SB Nation’s The 7th Floor Blog knows more about WR Leonard Hankerson than we ever will. Here’s what they have to say about Hankerson as the 2011 NFL draft awaits.
2011 NFL Draft: WR Leonard Hankerson, Miami Hurricanes
Height/weight: 6'2, 209 pounds.
Bio: Ready, quick: Who holds the University of Miami's single season record for receiving touchdowns in a season? Obviously its gotta be Santana Moss... or Reggie Wayne... or Lamar Thomas... or Andre Johnson... or Michael Irvin, right? Believe it or not, it is Leonard Hankerson (13). Hankerson also ranks third all-time in receiving touchdowns at Miami behind Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas, and is one of only three Miami Hurricanes (Michael Irvin, Andre Johnson) to ever post back-to-back 800 yd receiving seasons. Not bad company.
Unlike Allen Bailey and Brandon Harris, who were both virtually NFL ready from the day they showed up in Coral Gables, Leonard Hankerson has grown by leaps and bounds during his time at Miami. It is no coincidence that Hankerson’s development coincided with the fact that Hankerson began working out with 3 time NFL Pro-Bowler, Mark Duper, during the offseason following his sophomore year. The results speak for themselves. After fairly unimpressive freshman and sophomore seasons, Hankerson exploded for 800 yards in his Junior season, and over 1,100 yards in his Senior season.
The word on Hank has traditionally been that he’s a great possession receiver, big strong guy who can go up and get the ball, but doesn’t have the breakaway speed you’d like to see in a first round draft pick and doesn’t have great hands. We at the Seventh Floor would respectfully disagree. Coming into the 2010 season, Hank was barely on NFL scouts’ radar, but probably could have been taken as a late round pick. With each passing game in the 2010, you could see his draft stock rising as he seemingly answered every question NFL scouts could have.
Does he have separation speed?
What about his hands?
Can he block? Will he go across the middle? Can he box out defenders and go up and get the ball? As the season wore on, Hank seemingly answered each of these questions. Is he going to give you Santana Moss/ Devin Hester type, shaking guys out of their jockstrap, highlights? Probably not. But he's proved that he can be counted on as the go-to guy. We at the Seventh Floor would very much like to see Hank go in the late first/ early second round, but would not be shocked to see him fall to the late second.
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