Genard Avery, Riley Ferguson and Anthony Miller are the standouts of the former Memphis players that declared for the 2018 NFL draft. All three players were invited to the 2018 NFL Combine and the trio was recently on display in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams at Memphis’ pro day.
The numbers do not lie
Ferguson only played two seasons as a Tiger and accumulated 7,955 yards and 70 total touchdowns. In his final Memphis season the quarterback was third in the NCAA in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He and Miller combined for the seventh best passing offense during the 2017 NCAA season.
Ferguson is talented on his own but part of his success at Memphis should be attributed to Miller's receiving skills. The receiver tied for the most receiving touchdowns at 18 and the third most receiving yards at 1,462. He is statistically the greatest Memphis receiver of all time. The Christian Brother High School graduate set Memphis records in career receiving yards at 3,590, single-season receiving yards at 1,462 and single-game receiving yards at 250. He also has the most receptions in Memphis football history at 238.
Avery also had an outstanding career at Memphis. He played 50 games over four years accumulating 232 total tackles and 21.5 sacks. He was top-25 in sacks during his senior campaign. The linebacker had his best season as a senior, garnering first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors with 80 tackles, 22 for loss (which ranked in the top ten of the Football Bowl Subdivision).
Avery and Ferguson both impressed in the 2018 NFL Combine (Miller did not participate due to injury), but Avery had the best performance.
The combine is vital for defensive players because scouts put a lot of emphasis on combine results. The combine showcases individual ability, not team play, which is great for defensive players. Whereas offensive players, especially quarterbacks, are primarily assessed through team play and statistics.
The former Memphis linebacker ran the seventh fastest 40-yard dash and vertical jump. He had the fourth most bench press reps, the fifth best broad jump and the sixth best time in the three-cone drill. His combine performance paired with his senior campaign have left NFL teams intrigued.
Avery recently showcased his talent on Tuesday, at the Memphis pro day. Miller and Ferguson also had a chance to display their abilities in front of scouts from 32 NFL teams.
Ferguson went through drills first and looked solid completing all of his passes until he missed his receiver on one of his final attempts. Miller looked like he fully recovered from his leg injury. The receiver was swift and purposeful in his drills and scouts crowded around the field to take notes. The scouts wanted to see his hands and Miller was up to the challenge catching nearly every ball thrown his way. Avery was also at his best. Scouts are interested in Avery’s quickness and he showcased his athleticism through speed and agility drills.
Draft Predictions
Riley Ferguson
The quarterback has been projected to go in the fifth or sixth round of the draft. Ferguson has the size and accuracy of an NFL quarterback. He drops back quickly and has a high pocket presence. Additionally, he throws a solid back shoulder fade and is able to run an effective play-action/bootleg offense. I project that the gunslinger will go in the fifth round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Anthony Miller
Miller is projected to go anywhere from the second to the sixth round of the draft. He has the agility and speed to play in the NFL. He cuts out of routes and creates a throwing window and is effective in all three levels of the field. Miller creates yardage after the catch and is physical for his size. I project that he will go in the third round to the Carolina Panthers.
Genard Avery
The Linebacker is projected to go in anywhere from the fifth round and up. Avery has the body and lower frame of an NFL linebacker. He is a solid pass rusher but he can also drop back and cover tight ends and slot receivers. Avery utilizes an assortment moves to get in the backfield, a skill not all pro-players have. I project that Avery will go in the fifth round to Baltimore Ravens.
Wide receiver Anthony Miller prepares to catch a pass during drills. Miller, quarterback Riley Ferguson and linebacker Genard Avery were the main players scouts came to see.
Former Tiger quarterback Riley Ferguson gets ready to throw a pass. The NFL prospect worked out for scouts at the University of Memphis Pro Day on Tuesday.
Former Memphis linebacker Genard Avery works out for scouts at the University of Memphis NFL Pro Day. Avery, quarterback Riley Ferguson and wide receiver Anthony Miller were the main players scouts came to see.
