CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Although no official times were handed out during the Miami Hurricanes annual pro day, the thunderous applause that followed wide receiver Phillip Dorsett's blazing 40-yard dash gave credence to his unofficial 4.26 time.
Dorsett, who won $100,000 from Adidas for running one of the three fastest 40 times during the NFL combine in February, has already established himself as one of the fastest players in the entire NFL draft, but nevertheless decided to show off his talents one last time.
"It's my competitive spirit, just coming out here and doing everything," said Dorsett, who ran a 4.33 at the combine. "I know everybody wants to see it. Everybody likes to see a guy fly and compete and do everything. I made up my mind right after the combine that I was doing to do everything at pro day even though I had a good combine."
"A lot of people told me don't run, just do position drills," Dorsett added. "I knew I could do better."
Dorsett, 22, finished his career at UM with 121 receptions for 2,132 yards and 17 touchdowns in 45 games. As of right now, the Fort Lauderdale native is currently projected as a late second-round pick, but could climb the rankings in the coming weeks.
Dorsett, however, isn't worried about his fluid draft stock.
"That doesn't matter to me," said Dorsett, wearing a shirt with the appropriate tagline "speed rich" written in bold across the chest. "I just want to go play football. That's my thing; I love football. Whatever happens happens."
With representatives from all 32 NFL teams on hand, Dorsett was just one of the many top-tier talents showcased at Miami's Greentree Practice Fields on a balmy afternoon in Coral Gables.
Of the 15 players that participated in Wednesday's Pro Day, several are projected to be selected in the first three rounds of the draft.
Clive Walford, who may very well be the first tight end off the board on draft day, chose to only run position drills, but was still very pleased with how he performed in front of a throng of NFL scouts and coaches.
"It was fun. I knew all the teams were going to be here so I wanted to show them what I was capable of doing," said Walford, who was a third-team All American last season.
As for his confidence heading into the draft, Walford believes that attributes beyond his imposing size and exceptional athleticism should make him the top tight end in this year's class.
"You can't measure heart," said Walford, 23. "If they don't see it, that's on them."
Denzel Perryman, currently projected as a third-round pick, was unable to participate in the shuttle, three-cone drill and position drills after sustaining a hamstring injury on his second 40-yard dash attempt. Still, the 21-year-old linebacker did 30 reps of 225 pounds and clocked an unofficial 4.67 in the 40.
The highlight of Perryman's day, however, may have been a conversation he had with former Hurricanes linebacker and 10-year NFL veteran Jonathan Vilma.
"I talked to him a lot, a lot of trash talk," said Perryman, who recorded 170 tackles in four years at UM. "I told him that if the Saints pick me I was going to take his number and do better than he did.
"He gave me a little advice about the next level and how to just keep preparing for it."
Duke Johnson, who is currently projected as an early third-round pick in a running back-heavy draft class, ran an unofficial 4.67 40-yard dash, did 18 reps of 225 pounds and looked very sharp during position drills.
"I think game speed is more important," Johnson said of his 40 time. "If you run a 4.20 or 4.30 but you don't play it, then it really doesn't make a difference."
At 5-foot-9, 207 pounds, Johnson's small stature will likely have many teams questioning his value heading into the draft. However, the Miami native believes that his game and ability to create mismatches will translate successfully to the NFL.
"At the end of the day, I'm good at it. I'm good at what I do," said Johnson, 21, who finished his career at UM as the school's all-time leader in rushing and all-purpose yards. "I've been training for a while to make sure that I come out here and put on a show."
You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.
