Tyrique Stevenson says going to Miami Dolphins would 'mean a lot to me'

Every now and then a college athlete’s dream NFL team comes calling at just the right time. Could that happen with former Miami defensive back Tyrique Stevenson and the Miami Dolphins?

He’d love that if it happened.

“Yeah, it would mean a lot to me. I’m down to go wherever, take my talents wherever, but it would definitely mean a lot to me to be back in South Florida,” Stevenson told reporters at the 2023 NFL Combine. “Give my family the opportunity to be closer, be able to get to games a lot easier, be able to have my great grandmother and my grandma come to the games. It would mean a whole lot to me.”

Stevenson is regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the class, with the size and physicality to hold up well.

He’s also turned in some excellent times and testing numbers at this year’s NFL Combine. Done with his workouts, most of his numbers hold up quite well.

Tyrique Stevenson was clocked at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.41 in the 20-yard shuttle and 7.09 in the 3-cone drill. He also had a 38.5-inch vertical jump and a 10 foot, 5 inch broad jump.

That Miami dream? Stevenson has at least had some preliminary chats with the Dolphins.

“I’ve had conversations with everybody, and at the Senior Bowl, too,” Stevenson said. “Just having conversations, getting to know everybody and everybody getting to know me.”

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.