Cleveland Browns make Sheldrick Redwine the first Miami Hurricane taken in 2019 NFL draft

Midway through Sheldrick Redwine’s college career, some of his coaches — including Manny Diaz, then Miami’s defensive coordinator — came to him with a request.

With the Hurricanes lacking depth at safety, Diaz wanted to know if Redwine — a cornerback — would be willing to change positions in the defensive backfield.

Redwine didn’t hesitate and he quickly became one of Miami’s go-to safeties, finishing this past season tied for the team lead with three interceptions.

Saturday he became the first Hurricane taken in the 2019 NFL draft when he was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round with the 119th pick.

“He really played well. He’s a tackler. He had three sacks, three interceptions, so he kind of balances it out going against the run and in coverage,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said of Redwine after the former Miami Killian High standout was taken by the Browns. “He ran a 4.44 at the combine, a vertical of almost 40 inches … the versatility of Sheldrick Redwine fits today’s NFL perfectly.”

This past season, Redwine finished as Miami’s fourth-leading tackler with 64 stops, including 3.5 tackles for loss. He also had three sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two quarterback hurries.

In Cleveland, he’ll join a team filled with former Hurricanes stars, including running back Duke Johnson, tight end David Njoku, defensive end Chad Thomas, defensive end Olivier Vernon, linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong and Alonzo Highsmith in the front office as the Browns’ vice president of player personnel.

Redwine’s selection Saturday marked the second straight year the Browns have been the first team to take a Hurricane in the draft.

Last April, it was Thomas — taken in the third round.

Now, Redwine will look to be the latest Hurricane to add to Miami’s NFL success.

“Miami, it’s an NFL factory,” Redwine said at the NFL combine earlier this year. “We expected to be here. I’m just happy we’re here. … The guys that came before us, as a DB like Ed Reed and Sean Taylor before us, we’re looking forward to creating our own legacy.”

He continued, “I’m a high-character guy. You don’t have to worry about me off the field. I’m a good leader on the field. My toughness is never going to be in question — as a safety you have to be tough,” Redwine added. “I never turn down hits and that shows up on film. I’m a communicator, I can talk to anybody on the field at any time, correcting guys and putting them in their positions.”