Looking back at Miami Hurricanes draftees of past five years

Even with its decorated history, the University of Miami football program has recently gone through a rough stretch when it comes to the NFL Draft.

After setting a record of 14 straight drafts with a first-round pick, no Hurricane has been selected that high since 2008 when the Giants took defensive back Kenny Phillips 31st overall.

As of last season, UM had the most players active in the NFL of any university in the nation with 44, including guys on practice squads and injured reserved. Heading into the upcoming draft, Miami has had at least one NFL pick each year since 1975.

Defensive back Brandon McGee and running back Mike James were the only UM players chosen last year, marking the program's lowest number of selections since 2009.

Of course, that's what happens when three guys leave school early the previous season and the current team consists of mostly underclassmen.

This year's NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday, includes three intriguing UM prospects:

1) Quarterback Stephen Morris has a powerful arm but struggles with his decision-making.

2) Offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson failed to live up to astronomical expectations at the college level and his character has been called into question.

3) Wide receiver Allen Hurns set program marks as a senior, but his lack of size and top speed means he won't be selected in the first few rounds.

With the clock ticking toward the start of the 2014 draft, here is a look at how the Hurricanes selected in the last five NFL drafts have fared:

2013

Brandon McGee, DB (Fifth round, 149th overall, Rams): McGee played in 15 games as a reserve, recording 14 tackles. He collected a season-high five in a 42-21 win over the Bears in Week 12. He sustained various injuries (thigh, hip, foot) as a rookie.

Mike James, RB (Sixth round, 189th overall, Buccaneers): After carrying the ball just once for five yards over the first four weeks of the season, James ran 59 times for 290 yards (4.9 average) in the next five games. He started the last three before breaking his left ankle.

2012

Olivier Vernon, DE (Third round, 72nd overall, Dolphins): Vernon was one of three Hurricanes to leave after his junior year from this draft class. His rookie season included 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks with a recovered blocked punt in the end zone and a blocked field goal. Last season, he started 14 of 16 games. He finished with 57 tackles and 11.5 sacks (tied for seventh in the NFL), but none over the final three games.

Sean Spence, LB (Third round, 86th overall, Steelers): Spence sustained a major knee injury at the end of the 2012 postseason and has yet to appear in a game since. Nerve damage was involved. An attempt to return to the active roster last year failed after spending three months on the PUP list. He will compete for a job in training camp.

Lamar Miller, RB (Fourth round, 97th overall, Dolphins): Miller did not return for his senior year and served as Reggie Bush's backup in 2012. He ran 51 times for 250 yards (4.9 average) with a touchdown that came in Week 2. As the featured back last season, he rushed 177 times for 709 yards (4.0 average) with just two touchdowns and 44.3 yards per game in 16 contests (15 starts). Miami's ground game ranked 26th out of 32 teams.

Travis Benjamin, WR (Fourth round, 100th overall, Browns): Benjamin caught 18 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. He also returned a punt a franchise-long 93 yards for a score. Last year, he recorded five receptions over eight games (three starts) for 105 yards before tearing his ACL. He had run back a punt 79 yards for a touchdown and run the ball once for another 45.

Tommy Streeter, WR (Sixth round, 198th overall, Ravens): Streeter elected to forego his senior year. He was placed on injured reserve because of a foot injury his rookie season. Last August, Baltimore waived him. The Bills signed him as a member of their practice squad a week later. Tampa Bay offered him a reserve/future contract in January.

Brandon Washington, OG (Sixth round, 200th overall, Eagles): Washington was part of the team's final cuts of the 2012 preseason and never played a down for Philadelphia. That December, he signed a two-year deal with the Rams. Washington was waived in October 2013 but joined the practice squad. He played his only NFL game in Week 17.

2011

Orlando Franklin, OT (Second round, 46th overall, Broncos): After starting 39 of 51 games in college, Franklin has done even better as a professional by starting every game (47) he has played over the past three seasons. He recently tweeted his move from right tackle to left guard to protect Peyton Manning with the departure of Zane Beadles.

Brandon Harris, DB (Second round, 60th overall, Texans): Harris experienced a career year in 2013, playing in all 16 games and recording 20 tackles with four passes defended. He has still not intercepted a pass in three seasons. He appeared in 15 games combined 2011-12 with 17 total tackles. He sustained a concussion in 2012 and took time to recover.

