Get matcha on wheels at The Matcha Bike

Amber Del Valle
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Get matcha on wheels at The Matcha Bike

A green bicycle near the Merrick building is UM students’ newest caffeine obsession. The Matcha Bike, the newest matcha shop on campus, offers vibrant, colorful matcha lattes with an assortment of flavors. 

The student-founded business brings delicious matcha directly to the UM community with its unique flavors tailored to students’ interest making each purchase personable. 

The Matcha Bike was created when the founders, who wished to remain unnamed, had trouble finding a sweeter version of matcha on campus. They then started experimenting with recipes and created their own drinks they thought students would enjoy.

Matcha, a powdered green tea traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, has a reputation of tasting bitter and earthy. The Matcha Bike wanted to change that stigma by creating a version of the drink that’s sweet and something even fans of the traditional matcha flavor would like. 

“Matcha has a negative preconception among so many for tasting like grass,” an owner said to The Miami Hurricane.

To fix that, the founders spent more than two years developing a signature drink they call the “Green Velvet.”

It blends traditional matcha ingredients with a custom oat milk mixture designed to create a rich and creamier taste. The Matcha Bike designed custom cans for each drink — giving a personalized experience for each drink.

The decision to serve the drinks from a bike came from a desire to make the concept more mobile and interactive.

“From there, the bike concept was born: A mobile, personal way to bring that experience directly to our community,” an owner said.

The entrepreneurial culture at UM also played a significant role in shaping the business. According to the founders, many students at UM have their own businesses, which helped inspire them to pursue their idea.

“UM is hands down the best university in the country for entrepreneurship,” an owner said. “Not only are a large percentage of the student population business owners, but the administration is so supportive of small businesses.”

Balancing academics and starting a small business presented its challenges, including the demands of operating a growing venture, which requires long hours and careful time management.

In spite of the workload, the founders say seeing customers enjoy their drinks makes the challenges worthwhile.

For the founders, The Matcha Bike is about more than just selling a product. They hope each interaction with customers helps build a sense of community.

“What sets us apart is the care we’ve put into crafting our recipes,” an owner said. “Whether you’re a purist or someone still warming up to the flavor, there’s something here for you.”

Café LoCoh combines matcha and Latin America

Charlotte Schuyler
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Café LoCoh combines matcha and Latin America

Lines at any University of Miami coffee shop are guaranteed to be long on almost any morning. But lately, it’s not just coffee students are lining up for. 

Matcha has quickly become a campus obsession. Students can pick up ice matcha lattes and espresso shots between lectures in almost every part of campus.

 One stand has become a daily ritual for many students: Café LoCoh. The coffee and matcha shop is the University’s school of law and is open from Tuesday to Friday mornings.

The story behind Café LoCoh is surprisingly romantic. According to co-founder Daniela Correa, the idea for the café began during a first date — which was at a coffee shop, of course. 

“Oscar and I started talking about how both of our dreams were to open a coffee shop one day,” Correa said.

For Correa, coffee shops were always more than caffeine. That shared appreciation eventually turned into a vision: a café that felt personal and meaningful.

That vision shows up in every cup served at the café’s mobile cart. Unlike many quick campus stops, Café LoCoh roasts its own coffee beans and serves high-grade, stone-milled matcha, bringing what Correa calls the “full café experience” directly to campus.

Students have definitely noticed. One drink in particular has become a campus favorite: the Caramel Cubano. Inspired by the founders’ ethnicities, Oscar is Cuban and Correa is Venezuelan, the drink captures what they describe as the bold and vibrant spirit of Latin culture.

“The Caramel Cubano is so good. It’s sweet but still really strong, which I love,” said Ilkim Sarsilmaz, a sophomore at the University of Miami. “It has this caramel flavor but also a really bold coffee taste, so it’s not too sugary. I get it every time.”

Café LoCoh’s appeal goes beyond creative drinks. The brand itself leans into a vibe Correa describes as “modern, playful and elevated,” blending imaginative menu items with a commitment to high-quality ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere.

