NFL Draft History Lesson: Miami RedHawks (2017-2021)

The Miami RedHawks are one of many authentic members of the Mid-American Convention, and have had a presence in school soccer for tons of of years. The Cradle of Coaches has graduated many a nice skilled prospect to the assorted professional leagues of the world in that point.

This season noticed the retirement of maybe probably the most well-known of these NFL Draft choices from Miami in 18-year veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who led the RedHawks to glory as MAC Offensive Participant of the Yr within the 2003 season, together with an end-of-season #10 rating within the Related Press High 25 ballot.

The RedHawks’ pedigree within the NFL goes again to 1945, with the choice of again Jim Dougherty to the Philadelphia Eagles within the thirtieth spherical. Their glory years when it comes to drafted choices got here from 1953 to 1957, the place that they had at the least three choices in each draft performed, with 16 whole choices in that point. Taking the whole lot of the 1950’s to account, the RedHawks noticed 25 alumni within the skilled ranks.

1963 can be the excessive water mark of RedHawk draft success, with 5 gamers from the Miami squad chosen to play within the league. Since that point, solely two drafts have seen greater than three choices from Oxford.

We verify in with the prospects who have been drafted inside the final 5 seasons:

PK Sam Sloman

Drafted: 2020, seventh spherical, 249th general, Los Angeles Rams

It’s already been a reasonably curious NFL profession for one of many MAC’s most traditionally correct kickers.

Sloman was unstoppable within the collegiate ranks, ending his profession going 49-of-62 (79 p.c) on discipline targets and 112-of-115 (97 p.c) on discipline targets. His senior season was his breakout yr, nailing an unbelievable 86 p.c of his kicks, together with 11-of-14 from 40+ yards and an much more unbelievable 4-of-5 from 50+ yards out en path to a MAC title in 2019.

Initially drafted by the Los Angeles Rams within the seventh spherical by fellow Miami soccer alum Sean McVay, Sloman signed a four-year, $3.37 million contract earlier than even enjoying a down in Royal Blue and Sol. He would go 8-of-11 on discipline targets in his stint in LA earlier than his stunning launch in Oct. 2020 after seven video games attributable to a collection of foibles on additional factors, the place he was 18-of-21.

It will take Sloman simply over a month to discover a new dwelling, going to the Tennessee Titans apply squad in Nov. 2020. Sloman was referred to as up on Week 17 in a good spot for the Titans, who wanted a win to clinch the division— and a playoff spot. He delivered in spades, going 2-of-2 on additional factors and hitting his lone discipline aim try from 37 yards out in walk-off vogue.

He’s presently on a future/reserve contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers after spending the 2021 season on their apply squad.

OT Tommy Doyle

Drafted: 2019, fifth spherical, 161st general, Buffalo Payments

Tommy Doyle was a reliable a part of a tricky Miami offensive line over 4 seasons for the RedHawks, along with his efficiency and potential in the end paving the way in which for him to get drafted within the NFL.

A two-time first-team all-MAC deal with, Doyle has spent all three of his skilled years in Buffalo as a rotational depth choice, with 11 recreation appearances in 2021. Doyle has additionally been used as an alternate tight finish on trick formations, with a landing catch vs. the New England Patriots within the first spherical of final season’s NFL playoffs.