Two key Miami Hurricanes defenders recently tested the waters regarding an early jump to the NFL—linebacker Denzel Perryman and defensive end Anthony Chickillo.
Both players submitted paperwork to the NFL Draft Advisory Board and were waiting on results, which have since been received, all questions answered.
Perryman is expected to be a third-round pick, while Chickillo is said to fall somewhere between the fourth and fifth rounds. Because of that, the defensive end has pledged to return next season while Miami’s best linebacker continues weighing his options.
(Update: Per a University of Miami release on Friday morning, Perryman announced that he will officially return for his senior season, as will tight end Clive Walford and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano.)
The Hurricanes are coming off of another lackluster year defensively, especially late in the season.
Florida State unsurprisingly tagged Miami for 41 points and 517 total yards, but Virginia Tech and Duke? The Hokies and Blue Devils somehow combined for 90 points and 1,092 yards against the ‘Canes.
Even Virginia—a two-win ACC cellar-dweller this season—torched Miami for 483 yards in a loss the following week. All the more reason for two Hurricanes veterans to return—helping to bring some talent and leadership, while also upping their stock for the 2015 NFL draft.
The 6’0″, 240-pound Perryman led Miami with 108 tackles, including five for losses, and had 1.5 sacks with a forced fumble. Having become a first-time father mid-November, there was in-season speculation that a need to earn a paycheck would trump increasing his skills set as an amateur.
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