That sense of community may be part of why coffee and matcha culture feels so strong at UM. For many students, it’s not just about caffeine, it’s about routine.

“I think coffee and matcha has become something more,” Correa said. “It has become  something that unites the UM community.”

If you’re new to Café LoCoh, Correa recommends starting with the Baklava Matcha or Baklava Latte: a sweet, nutty drink made with the café’s house-made syrup that perfectly balances flavor and comfort.

The best part of the day isn’t just the coffee, it’s the moment you take to enjoy it.

Get coffee, matcha and and connections at Barista Babes

Gaby Collazo
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Get coffee, matcha and and connections at Barista Babes

Marcela Galvez and Allegra Wynne-Kaplan turned their shared love for coffee and women’s empowerment into Barista Babes Coffee & Matcha, a mobile business serving University of Miami students weekly. 

The female-owned coffee and matcha cart and trailer regularly sets up at several campus locations, near the School of Communication, the Jorge M. Pérez Architecture Center and the Cox Science Building.

“I have always wanted a coffee business and love the community that coffee brings to people,” said Wynne-Kaplan. “We just put our minds together and this is what came of it.”

Wynne-Kaplan said the idea developed naturally from their shared interests, close proximity and growing friendship, which led them to realize that starting a business together aligned with their goals and passions.  

Before launching Barista Babes, Wynne-Kaplan had long envisioned owning a coffee business, while Galvez expressed interest in starting a female-owned business of her own. 

Galvez, a former school teacher, and Wynne-Kaplan, who owns a clothing business, drew on their customer service experience and people skills to expand the simple coffee shop into something more engaging.  

They noticed the rising popularity of matcha and decided to add it to their menu. Since then, their customer base has grown, with many returning regularly for their matcha. 

The woman chose to cater to UM for several reasons: both are Miami residents, they understand the college student’s need for caffeine, and they enjoy the opportunity to connect with students. 

“I like going to Barista Babes because I am a communications student so it is convenient to have a truck there since there are no other spots on that side of campus,” said Kiki Ferreira, a senior at UM. “I honestly find the coffee super good and the women in the truck are so nice. 

But, Barista Babe doesn’t only serve matcha at UM. Through collaborations with local Miami businesses and events, the two women bring their coffee cart and truck on the go, providing for a wider community. 

The business tailors its offerings to its audience, whether catering events, collaborating with other businesses or serving students on campus. 

“UM students know what they like and they are looking for that specifically,” said Wynne-Kaplan  “And when they come back, it means we did a good job with providing them.” 

In addition to coffee and matcha drinks, Barista Babes sells a variety of baked goods sourced from two other female-owned startups. The company, which will celebrate its first anniversary in April, has continued to grow while emphasizing health-conscience options. 

“It is aimed towards giving students and people healthy choices,” said Galvez. “We are so happy talking to people and getting personal interactions. That’s why we love working and our customers every day.”

With steady success both on and off of campus, Barista Babes continues to expand, offering students and Miami residents a place to grab a drink and make a new friend along the way. 

The campus Wizard brings confidence and self expression to UM

Keira Faddis
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The campus Wizard brings confidence and self expression to UM

Chances are, over the past few months, you have seen a wizard walking around campus. Whether he’s by the lake, heading to his next class or even sitting in one, the self-described “wizard” is hard to miss. 

“I feel like some people are really excited to see someone that looks unique on this campus,”  the Wizard, who wished to keep his name unpublished, said. “People always ask me if I play D&D, or what I’m dressing up as, and I always say ‘myself.’”

Most of the time, you’ll find the Wizard wearing a green, flowy outfit accompanied by a pointy green hat.

The Wizard, a freshman at UM, didn’t always get to dress so creatively. Before arriving on campus, most of his schools had strict uniform policies. Because of that, he looked forward to any chance to dress up. 

“I’ve always loved doing costumes and dressing up for Halloween,” the Wizard said. “Even during school spirit days, I would wear the most complex costume I could.”

