According to Hill's facebook page:

"I don't know all the details exactly but what I do know is that yahoo sports is usually always dead on it. If it it's true what they are reporting about Al golden, the university of miami should fire him where he stands. To think that this was a guy who hurricanes could put trust in to restore our program to what it once was, after he just dismissed a great player an leader in Ray Ray Armstrong now it seems he is just as guilty as that young man. I can only hope that there is some false accusations against him, but like I said if this is to be found true, the university has a big decision to make. " HOW CAN WE AS A UNIVERSITY, ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY EXPECT OUR YOUNG MEN TO DEVELOP INTO MATURE, HONEST YOUNG STUDENT ATHLETES WHO ARE HELD AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY IF THE HEAD OF OUR ORGANIZATION IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE??? "

The Patriots worked out five defensive backs on Thursday, the team announced.

Among the workouts were two Baylor cornerbacks from the 2011 draft class. Mikail Baker (6-0, 200) was selected by the Rams in the seventh round, while Antareis Bryan (6-2, 190) signed as an undrafted free agent and spent training camp with the Bears.

In addition, the team worked out rookie cornerback Ryan Hill (5-11, 207), an undrafted product of Miami who spent training camp in Minnesota.

Safeties Dominque Harris (6-2, 213) and Ricky Price (6-1, 195) were also worked out, and both have NFL experience. Harris, from Temple, went undrafted in 2010, signing with the Bills and later playing in the regular season finale for the Buccaneers. Price played in nine games for the Chiefs in 2009-2010, after going undrafted from Oklahoma State.

All of the workouts were likely made with the 2012 season in mind, as teams may sign players to future contracts for next season at this time. Last week, the Patriots signed quarterback Mike Hartline, who will join the team for the offseason.

Likewise, any of the defensive backs who worked out, if signed to a future contracts, would add depth heading into the offseason. Cornerbacks Nate Jones and Antwaun Molden, as well as safety James Ihedigbo are all set to become unrestricted free agents in March.


(espn.com)

The Philadelphia Eagles cut rookie running back Graig Cooper. The Eagles are deep at the running back position, so look for Cooper to sign as a free agent with another team, he looked quite good this pre-season. The Eagles also cut WR Sinorice Moss. Moss had another great training camp, but was a victim of a deep crop of WRs. Moss has the talent and has shown it when given the opportunity and when healthy. WRs go down due to injury quite often, look for a team to pick him up.

The Miami Dolphins cut TE Dedrick Epps. Epps was cut last year as well but eventually made the Dolphins practice squad. Look for him to latch onto the practice squad again considering how thin the Dolphins are at the TE position.

WR Darnell Jenkins was cut by the New England Patriots. Most scouts seem to think he will find a spot on someone’s roster.

S Jared Campbell, brother of Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell was cut by the Cardinals. Campbell played well in limited action in the preseason. He may be able to make a practice squad.

The New England Patriots, in a surprise move, cut safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather who has been to two consecutive Pro Bowls reportedly freelanced too much in the Patriot backfield and was underperforming. It’s not clear as to whether it was also money issue, but Meriweather is definitely still an elite talent at safety in the NFL. Look for teams thin at that position like the Dolphins and Chiefs to go after Meriweather.

Baraka Atkins LB/DE who had been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason was cut as well. Atkins was one of the final cuts of the Denver Broncos last year after spending the beginning of his career with the Seahawks.

10-year veteran DL Damione Lewis was cut by the Houston Texans. Lewis was a late addition to the Texans squad last year and played very well both last year and this preseason. What didn’t help Lewis this year was the fact that the Texans changed to a 3-4 defense and Lewis is much better suite as a DL in the 4-3.

Brett Romberg who was a surprise signing by the Atlanta Falcons only a couple of days ago, after not playing at all during the 2010 season, was cut by the Falcons as concerns over their starting center’s health subsided. Don’t be surprised to see Romberg get signed if the Falcons sustain an injury there.

