Colin McCarthy shows his fire, skill at Miami pro day

Linebacker is the position where the fire of so many great defenses burn. Mike Singletary in Chicago. Ray Lewis in Baltimore. Ray Nitschke in Green Bay. Colin McCarthy has a long way to go before he earns comparisons to any of those players, but he certainly has the DNA for the position.

The Miami linebacker was one of 15 players who worked out at the Hurricanes’ rescheduled pro day on Friday, putting his competitive nature on display for an audience heavy on NFL personnel.

The pro day was completed after rain and lightning halted the original date on March 10. There were 31 teams at Friday’s proceedings, including Pittsburgh Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert. The event was held outdoors on grass.

McCarthy (6-1 3/8, 237) had a very strong workout, showing quick feet and instincts in his positional drills. He was obviously engaged, jumping back to the line, looking to repeat drills, and generally showing a high level of intensity. Like many of his teammates, he stood on all of the results from his combine workout in Indianapolis.

McCarthy helped himself, and figures to go somewhere near the end of the second or top of the third round of the NFL Draft in April.

Another Hurricanes player who increased his standing was defensive back DeMarcus Van Dyke. He also kept his combine numbers, and gave a strong showing in positional workouts. Van Dyke’s combine 40 times of 4.25 and 4.28 proved he has the speed to transition to the next level, and his Miami workout provided a great stage for his quickness.

Size may be the defensive back’s biggest issue. Standing 6-0 3/4 and 176 pounds, Van Dyke has a thin build that could use some filling out.
Some other notable attendees in South Florida:

Allen Bailey, DL/DE – Bailey (6-3, 285) gave a strong positional workout and stood on his combine in every category but weight. The scale read 275 in Miami.

Damien Berry, RB – Berry (5-10 1/4, 207) posted 40 times of 4.63 and 4.64. He kept his combine numbers otherwise. He also had a positional workout.

Matt Bosher, PK – Bosher (6-1, 208) went through a positional workout and kept all his combine figures.

Craig Cooper, RB – Cooper (5-10 1/8, 196) ran a 4.75 in his first 40 run, then requested two more, posting back-to-back times of 4.66. He posted a 32 1/2 vertical and a 4.71 short shuttle during the abbreviated March 10 workout.

Orlando Franklin, OL – Franklin (6-5 1/2, 319) had a 30-inch vertical jump on March 10. On Friday, he posted a 8-9 broad jump, 8.37 three-cone drill, and went through a positional workout.

Leonard Hankerson, WR – Hankerson (6-2, 209) stood on all of his combine numbers, but performed well in positional workouts.

Brandon Harris, CB – Harris (5-9 1/2, 194) posted a 34 1/2 vertical and stood on his combine numbers otherwise. He was strong in positional workouts, and is in line to be drafted near the bottom of the first or top of the second round.



(nfl.com)