*Michael Warren II, Cincinnati Football News: Draft Scout Player News

04/15/20 - RB *Michael Warren II, Jr/2020, Cincinnati

Limited at the NFL Combine in February because of a hamstring injury, running back Michael Warren II wanted to impress scouts at the University of Cincinnati's pro day. It was going to be his first time running the 40-yard dash and the shuttle drills in front of teams. For a running back, those are important numbers to move up on draft boards. Warren, who starred at UC for three seasons, never had the opportunity. Pro days everywhere were canceled because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. "Man, it was really like a feeling in my gut that I couldn't get away," Warren told The Enquirer in a phone interview Tuesday. "A lot of my teammates that didn't get invited to the combine, they weren't able to do other things because of the virus, so they aren't able to do anything. "That was going to be a fun day going back there and showing my talents off to the (NFL) coaches and reuniting with my (UC) coaches and teammates. It was really a heartbreaking moment."

There were positives, Warren said, from his experience at the combine. He underwent medical testing and interviewed with teams. He had a chance to show coaches his football IQ. He enjoyed connecting with the top running backs in the draft class, some he's known since he was in high school. But without a pro day, he will be relying on teams to judge him on his film. In 38 games with the Bearcats, the 5-foot-9, 226-pound Warren ran for 2,918 yards and scored 37 touchdowns (34 rushing). He set a school record with 20 touchdowns - 19 rushing - during the 2018 season and led UC to a pair of 11-win seasons. - Cincinnati Enquirer

Jr/2020