Small-school prospect shines at Miami Pro Day

As I began reading about the University of Miami's Pro Day tonight, never did I think I would become most intrigued with a player from Bethune-Cookman. But with the Hurricanes' best players sitting out most or all of the drills, Bethune-Cookman's Ryan Davis was allowed to shine in front of the scouts in attendance.

The small-school prospect, who finished the season with 12 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss from his defensive end position, measured 6-2 1/2 and 259 pounds. His vertical jump was a respectable 35 inches, with a 40 time just over 4.8-seconds. Davis looked much faster in linebacker drills and displayed athleticism moving in open space.

Dominating the opposition in 2011, Davis was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the FCS National Defensive Performer of the Year. In addition to the 12 sacks and 21.5 tackles in the backfield, he also forced eight fumbles and recorded a safety.

During a game against Miami last October, Davis felt he proved he could hang with the big boys, as he sacked quarterback Jacory Harris once and gave the Hurricanes' offensive linemen something to worry about throughout the contest. He wasn't invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he's making a name for himself now, and he'll have another opportunity to showcase his skills for scouts at Bethune-Cookman's Pro Day on March 30.

“Ryan has an excellent first-two steps, he is very athletic, and is very smart football player who does a great job against the run.” Bethune-Cookman defensive line coach Earl Lane said in an article written on Davis back in November. Lane was formerly with LSU, where he coached standouts such as Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson, both of whom were top-five picks in the NFL draft.

Lane also mentioned the following about Davis:

"His best attributes are his athleticism and his power at the point of attack. He has the ability to become a drop linebacker, and can cover backs out the backfield as well as the slot receiver. He can do it all as a defensive end.

“Ryan practices every day as if it is a game. He is all over the place, doesn’t take plays off, and believes in making everyone better.

“He has a very good motor. I know one thing: the offense doesn’t always like the way Ryan practices, because he makes it very difficult.”

San Diego Chargers fans are all about getting a pass-rusher early in this April's draft. With a dearth of quarterback hunters on the team, however, it may be a good idea for San Diego general manager A.J. Smith to select two pass-rushers. As of right now, Davis is considered a third-day prospect, so he'll probably go somewhere between the fourth and seventh rounds. He said he's heard from the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Since it's doubtful many have seen him play, I found a highlight video of Davis on YouTube:

He'll certainly be on my mind when the third day of the draft begins.