Running back Damien Berry was cut by the Ravens. Berry was slowed by an ankle injury that he suffered in the first game of the pre season, and as a result didn’t play until the fourth game. Berry has NFL skills. BERRY WAS SIGNED TO THE RAVENS PRACTICE SQUAD.

LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden was drafted by the Ravens to eventually replace Ray Lewis at the MLB position, but injuries have really slowed his career. Gooden, if healthy, can start for most NFL teams, but this pre season was no different as he continued to deal with injuries. THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SIGNED GOODEN TO A 1-YEAR DEAL.

Rookie defensive back Ryan Hill was waived by the Minnessota Vikings. Hill didn’t play a lot this pre season but when he did, like in the final pre season game for the Vikings, he performed well leading the team in tackles. The Vikings had Hill listed as a safety. He has the size and speed to play both corner and safety which gives him the type of versatility a lot of teams look for.

Javarris James, RB who led the Indianapolis Colts last year in rushing touchdowns after playing only about half the season was cut by the Colts.

Second-year defensive lineman Dwayne Hendricks who was on the NY Giants practice squad last year and was called up and played in a regular season game last year for the Giants was cut. Giants did have a very good pre-season. THE GIANTS SIGNED HENDRICKS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie DB Corey Nelms was cut by the 49ers. Nelms was a surprise free agent signing and did get playing time in the preseason. THE 49ERS SIGNED NELMS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie Fullback Patrick Hill was cut by the Tennessee Titans. Hill didn’t get any carries in the preseason for the Titans.

proCane rookie undrafted free agents cornerbacks Ryan Hill and Corey Nelms will sign today contracts. Ryan Hill will sign with the Minnesota Vikings while Corey Nelms will sign the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, fullback Patrick Hill will sign will join fellow proCane rookie Colin McCarthy at the Tennessee Titans.

When we talk to former Canes football players, it’s clear how much they care. That’s why Bryant McKinnie waited awhile to talk to Art Kehoe this spring, simply to offer mentoring to the offensive linemen. That’s why Bennie Blades sought out Ray-Ray Armstrong to challenge him “to be the next Jim Thorpe.”

That’s why 150 ex-Canes — at Al Golden’s urging — came to the spring game; why Ed Reed speaks often with Vaughn Telemaque; why Vince Wilfork makes himself available to Marcus Forston, and on and on.

But caring also means identifying problems that need to change. Ryan Hill, who cares deeply, is willing to do that.

After playing in the Sun Bowl (his final game at UM), Hill raised eyebrows by saying, “We have a lot of guys … that act like little boys.” The cornerback, who went undrafted, elaborated recently. He said he has been back to campus since leaving and that Golden still has work to do to get things right.

“When I made that comment,” he said, “what I meant is some guys are really immature.”

How many? More than a dozen, Hill said.

“In my early years at UM, there were guys who were freshmen who acted like adults — Jon Beason, Teraz McCray, Greg Olsen,” Hill said. “When I was a senior last year, some sophomores and juniors acted like freshmen. Guys would do silly stuff like pulling their pants down, wearing crazy stuff.

“Guys would come late to meetings. They would schedule appointments and not show up or listen to iPods in class. I was always told by academic advisors to talk to [teammates]. Some kids got worse after they got here. People were purposely doing stuff to mock Randy Shannon or do their own thing.

“Coach Shannon tried to make sure guys went to class and presented themselves well. But as soon as he turned his back, they would do what they wanted. There are a lot of guys who didn’t produce, and how they act off the field has a lot to do with it. That has to change.”
The low point was the Sun Bowl.

“I don’t want to name names, but there were a couple of receivers having a snowball fight on the sideline when we’re down 21-0,” Hill said. “ Brandon Harris and I got upset. We were already upset because we’re losing, and now we’ve got to go over and break up a fight. These guys have to grow up. I hope Coach Golden is instilling that. Without growing up, you will never be successful.”

