FIU Panthers Prowl

Johnathan Cyprien is a Jacksonville Jaguar

  

FIU's all-time leading tackler Johnathan Cyprien made history tonight when he became the highest drafted Panther into the NFL. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Cyprien with the first pick of the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Cyprien surpasses T.Y. Hilton as the highest ever drafted Panther into the NFL. Hilton was taken in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2012 NFL Draft.

With the Jaguars and Colts both in the AFC South Division, Cyprien and Hilton will face each other twice each season. FIU vs. FIU.

My Guess of Where Johnathan Cyprien is Drafted

     

FIU safety Johnathan Cyprien is in the top 10 of the best players available on most draft experts lists when the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft begins tonight at 6:30 p.m.

There were three safeties selected in the first round of the NFL Draft last night with Kenny Vaccaro, who went to the New Orleans Saints, the only safety clearly rated ahead of Cyprien.

Eric Reid, who was the second safety taken last night, was rated below Cyprien on most draft experts lists. Reid was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, one of several teams that showed interest in Cyprien. And then Matt Elam, who was rated both ahead and below of Cyprien, was the third safety taken in the first round. Elam was chosen by the world champion Baltimore Ravens with the last pick of the first round.

I don't think Cyprien will have to wait too long tonight to hear his name called by an NFL team because there are several teams choosing early in the second round who have a big need for a safety. Among those teams are the Jacksonville Jaguars (1st pick in 2nd round), Philadelphia Eagles (3rd pick), Cincinnati Bengals (5th pick), Arizona Cardinals (6th pick), Tennessee Titans (8th pick), Buffalo Bills (9th pick & 14th pick), Carolina Panthers (12th pick) and Dallas Cowboys (15th pick).

I don't see Cyprien lasting beyond the 15th pick of the second round because the two teams I think are most likely to take FIU's all-time leading tackler are in the top 15 of the second round: the Bengals and the Cowboys.

The Bengals currently have Nate Clements (34 years old) and Reggie Nelson (30) as their starting safeties, who are both good players but are getting up there in NFL age. The top backup safety for Cincinnati is Chris Crocker, who is 33. Plus, the Bengals go up against two pretty good quarterbacks four times each season in Baltimore's Joe Flacco and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger. Add to it that Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer personally came down to FIU earlier this week to workout Cyprien and you could see why Cyprien could be wearing tiger stripes on his helmet this fall.

However, I get a feeling Cyprien will be wearing a blue star on the side of his silver helmet this fall instead of tiger stripes. The Dallas Cowboys have a serious vacancy at safety right now. Gerald Sensabaugh, 30, and Barry Church, 25, who are nothing special, would be the Cowboys starting safeties if the season started today. Backups are Will Allen, 30, and Danny McCray, 25, who neither strike fear in quarterbacks or receivers. One could make an argument that teams may have passed on Cyprien in the first round because of the quality of competition FIU faces in conference. Obviously, the Sun Belt is no SEC, but the Cowboys already have proof that is not a factor when they look at their star defender DeMarcus Ware from Troy -- a former conference rival of FIU. Like the Bengals, the Cowboys also face some good quarterbacks in their division with the New York Giants' Eli Manning and Washington Redskins' Robert Griffin.

Last year I did not see the Indianapolis Colts trading into the late third round to draft T.Y. Hilton so take my guess for what it's worth. I had T.Y. going to the Atlanta Falcons as a slot receiver to complement Roddy White and Julio Jones.

I'll be at Cyprien's place tonight watching the draft with him and I'll have a story and blog about it later. You can also follow me on Twitter: @PetePelegrin for live updates from Cyp's place.

FIU/NFL Draft Story

Johnathan Cyprien hasn’t had much time of late to catch up with T.Y. Hilton. Since finishing his senior season last December, Cyprien, like several other FIU Panthers, has been on a whirlwind tour preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Cyprien, who became FIU’s all-time leading tackler last season, excelled at the Senior Bowl in January. During the week of Senior Bowl practice Cyprien was named Most Outstanding Defensive Back and then backed up the award with a solid performance in the game.

Cyprien then caught NFL scouts eyes at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February before producing another outstanding workout at FIU Pro Day in March.

On the heels of Cyprien’s tremendous off-season, the FIU safety was invited by a dozen NFL teams to visit their facilities and had private workouts for half a dozen NFL teams. Since January, Cyprien’s draft stock has skyrocketed on many projected NFL Draft boards and has been talked about by several NFL draft experts as being selected as high as the first round on Thursday night when the 2013 NFL Draft begins.

CLICK HERE to continue reading the story . . . .

More O-Line Help; Cyprien & Griffin To Work Out for Miami Dolphins

With a lack of depth on the FIU offensive line, defensive lineman Dieugot Joseph has been moved over to the offensive line. 