He started at UM with a newfound freedom over his clothing choices. The Wizard decided to fully embrace it. After buying the iconic hat at the start of this spring semester, it quickly became a daily staple.

“I really [wanted] to wear this hat as much as possible, so I just started wearing it,” he said. “I don’t think since I got it there’s been a day that I haven’t worn it to campus.”

Since then, he has had many positive interactions with students and said he has not experienced negative reactions.

His outfit has largely become his identity on campus. Many students who recognize him — and even some of his close friends — don’t know his name at all.

“A lot of people will walk by me and say, ‘Hey, campus wizard,’” he said. “I don’t think a lot of people that I’m friends with know my name. They just call me ‘the Wizard,’ which is funny.” 

For the Wizard, wearing his daily outfits is not just about standing out, it’s a conscious decision to be an example for anyone else who is hesitant to dress differently. 

He describes this as “a fight against anti-individuality.”

“I really hope that people understand that I’m trying to normalize this,” the Wizard said. “I hope that people see me and think, ‘Okay, I can do that, too,’ because I think anyone can do it.”

His inspiration often comes from creative spaces like video games and cosplay, where character design plays a major role in how characters are presented. 

When deciding what to wear each day, the Wizard approaches the process more like designing a character than choosing an outfit.

“I just try to think about it in a character design frame, because I like video games a lot,” he said. 

Instead of following fashion trends, he focuses on wearing pieces that feel expressive and unique. 

“I don’t know anything about fashion,” he said. “I just went shopping and picked things that I liked, and that’s what I wear.”

That perspective leads him to choose pieces that create a specific silhouette, such as flowing layers that resemble cloaks or capes. He said he often thinks about the overall shape of the outfit rather than individual items when getting dressed.

Ultimately, the Wizard hopes that students who see him around campus feel encouraged to express themselves however they want — even if that means wearing something unconventional.

Things at UM that would send other students into a coma

Hannah Valdivia
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Things at UM that would send other students into a coma

This may come as a shock to University of Miami students, but Goyard bags, graduation raves and frat yacht parties are not a part of the typical college experience. 

A quick TikTok search will reveal that UM’s students have certain trends and customs that are extremely uncommon at almost every other university in the country. 

Videos of college students naming things at their college or university that would send other students “into a coma” have circulated on TikTok for a few years now. 

So, let’s get into a few UM-specific experiences that might do just that — starting with something that is familiar to most students: partying.

Party culture

The main point that users participating in the trend seem to mention about UM is its prominent party culture. 

This might have something to do with the fact that the University is just an Uber ride away from Brickell, Wynwood and Downtown Miami, all hubs for rave culture and late-night to early-morning to, well, afternoon, clubbing. 

Seeing students shuffle back in from their college-town equivalents of Club Space, LIV and E11EVEN between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. would be uncommon at other universities. 

Miami also hosts events like Hocus Pocus and iii Points in Wynwood, Ultra in Bayfront Park and student’s favorite DJs at Factory Town. This strong festival presence has led to a thriving rave culture among students, who cycle through their favorite mesh Shein tops and Amazon pashminas to post on Instagram. 

At schools like the University of Florida and Florida State University, the nightlife scene is limited to backyard frat parties and a small row of local bars for entertainment. 

“There’s really only one main bar and you always see the same people, it’s gotten kind of played out by now so it’s not as appealing,” said University of Florida student Andres Delgado. 

It’s no wonder that the University of Miami’s party scene is somewhat of a culture shock for students, and has led to UM being named one of the top party schools in the country. 

Influencer central

“Influencer U” is one of UM’s many nicknames thanks to the massive number of both small and large influencers who attend UM or just walk around the campus. 

Sienna Sacco, Ximena Ponce and Collete Couillard — to name a few — are all influencers with well more than 500,000 followers on their platforms. It’s not unusual to see them and other aspiring influencers walking around campus documenting their day or filming brand-affiliated content. 

Thanks to Alix Earle, it seems like every student is trying to get their start as an influencer at UM by receiving PR and filming TikToks of their lavish lifestyles. 

Living in sunny South Florida also has its benefits and has shaped student culture in its own ways. 

Seeing people go to class in bikinis or swim trunks isn’t a rare sight, and girls wearing just their bikinis and dirt-covered Air Forces to the frat houses is something even Earle has pointed out as shocking for visitors. 

Wet campus

I’m not talking about the bipolar weather of the Sunshine state, I’m talking about our day drinkers over at The Rat. 

The Rathskeller is the University of Miami’s student-run restaurant that serves alcohol on campus to those over 21.

According to a Reddit post, most colleges with pubs or bars are only open to graduate students. At UM, though, students of age can stop by at 2 p.m. for a beer or a seltzer as long as they show I.D. 

Though, not every student is gathering to drink. The Rat has also become a place for sports enthusiasts to gather and watch major games, such as the CFP Finals or March Madness. They also host trivia, karaoke and DJ nights. 

So, although there is a bit of a culture shock that comes with being a student at UM, most students seem to enjoy the weather, the diverse nightlife and social media opportunities that come with enrolling. 

Florida is stifling citizen initiatives. Here’s how.

Emil Salgado Vazquez
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Florida is stifling citizen initiatives. Here’s how.

Florida voters will not have any citizen-led amendments on the 2026 ballot for the first time in years, a clear departure from the state’s tradition of direct democracy. 

After lawmakers made initiative rules stricter in 2025, it has become too costly and legally risky to get measures like raising the minimum wage, restoring voting rights and legalizing medical marijuana on the ballot. These new rules make it virtually impossible for voters to have a say in Florida’s government through ballot initiatives.

Citizen initiatives have allowed Floridians to bypass the legislature and enact sweeping policy changes. Voter-approved measures often succeed where elected officials stall. The process has functioned as a crucial check on political power, and a way for us Floridians to have a direct impact on the laws of our own state.

Now, with the harsh regulations put in place last year, zero amendments have made it to the ballot out of 22. The new restrictions are now being challenged in federal court, for good reason: these rules place unconstitutional barriers between voters and the ballot.

Lawmakers fundamentally reshaped the initiative process in 2025 with new petition rules, tighter deadlines, and higher compliance risks. Organizers now face increased legal liability and costs, making ballot access impossible for now. 

Supporters of the harsher restrictions say the changes protect election integrity, but in practice, these laws are barriers set by Florida Republicans to limit voters’ power.

Remember, this is not the only barrier for Florida voters. In 2006, the GOP-controlled legislature managed to push the 60% requirement for amendments into Florida’s constitution. However, that measure failed to reach the 60% threshold: Only 58% of Floridians voted in the affirmative to pass the law, yet we all still suffer the repercussions all these years later.

Since then, Floridians have attempted to pass many initiatives: recreational marijuana legalization, abortion rights protections, homestead tax exemptions, property tax assessment charges and even consumers’ choice on solar energy. Many of these exceeded 55% in the affirmative yet were barred by the 2006 amendment. 

But, Florida Republicans weren’t satisfied with just preventing voters from passing amendments on the ballot.

What happens next will largely depend on the courts, lawmakers, and future election cycles. 

The judicial system may work in our favor and shut down these harsh restrictions. Lawmakers could revisit the rules in future sessions, though no changes are currently guaranteed, especially with a Republican supermajority in our state legislature. Some advocacy groups have already postponed major campaigns until 2028, widely seen as the next realistic opportunity to place citizen initiatives before voters.

This battle over citizen initiatives is about power. If the path to the ballot continues to narrow, Floridians may lose one of their most direct tools for shaping public policy. 

To protect direct democracy, stay informed, support advocacy groups fighting these restrictions and urge lawmakers to reconsider these barriers. Participate in upcoming elections and make your voice heard on this critical issue. 

The future of our state’s direct democracy depends on our collective action.

