proCanes have pipeline to NFL

Negative headlines have hovered over the University of Miami football program lately but more former Hurricanes are currently on NFL rosters than any other school. The pipeline continues, Buffalo Bills receiver Roscoe Parrish said, because of the players' loyalty to the program.

"We show our face, we talk to the young guys, teach them the ropes and let them know what to do," said Parrish, one of 42 former 'Canes playing in the league.

Nine Miami players were selected in the 2011 NFL draft including tackle Orlando Franklin (Denver), cornerbacks Brandon Harris (Houston) and DeMarcus Van Dyke (Oakland), receiver Leonard Hankerson (Washington) and defensive end Allen Bailey (Kansas City), all of whom went in the first three rounds.

"When we go back, they come up to us and ask questions, or we'll see them around," Parrish said. "We tell them, 'Good game,' if we see them on TV or go to the practices. If we see them doing wrong we try and correct them. By seeing us work out, seeing our dedication and commitment and just going in there during the offseason every day motivates them. They see that we're in the NFL and they say, 'Wow, those guys work and they don't really have to be here.' That's a good look for them to see that."

Parrish said the former 'Canes return to work out with Andreu Swasey, the program's strength and conditioning coach for the last 11 years.

"We know what he's capable of doing because of the success we had with his strength and conditioning program we just continue to go back," Parrish said.

When Parrish played at Miami from 2001-04, guys like Clinton Portis and Reggie Wayne returned often to help mold the next crop.

"When you see those guys come back it made you say, 'I want to be there,'" Parrish said. "It gave you motivation. They'd come back and pull up in their cars. The stories they would tell us about the league you would hear about it all the time. It was a good thing. When you come back and show the younger guys they realize everything else will take care of itself."


(buffalonews.com)