Latest news with #Restrepo
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cam Ward Reveals One Player He Pushed Titans to Sign
Once the 2025 NFL Draft ended, former Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo was one of the top undrafted free agents. The Tennessee Titans were quick to add him and reunite the wide receiver with No. 1 pick Cam Ward. The two played together at Miami last year and quickly built a great rapport. However, Restrepo's lack of athletic upside made him difficult to draft. He's just 5-foot-10 and ran a 4.83 40-yard dash at his pro day. Advertisement Now, he blamed the slow time on a tweaked hamstring, but there were already concerns about his athleticism. One person who had his back through the entire draft process was Ward. Tennessee Titans QB Cam Roberts-Imagn Images The quarterback revealed that he lobbying the Titans to add Restrepo, and that's what they ended up doing. 'I did push for him,' Ward said of Restrepo at a recent press conference. 'Every team that I visited with, I pushed for him. He's one of the best route runners in college football last year. First-team all-conference. He's an All-American. He's never lost in man coverage. … Why wouldn't we push for him?' As a fifth-year senior, Restrepo caught 69 passes for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns with Ward throwing him the ball. Even the year before Ward got there, he had 85 catches for 1,092 yards. Advertisement Restrepo's numbers at a big program like Miami would usually lead to getting drafted, but there are concerns about whether his skill set will translate to the NFL level. Luckily for him, he now gets a chance to play with a quarterback who truly believes in his ability. Related: Titans Make Major Roster Announcement Amid Rookie Minicamp Related: PFF Urges Titans to Sign Former Chiefs Super Bowl Champion CB
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee Titans' Cam Ward lobbied for receiver Xavier Restrepo
Tennessee Titans' Cam Ward lobbied for receiver Xavier Restrepo The Tennessee Titans held their rookie minicamp over the weekend, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward, the team's first overall selection, took center stage. By all accounts, Ward has been everything the team expected when selecting him. From the start of camp, he appeared comfortable and in charge with multiple new teammates and outlets pointing out his leadership. To no one's surprise, that infectious attitude carried over into every part of the organization, even undrafted rookie signings. While meeting with reporters on Saturday, Ward was asked about undrafted rookie Xavier Restrepo and whether or not he helped persuade the Titans to sign his go-to receiver from Miami. 'I did push for him,' replied Ward. 'Every team that I visited with, I pushed for him. He's one of the best route runners in college football last year. First-team all-conference. He's an All-American. He's never lost in man coverage. … Why wouldn't we push for him?' The Titans followed through and signed the receiver, and from reports, Restrepo came to complete. The undrafted rookie took the lead in many drills and looked polished and poised throughout the weekend. Many were surprised when Restrepo was dropped from the 2025 NFL draft. The 5-foot-10, 196-pound receiver consistently produced at the college level but was criticized for lacking elite measurables during the pre-draft process. His pedestrian 4.83 40-yard dash at the Miami Pro Day tanked his stock, even though his on-field tape showed innate traits and route skills that should have made him an attractive target and easy evaluation for scouts. The league's loss is now the Titans' gain, as they hope they uncovered a gem in Ward's favorite target from 2024. Restrepo produced at a high level with Ward at the helm, leading the ACC in receiving yards (1,127) and touchdowns (11), and now will bring this pre-existing chemistry to Nashville. So far, that chemistry appears to be intact.
NBC Sports
28-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
WR Xavier Restrepo set to join Cam Ward on Titans
Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo caught a lot of passes from quarterback Cam Ward at the University of Miami, but his production for the Hurricanes wasn't enough to convince a team to draft him. Restrepo's consolation is that he will get a chance to show he's capable of playing in the NFL while continuing to catch passes from Ward. Restrepo agreed to sign with the Titans as an undrafted free agent a few days after the Titans made Ward the first overall pick in the draft. Restrepo caught 69 passes for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and was named an All-American. He finished his collegiate career as Miami's career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. A poor 40 time at the Combine hurt Restrepo's chances of being drafted and he'll face an uphill climb to stick with the Titans through the cut to 53 players, but he'll be able to use his relationship with Ward to his advantage as he tries to defy the odds.