Hurricanes win fifth-straight, defeat FAU 10-6 in midweek affair

Omar Pinto
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Hurricanes win fifth-straight, defeat FAU 10-6 in midweek affair

The Miami Hurricanes took down the FAU Owls in a high-scoring affair Tuesday night, winning 10 – 6.  

Jake Dorn got the start on the mound for the Canes, one of seven pitchers sent out by Miami throughout the game, none throwing for more than two innings. TJ Coats would be the lucky win recipient after his two innings pitched across the fourth and fifth innings.

Alonzo Alvarez delivered on the offensive end with two hits and two RBIs, along with drawing two walks. As a team, the Hurricanes drew seven walks on the night. 

The Owls were shut down in the first inning thanks to strong defense by the Hurricanes, and the Canes continued the momentum on offense. 

Jake Ogden worked a walk and then advanced to second on a groundout, bringing up Alex Sosa. Sosa hit a routine grounder to second, but with a lucky Hurricane bounce, it skeetered off the defender’s glove and over his head, bringing home Ogden to open up the scoring with an error.

Some more strong defense kept the Owls down in the second inning, and then the floodgates opened up for Miami. 

Ryan Buckler jumped on the mound to replace FAU starter Dalton Robinson after just one inning, but things didn’t go well for him either. 

Vance Sheahan started the inning by working a walk, then stealing second and third on back to back pitches. He was quickly brought home by a Dylan Dubovik single, which was followed by a Jake Ogden deep sacrifice fly to score Dubovik. 

Next up was Alex Sosa, who scored two with a hard hit double ripped to right field, making the score 5-0.

To start the third, Tate DeRias replaced Jake Dorn on the mound, and the Owls took advantage. 

With the bases loaded, Michael Perazza fired a hard single to left field that brought in a run. Left fielder Dubovik failed to cleanly collect the ball, and the error allowed another run in. 

Luckily, the Canes were able to get out of the inning soon after thanks to a heads up play by Ogden, who caught a line drive and flipped it over to second for a double play

David Lebowitz, Photo Editor/ Fifth-Year Senior Outfielder Derek Williams extends his foot towards foot base against Florida on Febrauary 27, 2026.

Another pitching change to start the third saw Cameron Horner come in to pitch for the Owls. After three straight walks Horner was taken out for Brayden Gilsom who limited the damage, allowing just one run on a Dubovik RBI ground out.

The fourth inning saw the Owls battle back once again. First baseman Patrick Ward seized a hold of a pitch inside, blasting it to deep left center. The ball disappeared over the fence, bringing the score to 6-4 putting FAU right back into the game.

The Canes quickly answered back with some runs of their own. They loaded the bases with two singles and a walk, leading to a Cuvet score via a wild pitch. Alvarez proceeded to lift a ball just over the shortstop’s head for a two RBI single, giving the Hurricanes a bigger cushion.

Through the next few innings, strong defense from both sides kept both teams off the board until the bottom of the sixth inning. 

Derek Williams hit his ninth double of the season to tie himself for fifth in the ACC, and he proceeded to score thanks to a Sheahan RBI double.

However, some weak defense by the Hurricanes kept FAU in the game, as an Ogden error led to an easy run for the Owls. The Hurricane lead was cut to four after a wild pitch.

With some good defense in the seventh, the Owls found themselves in a good position to inch even closer. 

With two runners on the Owls opted for a double steal, but the lead runner was gunned down by the catcher Alvarez, halting their momentum and preventing them from getting any more runs on the board.

Miami closed the game out with an emphatic ending, as center fielder Fabio Peralta made a catch at full sprint and then shot a runner down back at first to end the game with a double play. Closer Ryan Bilka earned the save on the night with 1.1 innings pitched and one strikeout. 

Miami will travel to Clemson, S.C., to face the Tigers for a three-game set. The series will begin Friday, with first pitch set for 7 p.m.

Miami baseball players embrace after each made it to home following a grand slam from freshman outfielder Dylan Dubovik during the Saturday, Feb. 21 game against Lafayette College.