This morning was Joseph's first practice on the O-line and as expected it was not easy for him. After going forward most of his football career as a defensive lineman, Joseph is now being asked to move back and block. Joseph said one of the harder things to learn are all the offensive plays. 

Coach Ron Turner and offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler had been talking to Joseph for the last few weeks about the move. Turner pointed out Joseph's size of 6-6 and his athleticism as being big factors in the move as well as the Panthers needing help on the O-line. Turner said he has seen plenty of offensive tackles with Joseph's size and athleticism in college football and the NFL. Or as Turner said, "Look at him, he's built to be an offensive tackle." Although Shankweiler admitted Joseph is behind the other offensive linemen as far as reps and fundamentals, Shankweiler was impressed by how smart Joseph is.

Joseph has never played offensive line before, only on the defensive line. So both Joseph and the FIU coaches know this will take some time. However, with all the starting jobs on the offensive line up for grabs Joseph has been told if he works hard he can challenge for a starting job this year.

Linebacker Leroy Owens is back with the team after missing time for academic and personal reasons. Cornerback Derrick Jones is now working as a linebacker. 

Running back Jakhari Gore broke off a 55-yard run for a touchdown during team drills today. Gore started running left and then cut back to the right to outrun the FIU defense down the right sideline.

 

FUTURE DOLPHINS?

FIU safety Johnathan Cyprien and kicker Jack Griffin will both be working out for the Miami Dolphins in Davie on Wednesday. Cyprien has worked out for more than a dozen NFL teams and is projected to be one of the top safeties in the 2013 NFL Draft. Griffin, who holds most FIU kicking records, has gained strength this off-season and looks like a linebacker.

Tuesday's Spring Practice; Cyprien & Ellingson Updates

Back out at FIU Stadium on Tuesday morning for spring practice number 4 of 15. On Tuesday, there was more shuffling of the offensive line as coaches continue to find the right combination. Several players played different positions along the O-line. HERE is how the O-line looked on the first day of spring ball.

On Tuesday, these were the positions some of the linemen were playing: Delmar Taylor (left tackle and left guard), Yousif Khoury (right tackle, right guard), David Delsoin (right tackle, right guard), Aaron Nielsen (left tackle, right tackle) and Michael Montero got some work at center after Donald Senat. This being March 26 -- a little more than five months from the season opener at Maryland -- the position switches really don't mean much. Right now the coaches are trying to figure out what position each lineman plays best.

Running hard behind that line today was running back Lamarq Caldwell, who coach Ron Turner praised on the Joe Rose Show this morning. Caldwell had a pair of runs where he made a sharp cut back and gained extra yardage on his own. On another run to the left, Caldwell, despite being a sophomore, showed some veteran savvy switching the football from his right to his left hand to avoid the defenders trying to strip the ball.

FIU Spring Football Preview; Barnes to Jets; FIU Home Court?

Recently, I had the chance to sit down with FIU coach Ron Turner to talk about his expectations for spring football. CLICK HERE to read what he had to say.

All spring practices are open to the public, beginning with the first practice on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. You can check for updates throughout spring practices on Twitter: @PetePelegrin and then look for spring football stories on FIUSports.com.

 

BARNES TAKES OFF TO JETS

FIU all-time sacks leader Antwan Barnes will play in the Meadowlands this fall after signing with the New York Jets on Monday. As a division foe of the Dolphins, the Jets and Barnes will play in Miami every fall.

 

FIU HOME BASKETBALL COURT?

FIU basketball coach Richard Pitino (@CoachPitinoFIU) tweeted this photo of a possible re-design of the FIU home court. He wants to know what you think. I like it. It is certainly a different look and would make FIU's home court stand out.

FIU Pro Day 2013

A plethora of NFL scouts and some front office personnel descended on FIU Stadium on Thursday afternoon to watch FIU Pro Day featuring several Panthers that could be working on Sundays this fall at an NFL stadium nearby.

All 32 NFL teams were represented, some with multiple scouts, including six Miami Dolphins scouts and general manager Jeff Ireland. Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter and Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall also were in attendance.

You kind of had an idea whom most scouts were here to see when the NFL folks gathered around FIU safety Johnathan Cyprien throughout the weight room portion of pro day. And later on how several scouts pulled Tourek Williams aside to ask him to play coverage in pass defense. Upon one Dolphins scout's arrival, he immediately asked me where Williams was. FOX Sports also was at FIU Pro Day. CLICK HERE for a story.

The times and numbers in this blog are from what some of the scouts I spoke to gave me. The majority of the scouts on Thursday did not want to talk about their numbers, but some spoke about the FIU players on the condition of anonymity. I will have photos of Pro Day on Friday right here.

Cyprien Top Performer at NFL Combine, No. 4 Safety by SI; FIU Soccer vs. FTL Strikers

Johnathan Cyprien recorded a 38.5 inch vertical jump on the final day of the NFL Combine. The jump helped the FIU safety receive a “Top Performer” mark.

