span of just three days since camp opened on Friday.

"I wouldn't say we are concerned," DeCamillis said. "We need to work through the process and find out who our guy is going to be. Hopefully he's on this team right now. He may not be. We'll have to see. But I wouldn't say we're concerned. I've been in this position before with young guys. You just need to work through the process."


(espn.com)

Rookie kicker Pat O’Donnell, the only punter drafted this year, by the Bears in the sixth round, has been making an impression ever since his first punt in rookie minicamp, which boomed into the Walter Payton Center roof 90 feet above the playing surface.

That hasn’t slackened, and on Wednesday the Bears used a “jugs” machine to deliver punts to returners during practice, since O’Donnell’s kicks were only infrequently getting to them without interference from the roof.

But coaches are more than pleased with the ball-launching of O’Donnell, selected in the sixth round of the 2014 draft.

“That’s something that’s good, by the way,” said special-teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis. “If it hits the roof in there, that means they are hanging the ball. If they don’t hit the roof that’s usually not a good thing because that means it’s coming right back at you in the return form. I’m glad that it’s hitting the roof, let’s just say that.”

If there is one surprise on “teams” it has been the showing of Tress Way, who came to camp last year as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma with virtually zero chance of unseating Adam Podlesh.

Podlesh punted his way out of Chicago this offseason and Way has seized the situation and is conceding nothing to O’Donnell because of the latter’s status as a draft choice.

“I think it's going to be a heck of a competition,” DeCamillis said. “I think when we drafted Pat, for whatever reason Tress really picked his business up. He's really punted well and it's going to be a heck of a competition…

“I've seen some guys fold and some guys rise to the occasion and obviously you want the guys that are going to rise to the occasion. You want a guy that knows how to compete and that's what we've seen so far so hopefully that continues.”


(csnchocago.com)

David Gilbert and Luther Robinson – signed NFL contracts Monday.

Gilbert signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans where he will play outside linebacker, which is moving to a “hybrid” 3-4 defense. Gilbert had tried out for the Titans last week, as did AJ Highsmith who was not signed.

Luther Robinson signed a rookie deal with the Green Bay Packers, where he is listed as a defensive end.

Here is the full list of NFL proCane Rookies and where they have signed.

RG Brandon Linder: drafted 3rd round, 93rd overall by Jacksonville
P Pat O’Donnell: drafted 6th round, 191st overall by Chicago
OT Seantrel Henderson: drafted 7th round, 237th overall by Buffalo
QB Stephen Morris: signed with Jacksonville
WR Allen Hurns: signed with Jacksonville
Basketball player Erik Swoope: signed with Indianapolis to play TE
TE Asante Cleveland: signed with San Francisco
OG/C Jared Wheeler: signed with Carolina
FB Maurice Hagens: signed with Atlanta
DT Justin Renfrow: signed with Arizona
LB Jimmy Gaines: signed with Buffalo
S A.J. Highsmith: had Tennessee tryout, but was not signed, will workout with San Francisco
S Kacy Rodgers II: will try out with Kansas City this weekend
LB Tyrone Cornelius: will try out with Washington this weekend
DT Curtis Porter: signed with Oakland
DE Shayon Green: signed with Miami

Al Golden has been the head coach at the University of Miami since December 2010. But Golden also serves as the Hurricanes’ special teams coordinator, which makes him a valuable resource for information on new Bears punter Pat O’Donnell.

The Bears selected O’Donnell in the sixth round of the NFL draft last weekend, immediately making him the frontrunner to win a competition for the punting job over both Drew Butler and Tress Way.

In an interview with the Tribune this week, Golden offered up his assessment of O’Donnell’s NFL potential and the areas of his game that need improvement.

Q: Obviously Pat was very productive for you guys last season in the one season you had with him after he transferred in from Cincinnati. What stood out to you about what he brought to the table and in what ways did he grow as a punter while he was there?
AG: I think clearly his leg strength when he arrived was exceptional. His explosiveness. You could feel the ball leave his leg and really explode. I think the thing that was most impressive was his commitment to a process and the fact that he improved as a senior. Which is really hard to do when you’ve had the body of work that he had. Pat is very meticulous. Almost like a golfer who’d go to the range, he’s that kind of a grinder with his process and his technique. And as I said, the biggest thing that separates him is his ability and drive to improve and adhere to that process. Because his operation time improved. He didn’t lose any distance. He was near the top of the NCAA in distance. But what most people don’t know is that he made dramatic improvements in his operation time and then also in his plus-territory kicking, his pooch punts.