Miami AD Dan Radakovich named NACDA Athletic Director of the Year

Shea Mcdonald
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Miami AD Dan Radakovich named NACDA Athletic Director of the Year

When Dan Radakovich stepped up to the podium at his introductory press conference on Dec. 14, 2021 one of his first statements was, “athletics is a part of the greater university community and we need to be a shining example of integrity, innovation and commitment.”


Nearly five years since his induction, Radakovich has demonstrated each, elevating athletics to the point where several of Miami’s programs have reached new heights. 

The result of those efforts, the announcement on March 16 that he will be awarded the Athletic Director of the Year award. 

Among 27 other nominees, Radakovich is being honored for his service regarding football along with three others. 

When Radakovich arrived in Coral Gables, Hurricanes football was at a low point in its history. 

Since 2006, the Hurricanes held just a single bowl win, a single 10-win season, and no significant ACC or post season success. 

As South Florida players flocked to rivals and out of the state, The U was being left behind as the glory days were left in the past with the program criticized for a lack of investment. Radakovich came in with head coach Mario Cristobal, both alumni of the University, hungry to bring the UM back to national prominence. 

In the years since the two have worked hand-in-hand to get Miami football back to the top of the country. 

Photo Credit: David Lebowitz, Photo Editor // Members of the Miami Hurricanes celebrate in front of the Fiesta Bowl Trophy on Jan. 8, 2026

Navigating the new world of NIL and paying student-athletes, Radakovich has worked with donors and sponsors to improve facilities and give Hurricanes athletes the best chance to succeed. 

In the 2024-2025 academic year alone, Miami athletics received $36.4 million in gifts and contributions from more than 7,000 donors, the second most in school history. 

In December 2023, the Hurricanes announced a multimedia rights partnership with Legends, a premium experiences company. That deal has resulted in a record single-year revenue growth and improved ticket sales.

Each year, football has improved in record, in recognition and in ability to recruit between keeping guys home or from the transfer portal. 

From five wins in 2022 to national champion runner-ups in 2025, Radakovich has helped reinvigorate sports culture on campus, starting on the gridiron. 

While football is what’s earned him this honor, that’s not to say that Miami hasn’t had other stars shine throughout his tenure. 

In the 2022-2023 season, Hurricanes hoops reached historic new milestones as the men’s program made their first ever Final Four and the women their first Elite Eight berth in school history. 

Head coach Jim Larrañaga holds the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship Trophy after Miami’s 88-81 win over the University of Texas in the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO on March 26, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

Swim and Dive has back-to-back National champion diver Chiara Pellicani, Track and Field has earned a long list of ACC and National honors and Hurricanes baseball was one run away from a trip to Omaha last season.

Off the field, Hurricanes athletics reached a school record 94% graduation success rate and have been at the top of community service winning the annual Community Service competition twice in 2022 and 2024 with levels of 99% student-athlete involvement. 

Radakovich has consistently invested in Hurricanes athletics since his arrival in 2021 with the expansion and improvement of facilities for all its sports. Most recently, Miami has upgraded  women’s basketball and baseball locker rooms as well as the renovation of football’s indoor practice facility.  

As a result, he’ll be honored for the works he’s put in five years in Coral Gables. The ceremony will be at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics’ 61st Annual Convention on June 9, 2026 in Las Vegas. 

Photo Editor Brian Mulvey // Head Coach Mario Cristobal raises the Cotton Bowl trophy after Miami’s victory against Ohio State University on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

Waymo arrives in Miami, offering a new option for transportation

Alejandra Chavez
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Waymo arrives in Miami, offering a new option for transportation

Waymo, the driverless rideshare service, launched in Miami on Jan. 22, 2026, introducing self-driving technology to the city. 

The vehicles use a combination of lidar, radar and cameras to navigate roads safely without a human behind the wheel. The company says the technology is designed to reduce human error, which is responsible for the majority of traffic accidents.

