Miami Hurricanes' Spencer Adkins heading to Atlanta Falcons

Mable Adkins, the mother of University of Miami linebacker Spencer Adkins, was at the computer in her Naples home late Sunday afternoon when her cell phone rang. It was Ken Sarnoff, Spencer Adkins' agent.

'He said, `Are you ready to go to Atlanta?' '' Mable said. ' `The Falcons should be calling Spencer right now.' ''

Not only did Spencer Adkins' phone buzz a moment later, but all the phones in the house began chiming. The screaming of his mother, aunt and girlfriend added to the symphonic mayhem.

''It was so loud that I could barely hear,'' said Adkins after becoming the first and only Hurricane to be chosen in the 2009 NFL Draft -- the third player in the sixth round and 176th overall pick. ``I am really excited and feel fortunate to have this opportunity.

``It's all about hard work and dedication. I'm a good dude and good things happen to good people.''

The 14-year, first-round UM streak ended Saturday, but Adkins saved the streak of at least one Hurricane drafted every year since 1975.

''I was looking for my boy Bruce Johnson to be drafted but I hadn't seen his name pop up when I left Naples to go back to Miami,'' Adkins said. ``That would be horrible because he has a lot of talent. A lot of other UM players, too. It's crazy.''

Johnson, a cornerback projected to go late Sunday, was not drafted. He texted Adkins a congratulatory message after Adkins was selected.

''Everybody was pretty down,'' Johnson said while driving back to Miami from Orlando. ``I don't know what happened. It's just how it goes. But it ain't the end of the road.''

Sixteen Hurricanes were draft-eligible, and several of them -- including Johnson -- could sign contracts as free agents.

''We're very excited for Spencer and his family,'' UM head coach Randy Shannon said in a written statement. ``Spencer is a fine football player, and we wish him all the best in the NFL.''

Adkins, who played in the middle at UM and also was used as a rush end in third-down situations, said he visited four teams in recent weeks: the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and Atlanta.

Adkins was always one of the most physically imposing Hurricanes. At 5-11 and 238 pounds, he seemed as if he were chiseled from granite. He came out of Naples High as the No. 7 outside linebacker in the nation, according to rivals.com. But he started only five games in his four seasons -- as a junior -- and didn't play nearly as much as he wanted.

Last season, he finished with 17 tackles in 11 games, with six tackles for loss. But he had four sacks, tied for third on the team.

''We just prayed about it and put it in the Lord's hands,'' said his father, Lester. ``He has been real mature about everything.''

On May 15, a day before his 22nd birthday, Adkins will graduate from UM with a degree in sociology. Johnson also is expected to graduate.

''I feel just as good about that as being drafted,'' Adkins said. ``Degrees last forever. Football doesn't.''

(miamiherald.com)