Dolphins leadership was in full force at the Canes Pro Day — and they have some extra incentive to keep a few rookies in South Florida
“It’s nice if you have some guys that want to represent home.”
The Miami Dolphins had a strong showcase just up the road on Monday morning for their 2026 NFL Draft preparations.
The Miami Hurricanes hosted their annual Pro Day on Monday and Miami’s leadership duo of GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley were both reportedly present and accounted for. It was a good one to catch — the Canes are loaded fresh off an appearance in the 2025 College Football Playoff final. Hafley, thanks to four years at Boston College, knows a little something about the gravity of “home” for young athletes. And he did acknowledge briefly on Monday that it’s an extra cherry on top any time you can get a guy playing for his community. There’s no shortage of options for the Dolphins to choose from this spring from the Canes.
Jeff Hafley speaks briefly at the University of Miami Pro Day
“I think it’s nice if you have some guys that want to represent home and represent the city of Miami. But whoever fits, we’ll bring in and we’ll make them part of the city. And hopefully make those people proud.”
— Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley on the South Florida talent pipeline
The Dolphins have gotten a jump on some players who have roots in the area this offseason. Several free agents added got their prep start on the local high school scene. Wide receiver Tutu Atwell played his high school football for Northwestern HS. EDGE Josh Uche played for Columbus. Both have spoken since signing with the team about the value of returning ‘home’.
The Dolphins will have a chance to keep several other players ‘home’ after today’s Miami Pro Day. Defensive back Keionte Scott blazed a sub-4.4s 40-yard dash. Francis Mauigoa, a star right tackle, is a strong candidate for Miami’s first pick at No. 11 overall. Wide receiver C.J. Daniels played earlier in his career with new quarterback Malik Willis at Liberty.
The roots run deep. Hafley knows the value of representing home. And now he knows the players from ‘home’ even better thanks to his time at the Canes’ Pro Day showcase.