ESPN ran a piece today called “College footbal’s top workout warriors” and writer Bruce Feldman ranked the Miami Hurricanes’ defensive tackle Allen Bailey second on his top ten list. Check it:
2. Allen Bailey, Miami, DT: On a wall inside the UM football offices are the team bests for each exercise by position. When you get to defensive linemen, almost all you see is one Bailey head shot after another. Some UM fans have taken to calling him “Freakzilla,” thanks in part to his awesome athleticism but also to his Bunyanesque background that has created some legendary tales. Such as how he once killed an alligator with a shovel.
Bailey, who last season battled through a torn pectoral muscle while making the transition from linebacker to defensive line, had nine tackles for loss and five sacks. Now that he’s healthy and more comfortable playing at defensive tackle, expectations around Coral Gables, Fla., are soaring. Some inside the program think the junior will restart Miami’s streak of first-round draft picks. Lord knows he should test well at the NFL combine next year.
This spring, Bailey vertical jumped 39 inches despite weighing 288 pounds. He ran a 4.65 40 time. He power-cleaned 375. Longtime UM strength coach Andreu Swasey, who has trained the likes of Willis McGahee, Kellen Winslow II, Sean Taylor and others, gives Bailey perhaps the ultimate praise: “He is the freakiest of all the freaks since I’ve been here,” Swasey says. “When he got here, he weighed 270, and I told the coaches, ‘He’s going to be 300, but it’ll be a 300 like you’ve never seen before.'”
Bruce also did a Q&A on ESPN.com today and was asked about how realistic the Canes’ shot at an ACC title was in 2009:
Kush (Miami FL): Hey Bruce, loved your book Meat Market. People keep sleeping on the Hurricanes this year. With the talent they have and the addition of a proven OC in Mark Whipple, can you see them making a realistic push for an ACC title this year?
Bruce Feldman: Thanks.. I do think they have a realistic shot at the ACC title. I was down at UM last week. Andreu Swasey (their strength coach) says it feels a lot like it did 7-8 years ago when you had all of these explosive athletes ready to take off. I like QB Jacory Harris a lot and Whipple should be a great fit with him. The challenge will be surviving a brutal first four games. If they go 3-1 somehow, they’ll crack the top 15. Even 2-2 and being competitive with OU would be a good sign.