Miami Herald
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Xavier Restrepo goes undrafted, but reunites with Cam Ward after signing with Titans
Xavier Restrepo owns the Miami Hurricanes' career record book for wide receivers and looks the part of a prototypical slot receiver. But despite his track record of success at the collegiate level, his draft stock took a hit after a poor showing in the 40-yard dash during Miami's Pro Day in March — to the point where he went undrafted but probably ended up in the best-case scenario in that situation. The Tennessee Titans are signing Restrepo as an undrafted free agent, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, reuniting him with quarterback Cam Ward, who the Titans selected with the first overall pick. Restrepo set the UM career records for receptions (200) and receiving yards (2,844) and was fourth all-time in school history in receiving touchdowns (21). Restrepo, a Coconut Creek native, is also the only player in Hurricanes history to have multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He finished his senior season with 69 catches for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to being named a first-team All-American by the America Football Coaches Association and second-team All-American by Sporting News, the Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America. One year earlier, he set the single-season school record with 85 catches while also logging 1,092 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, Restrepo ran an unofficial 4.83 seconds in his 40-yard dash during UM's Pro Day, a surprisingly slow time for a wide receiver, after not taking part in the event at the NFL combine a couple weeks earlier. Restrepo said in a post on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account that his right hamstring tightened up during warmups before running the 40-yard dash, which 'prohibited me to opening up and running my fastest.' He went on to say that he had been consistently running between 4.53 and 4.58 seconds for two weeks before Pro Day 'and thought I could still pull it off.' 'I did everything just because it's in my blood to compete,' Restrepo said in the post. 'With that being said, I am now focusing on getting back to 100% healthy and getting ready to play football! Ready to let God take over!' draft analyst Lance Zierlein describes Restrepo as a 'feisty slot-only target who has maximized his talent and honed his craft.' 'Restrepo is a route chef who reeks of urgency and plays much faster than the stopwatch is likely to time him,' Zierlein continued. 'His footwork, leverage and burst allowed consistent separation from man coverage on the college level but contested catches await him on the next level. His instincts, blitz recognition and talent to scramble open when plays break down will make him a favorite of quarterbacks and play-callers. Subpar length and average measurables could create some hesitation for NFL evaluators but the play and football demeanor feel translatable as a future starting slot.'
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
10 potential undrafted free agents the Eagles could target after the 2025 NFL draft
10 potential undrafted free agents the Eagles could target after the 2025 NFL draft With the seventh round coming to a close, here are ten potential undrafted prospects the Philadelphia Eagles could look to sign. The Eagles have made all their picks: — Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) April 26, 2025 The Eagles-related portion of the draft is over after Howie Roseman added versatility and firepower on both sides of the football. Philadelphia always takes an urgent look at the undrafted free agent pool of prospects, and 2025 will be no different. Reed Blankenship is the latest undrafted player to succeed, and this draft class offers a ton of potential that wasn't selected. Gabe Hall is among the players we predicted would land in Eagles training camp. With the seventh round coming to a close, here are ten potential undrafted prospects the Philadelphia Eagles could look to sign. Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa A native of Ohio, Lachey enjoyed a 'breakout' season as a redshirt sophomore in 2022 when he recorded 28 receptions for 398 yards and four touchdowns. The following season, Lachey suffered a season-ending injury after three games. In the full two games he played that season, Lachey recorded 10 receptions for 131 yards. This past season, Lachey recorded 28 receptions for 231 yards. Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami His pro day performance, which included 40-yard dash times in the 4.8-5.1 range, raised some concerns about his draft stock, although he still possesses elite skills as a slot receiver. Roseman and 31 other GMs will have to weigh his slow 40-yard dash time against his production from last season, when he hauled in 69 receptions for 1,127 yards (16.3 yards per catch average). Restrepo lacks deep speed, but could have a Cooper Kupp-like impact in the slot, and he's elusive in the open field and hard to bring down. Restrepo was a consensus All-American in 2024 when he rewrote the Hurricanes' record books. He finished his career with 200 catches for 2,844 yards and 21 touchdowns. Jared Ivey, DE, Ole Miss The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Ivey totaled 125 tackles, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and 16 sacks in three seasons with the Rebels. Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas What he lacks in size, Bryant more than makes up for with his aggressive play on the outside at the cornerback position. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon Johnson uses his speed to stack cornerbacks out of press or overtake off-man coverage. Logan Brown, OL, Kansas The 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackle spent four seasons at Wisconsin from 2019-2022. After redshirting his freshman season, he appeared in 26 games, including three starts, for the Badgers before entering the transfer portal in November 2022. Brown logged 13 total appearances at Kansas over two years before deciding to go pro. LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse Allen is a Millville, New Jersey, native. The versatile running back posted 2,085 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns over his final two seasons at Syracuse. Joshua Gray, OL, Oregon State Last season, Gray p;ayed in and started all 12 games and ended his career with an Oregon State-record 56 career games Jah Joyner, Edge, Minnesota Ricky White, WR, UNLV White has been one of the top receivers in the nation over the past two seasons at UNLV after transferring from Michigan State. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder had a dominant 2023, earning All-American honors with an 80-catch, 1,314-yard, seven-touchdown season. White followed it up by recording 79 receptions for 1,014 yards and 11 scores in 2024. Kaimon Rucker, Edge Rusher, UNC Connor Colby, OL, Iowa Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware Alijah Huzzie, Slot CB, UNC A potential contributor at the slot cornerback spot, Huzzie is aggressive and stays around the football despite lacking elite size (5-9 1/4, 194). Huzzie earned an honorable mention in All-ACC honors with the Tar Heels after transferring from East Tennessee State. Traeshon Holden, WR, Oregon Holden declared for the NFL Draft after spending two seasons at Oregon under coach Dan Lanning. Holden has 19 career touchdowns and played the first two seasons of his collegiate career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he posted 46 catches for 570 yards and seven touchdowns. He arrived in Eugene in 2023 and became an immediate contributor in the passing game for Bo Nix, finishing the Fiesta Bowl-winning season with 37 grabs for 452 yards, six touchdowns, and one rushing score. 9. Nick Nash, Wide Receiver, San Jose State A Biletnikoff Award finalist, the 6-foot-3 senior took home college football's triple crown, leading the nation in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
