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Denied Ojomo looks towards future

By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com 
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Adewale Ojomo understood the circumstances.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Five years for four years of eligibility.

The defensive lineman from Hialeah hoped he would be granted a sixth-year after redshirting his freshman year and sitting out his sophomore year following jaw surgery prior to the 2009 season. Knowing the odds, Ojomo prepared mentally for the worst-case scenario so it didn't come as much of a shock.

Denied a sixth-year, Ojomo's moved his focus to the next step.

"Well I can't do nothing about it right now, at this point," Ojomo said. "I'm in the real world now, so I got to conduct myself as an adult and move forward, do what I have to do in order to get to the next level.

"I'm not going to sit back and weep on it."

This past week, Ojomo and seven Miami Hurricane teammates (CB Mike Williams, DE Andrew Smith, OL Joel Figueroa, OL Harland Gunn, S JoJo Nicholas, CB Lee Chambers and LS Chris Ivory) took advantage of an opportunity to practice in front of NFL scouts at FAU, in advance of Saturday night's Battle of Florida All-Star Game.

"It's a great experience, a big opportunity," Chambers said. "You have to take advantage of each opportunity you get because that window into the league is only so big."

Ojomo, who started seven games in his last season at UM, believes his versatility on the line is a huge attribute. Having played hurt towards the end of the season, Ojomo noted that he's been able to trim his weight to where he feels comfortable playing at.

Having finished his Miami career with 79 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three recoveries, Ojomo has been training at the Michael Johnson Performance training facility in McKinney, Texas — just outside of Dallas— getting ready for Pro Day. It's the same facility former 'Cane Brandon Harris trained at.

Ojomo feels he can make the transition to the NFL. Making changes to his diet, and preparing mentally are just some of those keys to a possible future at the next level.

"Just stay humble, work hard and everything else will take care of itself," Ojomo said.

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Carlos Pineda - Carlos recently graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and spent the fall as the UCF football beat writer for the Florida Today during the 2010 season. Fully motivated, Pineda covered many of the UCF athletic teams, including basketball and baseball, and eventually became Editor-in-Chief of the Central Florida Future. He has been published in the Orlando Sentinel, and interned at the Orlando Business Journal. He also helped cover the Orlando Magic for Orlando Magic Daily as a credentialed member of the media during the 2010-11 season. Pineda is from Pembroke Pines, FL and covers Miami, Florida and Florida State for Southern Pigskin. You can follow him on twitter: @carlosfpineda10

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