Hill said some players who weren’t atop the depth chart stopped working hard — something that must change. “There were always guys pouting, because they’re not playing as much as they want,” Hill said. “That’s Pop Warner stuff. You can’t have that.”

That brought us to another topic: marijuana. Several players reportedly will be suspended for a game for using marijuana, though Golden has not confirmed that. Hill isn’t surprised.

“Coach Shannon put fear in guys not to do pot during the season. But I know there were a couple guys that beat the system,” Hill said. “Nobody got caught. Now coach Golden has a problem on his hands, and he has to figure out how to handle it. I’m sure there are guys still using, though there’s no way to know for sure. You have to have a zero tolerance rule, make an example out of somebody. It’s a problem across the country.”

He said UM tests randomly for drugs once a week — “I might have gotten tested once every three weeks” — and the NCAA tests once a year.
Hill doesn’t want Golden to be burdened with the same immaturity issues that hurt Shannon’s team. “Coach Golden is doing everything he’s supposed to,” Hill said. “But football is where he will be judged.”

Golden doesn’t want to discuss marijuana. But speaking in general, he said, “When there’s transition, there are kids that rebel.”

• Guard Brandon Washington said this spring that one problem last season that must change is that “you’ve got guys walking around talking about what they did in high school, what they did in Optimist ball. It’s like: ‘OK, you did that in high school. Do that now. We need you now.’ ”


(miamiherald.com)

Miami had the second highest total of draftees nationally with eight, second in the ACC only to North Carolina (9).

• While eight was among the best totals in the 2011 NFL draft, UM has had eight or more players drafted on five occasions since 2000 and 14 times in the program’s history. The eight draftees ranks ninth in UM history.

• Cornerback Brandon Harris will have a bevy of familiar faces in Houston where former Canes Andre Johnson, Eric Winston, Chris Myers, Rashad Butler, Damione Lewis and Darryl Sharpton are on the current roster.

• UM has had 26 first-round picks since 2000. The next highest total is 17 by Ohio State. UM has 75 total draft picks since 2000, which is third during that time span and barely trails Ohio State (78).

• Former Canes CB Ryan Hill, RB Graig Cooper and RB Damien Berry all appeared on mock drafts and seem likely to be signed if/when free agency is lifted from the NFL lockout.



(espn.com)

Ryan Hill, CB, Miami
Hill has been almost entirely overlooked this offseason, somehow failing to generate invitations to the East-West game, the Senior Bowl or the combine, despite having played well in 2010 opposite potential first-round pick Brandon Harris. Hill replaced DeMarcus Van Dyke in the lineup last season, starting 11 of 13 games, but it was the speedster Van Dyke who got the nod for both the Senior Bowl and the combine. A former receiver with the Hurricanes, Hill switched to defense in 2008 and lost his 2009 season to a shoulder injury. He has very limited experience at cornerback, but solid NFL size at 5-11, 202 pounds, with enough speed (mid-4.5s) and range to entice a team into giving him time to develop his technique and coverage skills.



(cnnsi.com)

 



(sun-sentinel.com)

Russ Lande and his team of War Room scouts presents a scouting profile on Miami CB Ryan Hill:
NFL position: CB
Height: 5-10 7/8
Weight: 203
40 time: 4.54

Current projection: Third-round pick

Strengths: Has good size and arm length for the next level. Is an excellent athlete with the speed, range and quickness to develop. Shows outstanding press man-to-man coverage ability. Is a physical, aggressive run defender and tackler. Has a physical jam with the recovery speed to play in the receiver's pocket downfield. Does a good job of re-routing the receiver and has good closing ability on plays in front of him in zone or man coverage. Has soft hands and excellent ball skills to make interceptions.

