Miles, Howard, Johnson hope to hear name called in 2019 NFL Draft

boxtorow.com

While everyone is talking about the measurables of Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, Morgan State offensive tackle Joshua Miles has been making a name for himself in post season camps and at the NFL Scouting Combine taking place in Indianapolis.

Talk about a player that has the measurables. 6’5″. 314 pounds. In 2018, went under the radar. Despite his size and only allowing one sack all season, he was only a third team All-MEAC selection.

But he has not gone under the radar with NFL teams. All 32 teams at some point saw him in 2018, whether at practice or in a game. And during the East-West Shrine game – where he was the first Morgan player to ever participate – he played the entire third quarter and a few series into the fourth.

On Friday, Miles impressed at the combine, outperforming all offensive linemen in the vertical jump with height of 36.0, which is tops since that record has been kept. His 40-time was 5.32, broad jump was 9’08,” three-cone was 8.07 and his 20-yard shuttle was 4.75. He hopes to improve upon those times at his pro day on March 26.

There are a few players currently in the NFL who Miles played against in college that are having success and were recently drafted. Three-time BOXTOROW All-American and former North Carolina A&T star offensive tackle Brandon Parker was drafted in the third round by the Raiders last year and became a starter five games into the season. Two-time BOXTOROW Willie Davis Defensive Player of the Year and South Carolina State star linebacker Darius Leonard was drafted in the second round by the Colts and named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and led the league in tackles. Three-time BOXTOROW All-American and North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Bears and has made the Pro Bowl in each of his two seasons. Then there is the veteran Javon Hargrave, also a two-time BOXTOROW Willie Davis Defensive Player of the Year, who was drafted in the third round by the Steelers in 2016 and has been a starter for the Steelers, essentially from day one at nose tackle and had a career high 6.5 sacks in 2018.

The thing Miles has in common with all three aside from playing in the MEAC is that all three were also combine participants. Coming into the Combine, Miles’ evaluation considered him an NFL backup.

A couple of other former HBCU players are participating in the combine. Coming into the combine, Alabama State offensive lineman Tytus Howard was reviewed as a player that has a chance to become and NFL starter according to his review by analyst Lance Zierlein. Howard participated in the Senior Bowl. Like Miles, he’s a big tackle, listed at 6’5″, 322. Howard is a great athlete and in 2013 played quarterback at Monroe County High School and stood at 6’3″, 215 pounds. He is listed as the 15th best tackle in the draft by Draftscout.com. He is being projected as high as a first or second rounder.

He certainly didn’t do anything to hurt his chances of being drafted high, running a 5.05 in the 40, attaining 29.5 in the vertical jump, bench pressing 225 pounds 21 times, jumping 8.58 in the broad jump, running the three-cone drill in 8.34 seconds and running the 20-yard shuttle in 4.87 seconds. His pro day is March 8.

Update: Howard’s pro day at Alabama State on March 8 was less about him and more about allowing his teammates and players from Tuskegee to show what they could do in front of NFL scouts. He only participated in offensive linemen drills and stood by his solid numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine. He could be a first round pick; most projections have him going in the second round. Alabama State 6-3 safety Kurron Ramsey did well “… with testing and drills,” according to head coach Donald Hill-Eley. Ramsey measured in at 6’3″, 213 pounds, ran the 40 between in 4.53 and registered 10.25′ in the broad jump.

Former North Carolina A&T defensive end and reigning BOXTOROW Willie Davis defensive player of the Year Darryl Johnson did something that most small school and HBCU players don’t do. He declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season. Johnson didn’t participate in any post season games and perhaps has the longer shot to make it.

But Johnson’s production was undeniable, improving every year at A&T, culminating with a 2018 that saw him register 10.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and 50 tackles (51 solo). He also has some things you can’t teach lick size (6’6″, 253) and added 13 pounds of muscle prior to the combine. He only participated at one event at the combine and benched press 225 pounds, 20 times.

Update: Johnson had his pro day on March 8 and reportedly registered a 32.5 vertical jump, a 9’ 4’’ broad jump, and pressed 225 pounds, 20 times equaling his bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine.