By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson
We begin this week by introducing the first of a series of articles related to some of the great HBCU coaches prior to integration. The concept was originally broached to publisher Bobby Henry by former Dillard and Miami Jackson Coach, Joe Redmond. I was immediately fascinated by the idea because, like him, I am a product of that era – 50s & 60s. Black college football was replete with great coaches, players, pageantry and tradition. We begin with Big John Merritt and his impact on the game. We welcome your participation and contributions through questions and comments. I am especially appealing to JSU, TSU & HBCUS generally from that time frame, people like Dr. Malcom Black, a JSU grad.
Now that the NFL draft has been completed, let’s take a gander at NFL draftees from South Florida.
Perhaps most surprising is that many of these players were ranked lower than higher ranked players in the same class coming out of high school. Even more curious is the number of Miami Hurricanes not drafted. What does that tell you?
Drafted number 19 in the first round by the Buccaneers, Calijah Kancey, the Miami Northwestern stud, played collegiately for the Pittsburgh Panthers . Another first rounder, Zay Flowers of Boston College via University School in Davie, was selected 22nd by the Baltimore Ravens, giving Quarterback Lamar Jackson another explosive weapon.
UM cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, Miami Southridge, was chosen in the round 2, pick number 56, by the Chicago Bears.
Offensive lineman Tyler Steen – St. Thomas Aquinas and the University of Alabama – was selected in the third round, Pick 65, by the Philadelphia Eagles. Picked number 95 in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals, safety Jordan Battle also hails from St. Thomas and the Crimson Tide.
The Jacksonville Jaguars in Round 5, Pick 136, drafted LB Yasir Abdullah of Louisville (Carol City High School).
The Seattle Seahawks selected defensive end Mike Morris in Round 5, Pick 184. Mike is a product of Delray Beach American Heritage and the Michigan Wolverines.
Wide receiver A.T. Perry of Wake Forest and Park Vista Lake Worth was selected in Round 6, Pick 184, by the New Orleans Saints.
Finally, in round 7, three South Florida athletes were chosen, picks 231, 237, and 246 respectively by the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and Cincinnati Bengals : Defensive tackle Nesta Silvera from Plantation American Heritage and Arizona State University; RB Kenny McIntosh from University School Davie and Georgia; and CB DJ Ivey from South Dade High and the U.
The reality is that in the not too distant past UM alone had at least half that number drafted in the first two rounds. Boy , how things have changed. Look out for next week’s edition of NOTS. It will garner and generate deep thought and contemplation.
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