Leonard Hankerson, WR (Third round, 79th overall, Redskins): Injuries have derailed Hankerson, who set UM program records for receptions (72) and touchdowns (13) as a senior. He made his NFL debut in Week 7 and started two games later before his season was cut short after sustaining a subluxation of his right hip and a torn labrum. In 2012, he played in all 16 games and caught 38 passes for 543 yards and three touchdowns. He went on injured reserve Nov. 21, 2013 after tearing his left LCL in Week 11 following 30 catches, 375 yards and another three scores.

DeMarcus Van Dyke, DB (Third round, 81st overall, Raiders): Used sparingly his rookie season, he recorded 10 tackles, four passes defended and an interception for the league's fourth-worst defense. Oakland released him Sept. 3, 2012, and he signed with the Steelers four days later. He recorded four tackles over 11 games the past two years. Twice he was waived. He signed a reserve/future contract with Kansas City in January.

Allen Bailey, DE (Third round, 86th overall, Chiefs): Teams found him intriguing coming out of college because of his raw athleticism. Over three seasons, Bailey has shown improvement despite just two sacks and 45 tackles in 41 games. In his second year, he sustained a season-ending ankle injury. During Week 17 of the 2013 season, he recorded a career-high nine tackles. Prior to last year, he had just one start. He made three in 2013.

Colin McCarthy, LB (Fourth round, 109th overall, Titans): McCarthy was voted AFC Defensive Player of the Week during his rookie season when he recorded nine tackles, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles in a game. He played in 13 games his first year, tallying a career-high 68 tackles. McCarthy battled injuries in 2012 but did score on a 49-yard interception return. Last year, he was limited to a reserve/special teams role, recording 55 tackles, forcing a fumble and intercepting a pass.

Richard Gordon, TE (Sixth round, 181st overall, Raiders): In two seasons with Oakland, he appeared in 27 games and caught three passes for 11 yards. He did not play in 2013 with the Steelers after the organization signed him before joining the Chiefs. He made a catch for three yards over two games and will compete for a spot after re-signing in February.

Matt Bosher, K (Sixth round, 192nd overall, Falcons): Bosher earned All-ACC honors as a punter and a kicker his senior year at Miami, but serves as a punter and kickoff specialist in Atlanta. Last season, he ranked sixth with a 41.1-yard net average per punt. Over 198 career punts and 261 kickoffs, none have been returned for a touchdown.

2010

Jimmy Graham, TE (Third round, 95th overall, Saints): With just one year of collegiate football experience, Graham has developed into one of the league's premier tight ends. He is a two-time Pro Bowler (2011, 2013) with 301 career receptions, 3,863 yards and 41 touchdowns. During his rookie season as a backup, he still managed five scores. Over the past three seasons he has averaged 90 catches, 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns as one of Drew Brees' primary targets.

Darryl Sharpton, LB (Fourth round, 102nd overall, Texans): As a rookie, Sharpton tallied 34 tackles in 12 games. His playing time and numbers decreased over the next two seasons (15 total games, 40 tackles, an interception). He started eight of 15 games last year, recording a team-high 87 tackles and forcing a fumble. He signed a one-year deal with the Redskins over the offseason.

Jason Fox, OT (Fourth round, 128th overall, Lions): Fox played in four games as a rookie, but was inactive for the first eight games of 2011 before being placed on injured reserve. He entered just one game in 2012 yet earned the starting right-tackle job last year. He started three of eight games. The Dolphins signed him to a one-year deal in early April.

Dedrick Epps, TE (Seventh round, 235th overall, Chargers): Epps bounced around five teams' practice squads over three years. He played three games with Miami in 2010 and another three with the Jets in 2012, catching his only pass for nine yards in Week 4. His second stint in New York on Oct. 1, 2012 was also his last.

2009

Spencer Adkins, LB (Sixth round, 156th overall, Falcons): His turn in the NFL didn't get off to a good start when his contract was disapproved because of "language oversight" relating to incentives. He last played in 2011. Over three seasons, he saw action in 15 games (one start) and tallied 12 tackles. He recently signed with the Giants.

You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.