Q: When did you first become aware that he was looking to transfer for personal reasons? (O’Donnell said his father, who lives in south Florida, was diagnosed with cancer.)
AG: It was in the spring, after his spring semester (in 2013). We were in the market and we were alerted to the fact that Pat was looking. It was a perfect match right away. He wanted to come to graduate school here at the University of Miami. He’s from south Florida. And we were in the market for a punter.

Q: His athleticism is notable. He goes to the combine and bench presses 225 pounds 23 times. He’s a bigger guy. What stood out?
AG: He looks like a SAM linebacker. Honestly. And I think he garnered the respect of everybody in our organization with his ability to compete with everybody, not only in the weight room but in the conditioning. Which was phenomenal. For him to come from a different program and yet be able to do it from a conditioning standpoint was extraordinary.

Q: When you see that effort and the strength at the combine, it jumps off the page at everybody. What struck you about that from a punter?
AG: He’s an athlete, an overall athlete. He’s got length, he has strength, he’s explosive. And more than anything, I think it shows his unselfishness and his desire to be part of the team as a whole and not just stand alone. That’s unique.

Q: He comes to the NFL level and to a team in the Bears that prioritizes directional kicking. How much of that was he asked to do with you guys and what does he offer there.
AG: We did it a lot. And he’s very prepared for that. Again, I think his operation time and his plus-territory pooch punts were two areas where he really, really improved coming down the stretch of his senior year. He was always good at directional punting. And we did some of that. So I think he should have the whole toolbox and a really good foundation to grow from. And I’m glad he’ll have a chance to work with Robbie Gould as well. That, to me, is awesome.

Q: At this level, obviously, even as a specialist there will be some challenges and some eye-opening experiences. What are the biggest things Pat will need to polish up to strengthen his weaknesses.
AG: In terms of his overall operation, he’ll have to get sharper. And there are a lot more directional kicks at that level than there are here. So I think those two areas will be the ones he’ll need to improve most on.

Q: When you mention Robbie and being excited that Pat will be around him, as a coach what strikes you about that opportunity?
AG: Robbie’s a blue-collar, self-made professional. He’s a guy who took an arduous road to his success and he’s never forgotten that. He’s never forgotten where he’s from and he’s never forgotten his work ethic and the adversity he’s had to overcome to be where he is. I think that will give Pat great perspective. And I know Robbie can offer tremendous insight.


(chicagotribune.com)

Like any NFL draft hopeful, Pat O’Donnell has plenty of confidence in his ability to play pro football.

But when the phone rang?

“I was actually surprised,” he said.

The Chicago Bears were on the other line, making him one of several in-state players selected last week in the final four rounds. O’Donnell, a Hurricanes punter and former Palm Beach Central High standout, was taken in the sixth round with the 191st pick overall.

“I think there’s so much talent across the country,” he said, calling it a “huge honor” to hear his name called.


(flcourier.com)

The Bears Signed 6th Round proCane Draft Pick, Punter Pat O’Donnell to a 4-year deal estimated to be worth around 2.3 million dollars with a $105,000 signing bonus.

Additionally, O’Donnell was able to keep the same number he wore at the University of Miami, 16, with the Bears.

Three NFL proCanes were drafted this past weekend during the NFL Draft, while 11 other proCanes signed Free Agent Contracts.

3rd Round, 93rd pick overall: Brandon Linder, Jacksonville Jaguars.
6th Round, 191st pick overall: Pat O’Donnell, Chicago Bears
7th Round, 237th pick overall: Seantrel Henderson, Buffalo Bills

Free Agent Signings:

Stephen Morris, Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Hagens, Atlanta Falcons
Jared Wheeler, Carolina Panthers
Justin Renfrow, Arizona Cardinals
Shayon Green, Miami Dolphins
Jimmy Gaines, Buffalo Bills
AJ Highsmith, San Francisco 49ers
Curtis Porter, Oakland Raiders
Asante Cleveland, San Francisco 49ers
Erik Swoope, Indianapolis Colts

Bears selected Miami (FL) P Pat O'Donnell with the No. 191 overall pick in the NFL draft.