Weaknesses: Has only two years of playing experience as a defensive back at the college level. Has a bow-legged frame with questionable durability, given his 2009 shoulder injury. Shows some choppy transition skills in man-to-man and zone coverage. Is not an effective blitzer off the edge.

Bottom line: Hill was a first-year starter at left cornerback for the Hurricanes in 2010. A shoulder injury cost him the 2009 season, and he received a medical redshirt. Hill served as a part-time starter at safety in 2008 after making the switch from wideout. He is an excellent athlete with the speed, quickness and range to earn playing time early on defense as a pro, with the potential to develop into a starter by his second NFL campaign. He has a lot of physical and athletic potential to continue to develop in the NFL. Look for him to go in the third round due to his physical and athletic qualities.



(sportingnews.com)

Agent Drew Rosenhaus joined me on the show Thursday and the subject of the Randy Shannon era at Coral Gables with the University of Miami came up:

Drew, one of of the great stories I like is that one of your clients who only started a couple of games for the University of Miami last year, DeMarcus Van Dyke. We had a draft expert on earlier who said that he might be able to sneak into round 2 of the draft. That's unbelievable if that's true, Drew: "I think it is, Joe. My sense is that this is rare speed. This the fastest player who has been timed from the University of Miami, which historically has been one of the fastest schools. He plays a pivotal position, where speed really is the No. 1 denominator, and the guy's got game-breaking speed. And he's a great kid. ... Here's my take on it. When you run a 4.28[-second 40-yard dash], there's not many guys in the entire NFL that can do that. You're talking about Chris Johnson-type speed. And, at that cornerback position, that means he can run with any receiver in the game. So, this is going to be great for him. His good friend, Sam Shields, also has indirectly helped. Sam, he didn't play a whole lot, either, and he came into the NFL and played at a very, very high level."

How do we read into that, Drew? "Well, I think it's probably one of the reasons that they have made an adjustment with the coaching staff. I guess they felt that, you know, the talent didn't translate with respect to the wins and losses. But it's very easy to hand pick a couple guys, and I'm not going to."

No, no. I'm not asking you trash Randy Shannon. I gotcha: "No one's perfect and you do make mistakes, but, at the end of the day, DeMarcus Van Dyke not starting for the University of Miami this year, playing behind another player who wasn't even invited to the combine, I don't understand that. I really don't."



(wqam.com)

Recently HSN got a chance to catch up with former cane defensive back Ryan Hill. Ryan Hill was one of the few players that played for both Larry Coker and Randy Shannon. Hill dedicated himself to the Hurricanes as he switched positions throughout his career. Ryan played receiver, corner, and safety and never complained once. Right now Ryan is getting ready for the NFL draft. Here is what he had to say.

HSN: What have you been up to since you finished your senior season at Miami? How have you been getting ready for the draft?
Ryan Hill: I’m here in Boca Raton getting ready for my Pro Day right now. I’m working on everything I can to get myself better and ready for the NFL. Everyday I’m lifting, running, and doing drills to improve my skills.

HSN: Were you upset that you weren’t invited to the NFL combine?
Ryan Hill: To tell you the truth, yes. It hurts that I wasn’t given an opportunity to show my skills at the NFL combine, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. I use it as a form of motivation to prove to the world what kind of player I really am.

HSN: What do you think went wrong with the team this past season?
Ryan Hill: It was a combination of a lot of things. I can’t really explain, players and coaches just weren’t seeing eye to eye anymore. There was definetly a conflict of interest on the team.

HSN: You made some comments after the bowl game that some of the players on the team needed to “stop acting like boys, and grow up and act their age.” What did you mean by this statement?
Ryan Hill: Let me put it this way. There were some guys on the team that weren’t acting their age. Some of the guys on the team needed to grow up and become men. I know guys that are 21-22 years old that have families and jobs and they support them by themselves. I’ll tell you a little story to explain to you what I mean. We were at the bowl game in El Paso and were losing 21 to 0. There were players on the sidelines throwing snowballs at each other. Thats what I’m talking about when I say that the team had maturity issues.