Riders can request trips through the Waymo One app and travel in all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. Each vehicle can accommodate up to four passengers.

The service area includes several major Miami neighborhoods, such as the Design District, Wynwood, Brickell and Coral Gables, with plans to expand service to Miami International Airport in the future.

Nearly 10,000 people have already signed up for the service, and riders will be invited on a rolling basis as the company expands across its initial 60-square-mile service area.However, some students have expressed hesitation.

Waymo … scares me because they can make mistakes,” said a University of Miami freshman who requested anonymity. “ I don’t think it’s there yet for me to be able to be confident in them, so I would not take a Waymo. I feel like the technology isn’t there, and maybe they’re too expensive for what they offer right now.”

“It’s like getting a little robot to deliver your food when you could just have a person DoorDash your food instead, faster,” the student said.

Waymo began in 2009 as the Google Self-Driving Car Project and has since grown into one of the most prominent companies developing autonomous vehicle technology. 

While Waymo’s driverless cars are new to Miami, the company already operates in cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston where riders can use the service on public roads. In Coral Gables, Freebee, an electric microtransit service that provides short-distance rides, has operated for years, offering another transportation option for residents and students.

“I would definitely try Waymo, mostly for the convenience,” said University of Miami student Rebecca Valdes. “If I’m in the backseat, I don’t have to focus on traffic. I can do work, take a call or just relax, especially during long or stressful drives.”

“Safety is also a big factor” they added. “There are a lot of stories about uncomfortable or unsafe rides with drivers especially for women, so the idea of a driverless car can feel more secure. At the same time, it’s still new technology, so I think people are a little cautious about how reliable it is.”

As new transportation technologies enter South Florida, services like Waymo are reshaping how residents and University of Miami students move around Coral Gables and the surrounding city.

Former UM defensive back Keionte Scott boosts draft stock with standout performance at Pro Day

Alyssa Golden
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Former UM defensive back Keionte Scott boosts draft stock with standout performance at Pro Day

With all 32 NFL teams represented and more than 100 NFL personnel watching closely, the University of Miami’s Pro Day served as a final proving ground for Hurricane NFL hopefuls ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Action began at 2 p.m. on March 23, with the 40-yard dash. 

Scouts filled the bleachers near midfield of the Carl Soffer Indoor Practice Facility, watching each drill closely and taking notes as the day unfolded. 

One player in particular arrived determined to prove he is worthy of being a top pick. 

Miami cornerback Keionte Scott stole the spotlight after running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash. His time would have ranked second among cornerbacks at the NFL combine. 

While he was invited to the NFL combine Feb. 26 – March 1, Scott opted to only participate in the interview process, not the on-field workouts/testing.

Without a combine performance to lean on, Monday served as Scott’s primary opportunity to make his case to NFL front offices. 

After his impressive showing in the 40-yard dash, he demonstrated he is more than just speed, recording a 10-foot-3-inch broad jump and a 44-inch vertical jump. 

The six foot, 195-pound sixth-year senior totaled 64 total tackles, including 13 for loss, five sacks and two interceptions returned for touchdowns in his lone season with the Hurricanes. 

Before transferring to Miami, Scott spent three seasons at Auburn.  

“The journey to get to where I am today has been a lot of ups and downs,” Scott said. “A lot of questions, lots of long nights. It’s definitely a lot of emotions. I feel like I’ve put a lot of work in.”

However, Scott’s appeal goes beyond the numbers. 

Following his media availability, he took time to personally thank reporters, shaking hands with each one as a sign of appreciation – an example of the character and professionalism he brings to the locker room.  

Coming into Pro Day, Scott was projected as a fourth-round pick. However, his performance likely caught the attention of many NFL scouts and could move him all the way up to the second round. 

When asked about the emotions surrounding draft day, Scott remained focused on what comes next. 

“24-hour rule, and then it’s time to go to work,” he said. 

If Monday was any indication, Scott may hear his name called much earlier than expected when the 2026 NFL Draft takes place in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.

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