O'Donnell (6-foot-4 1/8, 220) spent one year with the Hurricanes after transferring from Cincinnati and set The U's single-season record for yards-per-punt average (47.1), also handling kickoffs and holding. 23 of O'Donnell's 53 senior-year punts went for 50-plus yards. A good athlete for the position, O'Donnell ran 4.64 at the Combine with a 30 1/2-inch vertical, which could come in handy on fakes. He'll immediately become the favorite for punting duties in Chicago, over Tress Way and Drew Butler.


(rotoworld.com)

The NFC scout said Pat O’Donnell, one of the top five punter prospects, “is better than some of the punters in the league now. What a weapon.”





(miamiherald.com)

Eighteen UM seniors auditioned, plus former Canes players Aldarius Johnson, Davon Johnson, Vaughn Telemaque and Dyron Dye (who was tossed off the UM team last season because of his connection to the NCAA investigation, landed at Bethune Cookman and then received permission to work out Thursday).
Ray-Ray Armstrong, now with the St. Louis Rams, attended Thursday to offer emotional support for Dye, his former teammate at UM and Sanford Seminole High.

Richard Gordon, Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle and Micanor Regis were among other former Canes observing.  




(hurricanesports.com)

The Dolphins will audition several UM players --- including offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, quarterback Stephen Morris, receiver Allen Hurns, d-tackle Curtis Porter and guard Brandon Linder --- next week. FIU defensive tackle Isame Faciane is among other local players invited to that Dolphins workout.

Ten of the players also have been invited to dinner with Dolphins position coaches the night before, including Henderson and UM tight end Asante Cleveland. Henderson, by the way, also has been invited to visit the Steelers and Vikings.


(miamiherald.com)

Miami punter Pat O'Donnell might not get drafted, but there's no question the guy is a good athlete.

O'Donnell, who was second nationally in punting with a 47.1-yard average, ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. One day earlier, he had 23 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press.

His 40 time tied the fastest by a kicker or punter since at least 2006; USC's David Buehler ran a 4.62 in 2009.

O'Donnell played one season at UM after transferring from Cincinnati. He also kicked off for the Hurricanes, with 37 touchbacks on his 79 kickoffs.

O'Donnell was second in the Big East in punting in 2012 at Cincinnati (41.8 yards per attempt), and 36 of his 75 kickoff attempts were touchbacks in '12.
His career punting average was 43.5 yards per attempt.


(nfl.com)

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami Hurricanes punter Pat O’Donnell was presented with the 2013 College Football Performance Awards Punter Trophy during Wednesday night’s men’s basketball game at the BankUnited Center.

CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith was on hand to present the trophy to O’Donnell, who earned the award with a school single-season record average of 47.1 yards-per-punt. O’Donnell, an All-ACC selection, punted 53 times, including 23 punts over 50 yards and 19 placed inside the 20-yard line.

O’Donnell was the second University of Miami player to earn CFPA honors, following 2010 Elite Wide Receiver Trophy winner Leonard Hankerson.

The purpose of the College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. Twenty-one CFPA recipients have been first-round NFL Draft selections.

A CFPA winner has been the first specialist selected in the NFL Draft in four of the last five seasons. The 2013 CFPA Punter Trophy is a 22-inch optic crystal tower with 8-inch crystal football on top.


(hurricanesports.com)

Five Miami Hurricanes have accepted invitations to participate at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine, while will be held Feb. 22-25 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The four-day combine will be televised live on NFL Network.

QB Stephen Morris, OG Brandon Linder, OT Seantrel Henderson, WR Allen Hurns and P Pat O'Donnell will be among the more than 300 prospects evaluated by all 32 NFL teams. Linder, Henderson and O’Donnell will work out on Feb. 22, while Morris and Hurns will work out Feb. 23.