HSN: While all of this was going on with the snowballs were there any seniors that went over to those players who were goofing off to confront them?
Ryan Hill: At the time this was happening I was on the field playing defense. I heard later on about what happened on the sideline. The seniors and coaches can only do so much. There comes a point where everyone has to take responsibility for their own actions and it just wasn’t happening.

HSN: I know your from Tallahassee,but you chose the Hurricanes over the hometown Seminoles. Did you receive a lot of heat from back home when you chose Miami?
Ryan Hill: I get asked this question all the time because I’m from Tallahassee. It was very difficult. What it really came down to was that Miami was just in my heart. It was the right fit for me at the end.

HSN: If you had to make your decision all over again after all the turmoil that has gone down with the program would you have still chosen Miami?
Ryan Hill: I would choose Miami 1000 times over. What people don’t realize is that its not all about winning National Championships. Yeah its great to do that, and that was always my goal but it’s more than just getting a ring. When you win a National Championship you get a ring and a pat on the back and that’s all. Maybe I shouldn’t say this but I will. I’ve seen a lot of old players that went to Miami and who won championships come back to visit and they are broke with no money. These guys were good players, but they didn’t make it to the NFL and they are broke now. The University of Miami is about the overall experience. I became a man at the University of Miami. When I came there I was a hothead kid from Tallahassee that had been arrested 2 or 3 times. Coach Coker and Coach Shannon taught me how to become a man and be respectful towards others and remain humble. Many people don’t know I left there with a Masters Degree. Now if things don’t work out for me in football I still have a chance to be successful in life and take care of my family. That is the reason I would choose Miami again without a doubt.

HSN: What was your most memorable moment on the field for the Hurricanes?
Ryan Hill: It would have to be my sophmore season against Oklahoma. I scored my first touchdown in that game.

HSN: Have you met the new coaching staff? What are your thoughts on Al Golden as the new head coach?
Ryan Hill: I have not met the new coaching staff, but I am optimistic that they will do well. The main thing they have to do is change the culture of the program.

HSN: Can you tell the fans a player to watch out for next season that they may have never heard about?
Ryan Hill: Watch out for Kacy Rodgers.That kid is a hard worker and his father is a coach for the Miami Dolphins so he knows what it takes to become a player. Laron Byrd is another guy that has really worked hard over his career. This will be his senior season so hopefully all that hardwork will pay off. Travis Benjamin also has the potential to do some really big things. He got down on himself a lot last year, but thats just a part of college football he should be able to bounce back.

HSN: Did you get motivated watching your ex teammate Sam Shields become a Superbowl Champion for the Green Bay Packers after not even getting drafted out of Miami?
Ryan Hill: Sam is my bestfriend I’m actually going to see him tomorrow. Watching Sam do good just motivates me to get into the league and do the same. I know now that I can get drafted and make things happen in the NFL.

HSN: Do you plan on coming back and working out in Coral Gables again like many of the Canes alumni do?
Ryan Hill: Right now I’m just so busy I don’t really have time to do anything except train and get ready for the draft. I don’t really know for sure if or when I will be able to come back and visit with the team etc.

HSN: Tell me a funny story about your time at the U?
Ryan Hill: Well I’m from the country so I was known as the “wildlife guy” on the team. I like to fish and hunt and collect all kinds of animals and stuff so one time I was walking around campus and I caught a water moccasin. I ended up putting it in a bottle and taking it home. When I got home I skinned it, cleaned it and ended up cooking it for Jacory Harris, Stephen Wesley, and Dedrick Epps. I didn’t tell those guys what they were eating and they were like “this stuff tastes like chicken what is this?” When I told them they were eating a water moccasin everyone started cracking up.

HSN: Thanks for your time Ryan and good luck in the NFL.



(hurricanesportsnation.com)