Due to tweaking a hamstring, the vertical jump was the lone event Cyprien (No. 7 above) participated in at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Sports Illustrated ranks Cyprien as the No. 4 safety in the 2013 NFL Draft after the just completed Combine. CLICK HERE.

Defensive end Tourek Williams participated in four events with the defensive linemen on Monday, where he largely finished among the top 20 at the position, which includes both tackles and ends.

Here's what Tourek (No. 97 above) did: 

 -- 4.92 in the 40-yard dash tied for 19^th overall and was the 15^th fastest time recorded for defensive linemen.

-- 25 bench press repetitions of 225 pounds tied for 22^nd, while the 25 repetitions represented the ninth-most recorded.

-- 33.0 in the vertical jump tied for the 11^th best overall, while the figure was actually the seventh-highest jump.

-- 112.0 in the broad jump tied for the 19^th overall, and was actually the 11^th longest jump recorded.

 

FIU SOCCER VS. FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS

The FIU men's soccer team will play an exhibition match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, March 7 at the FIU Soccer Field. 

Catching Up with Antwan Barnes

As the first-ever FIU football player to be drafted into the NFL, Antwan Barnes helped blaze a trail into the highest level of football for future FIU football players. Recently, Barnes -- known during his playing days at FIU as "El Monstruo" for his ability to terrorize quarterbacks -- returned to FIU along with the two other Panthers, Anthony Gaitor and T.Y. Hilton, currently in the NFL. I had a chance to catch up with Barnes, who had his jersey retired by Norland High last week.

PP: FIU recently signed two defensive players, linebacker Treyvon Williams and defensive lineman Akheem Barton, from your high school alma mater, Norland. Have you had a chance to speak with Williams and Barton?

AB: Yeah, I talked to both of them last week on National Signing Day. I was back at Norland because they retired my jersey and I had a chance to meet them. I told them that they are coming to FIU for a purpose. To be student-athletes, great football players and to represent the blue and gold.

PP: Were you surprised by Norland retiring your No. 42 jersey? I believe it was just the third jersey that Norland has retired.

AB: The school had talked to me before about retiring the jersey. I was truly honored that they did that. The school showed me appreciation and anything they need I'm there for them. Last year, I bought the football team new uniforms and cleats.

PP: After a career year in 2011 with 11.5 sacks, you dealt with a hamstring injury last season. How is the hamstring feeling and how are you approaching this off-season where you are an NFL free agent?

AB: The hamstring is good. It feels a lot better. When the NFL free agency period opens in March I'll start finding out where I will play next season. I like to keep my options open. 

PP: You know the Dolphins sure could use a pass rusher opposite Cameron Wake. You would probably be very comfortable in aqua and orange?

AB: [Laughs] I'll see how this off-season plays out. If I come to Miami I would like to do something special for the fans and play my hardest for them.

PP: You played for FIU coach Ron Turner's brother, Norv, in San Diego. Will you be coming down to FIU for NFL Pro Day in March?

AB: Yes, I plan on meeting Ron Turner. I want to get to know him and what his plans are for FIU. I'll be there for Pro Day.

PP: What are your thoughts on FIU safety Johnathan Cyprien and how he will fare in the NFL?

AB: Cyp is a big guy. I knew he was going to the NFL since his sophomore year at FIU. You could tell he was a defensive playmaker. Cyp is a big body safety that can cover the field in passing situations and he can come down and stop the run as well. He is the total package that NFL front office people and coaches are looking for in a safety.

PP: With Cyp and possibly Tourek Williams, Caylin Hauptmann and Jack Griffin going to the NFL next season, there could be several more Panthers joining you in the league. Do you stay in close contact with Gaitor and T.Y.?

AB: Yeah, we talk all the time and if they ask me for advice on anything in the NFL I help them out. We got three Panthers in the league right now, but we have more FIU guys on the way into the NFL.

New FIU Football Tight Ends Coach; FIU Football Alums in NFL Return

Morgan Turner has been hired as FIU's new tight ends coach. Turner was at Stanford last season as an offensive assistant. Morgan is the son of FIU coach Ron Turner and the brother of FIU quarterbacks/receivers coach Cameron Turner. CLICK HERE

FIU FOOTBALL ALUMS IN THE NFL

At the FIU basketball game last night, FIU football alums in the NFL returned to watch the Panthers clobber Florida Atlantic. (Left to right) T.Y. Hilton, about-to-be-NFL-player Johnathan Cyprien, Anthony Gaitor and Antwan Barnes joined plenty of other FIU football alums -- among those in attendance, another part of the FIU Killer B's defense from 2006 that was No. 1 in the nation in tackles for loss -- linebacker Alexander Bostic, who is now a preacher in Atlanta.

I'll have more on the Panthers basketball win over the Owls and photos from the Dazzlers "Cowgirl" halftime show on here later today.