Home » BREAKING: Dolphins announce contracts for 12 undrafted college free agents

BREAKING: Dolphins announce contracts for 12 undrafted college free agents

Spread the love

The Miami Dolphins have struck deals with 12 undrafted college free agents, as declared by the team on Friday. Among those joining the roster for this weekend’s minicamp are wide receiver Je’Quan Burton, safety Jordan Colbert, cornerback Storm Duck, quarterback Gavin Hardison, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, offensive lineman Matthew Jones, tackle Bayron Matos, offensive lineman Andrew Meyer, linebacker Grayson Murphy, defensive tackle Leonard Payne, safety Mark Perry, and tight end Hayden Rucci, adding to the seven draft picks.

WR Je’Quan Burton, Florida Atlantic

Burton participated in 34 games across the past three seasons and had discussions with the Denver Broncos before the draft. He maintained an average of 2.5 receptions per game and accumulated nine touchdowns over his collegiate career spanning three years. Additionally, he handled 10 or more kick returns in two out of his three seasons with the Owls.

S Jordan Colbert, Rhode Island

After completing his undergraduate degree at Columbia University, Colbert made the transition to Rhode Island, where he continued his football career as a graduate student. His senior season at Columbia earned him recognition as an All-Ivy League honorable mention at free safety. Throughout his tenure at Rhode Island, spanning two seasons and 21 games, Colbert showcased his skills. In the 2023 season, he started ten games, tallying an impressive 96 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

In early April, Colbert participated in a workout session for the New England Patriots during their local pro day.

CB Storm Duck, Louisville

Duck earned recognition as PFF’s 12th ranked cornerback leading into the 2022 season while playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Notably, PFF highlighted Duck as one of their significant projections after an impressive performance, logging 530 snaps as a true freshman.

Anthony Treash, a PFF college football analyst, commented on Duck’s potential, noting his standout performances despite limited playing time in the past two seasons, totaling just 436 snaps. Treash emphasized that if Duck remains fully healthy, he possesses the potential to become a star player.

 

During the previous season, Duck participated in 12 games, starting four, and concluded the year with 32 tackles and seven pass breakups. Miami has a track record of success with undrafted free-agent cornerbacks, exemplified by Nik Needham, who has played 61 games since 2019, and Kader Kohou, another undrafted free agent from 2022, who started 29 games over the last two seasons.

QB Gavin Hardison, UTEP

In 2023, Hardison kicked off the season with five starts before experiencing a setback—a UCL ligament injury in his right throwing elbow. Prior to his injury, the sixth-year quarterback showcased his talent, throwing for 947 yards and five touchdowns. Unfortunately, he required surgery to address the injury.

Throughout his collegiate career spanning 38 games, Hardison demonstrated his versatility with 40 touchdowns, though paired with 33 interceptions, and maintained an average of 7.5 yards per pass attempt. Notably, he made history as the first UTEP quarterback in over a decade to surpass the 3,000-yard mark in passing yards. Additionally, his performance in the 2021 season earned him honorable mention recognition in the All-Conference USA as a red-shirt sophomore.

CB Isaiah Johnson, Syracuse

Johnson made the transition to Syracuse in 2022 following his graduation from Dartmouth. As a senior, he showcased his leadership qualities by starting in every game and earning the title of team captain. Concluding the season on a high note, Johnson recorded 62 tackles, six pass breakups, and secured an interception.

Primarily playing cornerback during his college career, Johnson expressed his flexibility and willingness to adapt to different positions on the field. In a statement made in March, he emphasized his commitment to the team’s needs, whether it be at safety or cornerback, stating, “Whatever team sees me as a safety or a corner and if that’s what they want from me, then that’s what I’m willing to do. Like I said, I’m a football player. I just want to hit that field and play the game that I love.”

OL Matthew Jones, Ohio State

Jones made a significant impact during his time at Ohio State, starting in 24 out of 26 games between 2022 and 2023. Initially recognized as one of the top-ranked centers by 247 Sports during his high school career at Erasmus Hall High School in 2017, Jones demonstrated versatility by playing both right guard and center for the Buckeyes.

His stellar performances earned him Second-team all-Big Ten Conference honors in both 2022 and 2023, solidifying his reputation as a standout player within the conference.

DL Bayron Matos, South Florida

Matos entered the NFL through the NFL’s International Player Program, joining the Miami Dolphins. While he initially played a limited number of defensive and special teams snaps in 2022, Matos primarily focused on basketball. During his time on the court, he averaged 1.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, participating in 28 games with four starts.

Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Matos was a highly regarded three-star recruit during his high school years, garnering attention with 16 offers from various programs.

OL Andrew Meyer, UTEP

Meyer, the center for Hardison, received recognition as an All-Conference USA honorable mention in both 2020 and 2022. Over the span of five seasons with the Miners, he showcased his skills in 54 games.

Expressing his journey as an underdog throughout his life, Meyer shared his sentiments during his pro day on March 26. Despite feeling overlooked at times, he found excitement in the opportunity to prove himself to scouts and teams. Reflecting on this, Meyer stated, “My whole life I’ve been an underdog, so when they come out and get to see who I am, even during this process I feel like I’ve been overlooked. They saw that, ‘Maybe he can be a player.’ It was exciting to feel and see.”

LB Grayson Murphy, UCLA

 

Murphy stood out among draft-eligible defenders, leading the pack with an impressive 172 quarterback pressures, as reported by PFF. Prior to the draft, he had a visit with the Seattle Seahawks. NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein sees potential in Murphy, suggesting he could carve out a role as a rotational 3-4 rush linebacker, attributing his quick hands and athleticism.

During the previous season, Murphy showcased his skills in 13 games, earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. His performance included nine tackles for a loss and five sacks, further solidifying his standing as a promising prospect.

DT Leonard Payne, Colorado

A defensive stalwart, the player, who transferred from Fresno State, made a significant impact, starting seven games and contributing ten tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble during the previous season. Throughout his collegiate career spanning five seasons with the Bulldogs before transitioning to the Buffaloes, he participated in 28 games, starting nine of them.

S Mark Perry, TCU

Before the draft, Perry held meetings with several NFL teams including the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Dallas Cowboys, but ultimately made the decision to join the Miami Dolphins. During the previous season, he made a significant impact by starting in 12 games, tallying 58 tackles, four passes defended, and a forced fumble.

Reflecting on his time at TCU, Perry emphasized the value of hard work and determination in achieving success. In an interview with The Draft Network in February, he highlighted the underdog mentality that drove his team during the 2022 season, culminating in a surprise appearance in the National Championship game. Perry stressed the importance of perseverance, stating, “It wasn’t easy. We had to scratch and crawl for everything we wanted. We just took on that mentality. It started at the top. Ever since then, I’ve taken on that underdog approach. Hungry dogs run faster.”

TE Hayden Rucci, Wisconsin

Rucci wrapped up his final collegiate season with 11 catches totaling 125 yards, though he fell short of scoring a touchdown. His tenure with the Badgers spanned five seasons, including his redshirt year in 2019, during which he saw action in 35 games.

Hayden comes from a football pedigree; his father, Todd, previously played football at Penn State and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft.

Tags:

Previous Article
Next Article

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *