University of Miami Alumni Football: Notable Players

The University of Miami Hurricanes football program boasts a rich history filled with legendary players who have left an indelible mark on both college and professional football. From national championships to individual accolades, these athletes have cemented their place among the greats. The Miami Hurricanes compete in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Miami Hurricanes are among the most storied and decorated football programs in NCAA history. Miami has won five AP national championships in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, and 2001.

A Storied Program

The University of Miami football program began with a freshman team in 1926. The program's first game was a 7-0 victory over Rollins College on October 23, 1926. Under head coach Howard "Cub" Buck, a former NFL player, the freshman team posted an undefeated 8-0 record in its inaugural season. In 1927, the team adopted the "Miami Hurricanes" as the name for its athletic teams. Varsity competition began in 1927, with the Hurricanes beating Rollins, 39-3, in its first game and going on to a 3-6-1 record.

Early Years and Coaching Changes

The Hurricanes recorded a winning record in the 1932 season and served as host to the inaugural Palm Festival, later renamed the Orange Bowl, where it defeated Manhattan College 7-0. A 5-1-2 campaign and another Palm Festival berth followed in 1933, and in 1934, the program played in its first official bowl game, losing to Bucknell in the first Orange Bowl, 26-0. Irl Tubbs took over as head coach in 1935. Harding was succeeded by Andy Gustafson, who introduced a "drive series" offense. Gustafson has the Hurricane record for most years as head coach (16) and most wins (93).

The Tate Era

Charlie Tate's first seasons at Miami were uneventful, with the team posting a 4-5-1 record in 1964 and a 5-4-1 record in 1965. 1966 brought the arrival of defensive end Ted Hendricks, the only three-time All-American in school history, and the Hurricanes won eight games, earning a trip to the Liberty Bowl, where they defeated No.

Coaching Transitions

Fran Curci was named as the program's new head coach on December 20, 1970. Lou Saban was hired on December 27, 1976, as the team's new head coach. The Hurricanes won only three games in 1977, but Saban was able to put together a well-regarded recruiting class that included future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly.

Near Elimination and Schnellenberger's Arrival

The university's board of trustees considered holding a vote on whether to reclassify the football program at the Division I-AA level, or even eliminate it altogether. To replace Saban, the Hurricanes hired Howard Schnellenberger. On the field, Miami went 5-6 in Schnellenberger's debut season, which was highlighted by a 26-10 upset win.

The 1983 National Championship

Entering the 1983 season-the fifth of Schnellenberger's tenure-the program had to find a replacement for the recently graduated Kelly. The Orange Bowl-berth was Miami's first since 1951, but the program's first national championship remained a long shot, as the Hurricanes entered the game ranked fifth. Behind Kosar's passing, Miami jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but Nebraska battled back and cut Miami's lead to 31-24 in the fourth quarter. With 48 seconds remaining, Nebraska scored a touchdown to make it 31-30 and as the number one-ranked team in the nation needed only to kick the extra point to tie the game and put itself in position to win the national championship. Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne elected to go for the win and attempt a two-point conversion instead. On the ensuing play, Miami safety Kenny Calhoun tipped away Gill's pass to receiver Jeff Smith in the end zone, saving the game and winning Miami the national championship.

Johnson's Tenure and Testaverde's Heisman

The team struggled to an 8-5 record in Johnson's first season, losing a number of noteworthy games. The 1985 team opened the season with a loss at Florida before winning their next four games, including a 38-0 win over Cincinnati that began a then NCAA-record 58 game home winning streak, heading into a matchup at No. Facing the nation's top-rated defense, Testaverde amassed 270 yards passing and threw touchdowns to Michael Irvin and Brian Blades, while also running for an additional score, in a 27-14 win over the Sooners. Miami opened its 1986 season as the third-ranked team in the country and climbed to number two after winning its first three games, setting up a No. 1 vs. No.

The 1987 National Championship and Erickson Era

Led by Michael Irvin and new quarterback Steve Walsh, the 1987 Miami Hurricanes won the school's second national championship and completed its first undefeated varsity season. Dennis Erickson, head coach from 1989 to 1994, led the University of Miami to its third national championship in 1989 and its fourth national championship in 1991. The Hurricanes had a then-school record 12 players from the 1987 team selected in the following spring's NFL draft, including Irvin and Bennie Blades, but with Walsh returning in 1988, the team gained the number one ranking with a season-opening 31-0 shutout of then-No. In 1989, Erickson became just the second Division I head coach to win a national championship in his first season at a school.

The 1991 National Championship and Wide Right

The 1991 Hurricanes finished 12-0 and captured the program's fourth national championship in nine years behind quarterback Gino Torretta and a linebacking corps that featured Jessie Armstead and Micheal Barrow. Miami's toughest test came in mid-November at then-No. 1 Florida State in the initial Wide Right game; with the No. 2 Hurricanes leading 17-16 in the final minute of the game, Florida State kicker Gerry Thomas' potential game-winning field goal attempt sailed "wide right" of the uprights. Miami completed the second undefeated season in school history with a 22-0 shutout of No.

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Hurricane Andrew and the 1992 Season

Hurricane Andrew devastated much of South Florida in August 1992, causing the program to relocate its preseason practice sessions north to Dodgertown in Vero Beach. That season, Miami went 11-0 against the second-toughest schedule in the country, topping No. 3 Florida State in Wide Right II and No. 7 Penn State the following week in Beaver Stadium. Meanwhile, Torretta became the second Hurricane to win the Heisman Trophy, throwing for 19 touchdowns and 3,060 yards on the season and setting 11 school passing records during his career. Miami earned a trip to the 1993 Sugar Bowl, where the top-ranked and heavily favored Hurricanes were denied a repeat national championship by No. 2 Alabama, 34-13. The Sugar Bowl loss ended the program's 29-game winning streak, which dated to 1990.

The Mid-1990s: Home Streak Snapped and NCAA Sanctions

In 1994, Miami defeated Georgia Southern in the season opener for its 58th consecutive home win, setting an NCAA record. The streak, which began in 1985, was snapped two weeks later when Washington defeated the Hurricanes 38-20 at the Orange Bowl. Led by All-American defensive tackle Warren Sapp and sophomore linebacker Ray Lewis, the team rebounded to earn a berth in the 1995 Orange Bowl, where No. However, on December 20, 1995, the NCAA announced that Miami would be subject to severe sanctions for numerous infractions within the athletic department. The Hurricanes were forced to sit out postseason play for the first time since 1982 and docked 31 scholarships from 1996 to 1998.

Ring of Honor Inductees

Hurricanes legends Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Warren Sapp and Sean Taylor were officially added to the 23-member Ring of Honor at halftime of Miami's thrilling 25-24 victory over Georgia Tech, cementing their legacies as icons in Miami football history. The ovation multiplied exponentially as Bailey introduced the family of the late Taylor, Lewis, Sapp and Irvin, Reed, who could not attend due to a scheduling conflict, will be recognized prior to the Hurricanes' game against Notre Dame on Nov. 11.

Michael Irvin

A Freshman All-America in 1985 and a second-team All-America in 1987, Irvin is one of the most decorated wide receivers in Miami history. Irvin's 26 receiving touchdowns are the most in Hurricanes history, his 2,423 receiving yards are the third-most, his 143 career receptions are tied for fourth, and he led the Hurricanes in receiving yards in each of his three seasons. After winning a national championship with the Hurricanes, Irvin was drafted in the first round by Dallas in 1988 and went on to win three Super Bowls while starring for the Cowboys. Irvin played 12 seasons for the Cowboys (1988-1999). He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a member of three Super Bowl-champion Cowboys teams (Super Bowl XXVII, Super Bowl XXVIII and Super Bowl XXX) and a 2007 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ray Lewis

Lewis earned All-BIG EAST recognition in 1994 and 1995, compiling one of the most dominant careers by a linebacker ever at The U. Lewis, who ranks sixth all-time in career tackles at Miami with 388, has the two most prolific seasons in history to his name, having recorded 160 total tackles in 1995 and 152 in 1994. A two-time Super Bowl champion and 13-time NFL Pro Bowler, Lewis was drafted in the first round by Baltimore in 1995 and played all 17 seasons with the Ravens, compiling over 2,000 career tackles. Lewis played 17 seasons for the Ravens (1996-2012). He was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection, the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2003, a member of the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV- and Super Bowl XLVII-winning teams and MVP of the Super Bowl XXXV win. In three seasons with the Hurricanes, Lewis recorded 388 tackles (ranked sixth in school history), and his 160 from 1995, and 152 posted in '94, still rank Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, at Miami for a single season.

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Ed Reed

One of the best safeties to ever play the game, Reed was a consensus first-team All-America honoree in his final two seasons at Miami, including a 2001 season where he helped lead the Hurricanes to a national championship. Reed was an All-BIG EAST selection in his final two seasons, and still holds the Hurricanes' record for career interceptions with 21 and interception return yards with 389. Reed played 11 seasons for the Ravens (2002-2012), and one season with the Houston Texans and New York Jets (2013). He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII-winning team. He's the Hurricanes' all-time leader with 21 interceptions, nine of which came in 2001, when he was co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Warren Sapp

The first Hurricane to ever win the prestigious Lombardi Trophy, Sapp was the unanimous 1994 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year before being selected in the first round by Tampa Bay in the 1995 NFL Draft. Sapp was also named Defensive Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated, the Football Writers' Association of America (FWAA) and ABC Sports, among others, and led a Miami defense that ranked first in the NCAA in total defense and scoring defense in 1994. Sapp, who also won the Nagurski Trophy, was selected to seven Pro Bowls and won the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2002. Sapp played nine seasons for the Buccaneers (1995-2003) and four seasons for the Oakland Raiders (2004-07). He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, a member of the Buccaneers' Super Bowl XXXVII-winning team and a 2013 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That's when he posted 84 tackles and 10 1/2 sacks to win Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Sean Taylor

A Miami Hurricanes legend who passed away in 2007, Taylor led the nation in interceptions in his final season in 2003 and set a Miami record by returning three of those picks for scores. Taylor, who was selected in the first round by Washington in the 2004 NFL Draft, was a consensus All-American in 2003, a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and was named the 2003 BIG East Defensive Player of the Year. He ranks fifth at Miami in career interceptions (14) and second in interception return yards (306), won a national championship in 2001 and made two Pro Bowls with the Redskins before his tragic passing. In 2003, Taylor was a consensus first-team All-American and the Big East Defensive Player of the Year while recording 10 interceptions -- tied for first in a single season at Miami. Taylor ranks within the program's top 10 for career interceptions (14), interception return yards (306) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (three).

Other Notable Alumni

Ted Hendricks

Hendricks was one of the greats in both college and the NFL and perhaps the greatest defender to ever come out of Miami. He is another Hurricane to have his uniform number retired and is the only Miami player to earn All-American honors in three straight seasons. Entering the 2024 season, Hendricks was still Miami's all-time leader for tackles by a defensive end (227) and fumble recoveries (12). Hendricks played five seasons for the Colts (1969-1973), one season for the Green Bay Packers (1974) and nine seasons for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1975-1983). He was a member of the Colts team that won Super Bowl V, and was a member of three Raiders teams that won Super Bowls (Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII). Hendricks was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a 1990 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ottis Anderson

Before Anderson won two Super Bowls and rushed for more than 10,000 yards in the NFL, he enjoyed quite the career at Miami. But, even though Anderson's 3,331 rushing yards rank only behind Duke Johnson's 3,519 for the most in school history, he tends to get lost amid the mass of individual football greatness at Miami. Anderson's 1,266 yards from 1978 rank fifth for a season at Miami. Anderson became the first University of Miami running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and led the team in rushing for three straight seasons from 1977 through 1979.

Vinny Testaverde

On the heels of Kosar's success at Miami, Testaverde took things to another level at the position and became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner. Testaverde won the coveted award, along with just about every other player of the year or national quarterback honor, in 1986. That season, Testaverde threw for 2,557 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Actually, one season earlier, he passed for 3,238 yards. Two Hurricanes, Vinny Testaverde in 1986 and Gino Toretta in 1992, have won the Heisman Trophy.

Bennie Blades

Miami has produced many stellar defensive backs over the decades, but Blades is still the only one to win the Jim Thorpe Award (1987), honoring the best collegian at the position. A fierce hitter and stout in coverage, Blades shares the single-season school record with 10 interceptions recorded in 1986. His 19 career interceptions are the second-most all-time at Miami.

Russell Maryland

The first Miami player to win the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's top lineman on either side of the ball. That came in 1990 when Maryland recorded 10 1/2 sacks and also earned All-American status. When Maryland's time with the Hurricanes had come to an end, he was credited with 279 tackles, including 25 for loss and 20 1/2 sacks. Perhaps most important, Maryland helped Miami win two national championships (1987 and '89).

Gino Torretta

Torretta's NFL career never materialized into anything, but his run with the Hurricanes is obviously worth celebrating. He's Miami's second and most-recent Heisman Trophy winner, claiming the award in 1992, when he threw for 3,060 yards and 19 touchdowns. That came one season after he helped the Hurricanes win the national championship by throwing for 3,095 yards with 20 touchdowns. For his career, Torretta threw for 7,690 yards, fifth all-time in Miami history, and also ranks among the school's top 10 for completions (555) and touchdowns (47).

Edgerrin James

James certainly made the most of his 28 games at Miami. His 2,960 rushing yards rank third in school history for a career, while his 32 touchdowns are the second-most by any rushing Hurricane. James' 14 games with at least 100 yards on the ground are tied for the most at Miami. Meanwhile, his 1,416 rushing yards from 1998 rank second among all Hurricanes for a single season.

Dan Morgan

No player in the history of the Hurricanes' program has recorded more career tackles than Morgan. He's the only Miami defender to post at least 500 tackles -- 532, in Morgan's case. Morgan's 150 total stops from 1998, when he became the first sophomore team captain in school history, are tied for third-most in a single season at Miami. In 2000, Morgan made 138 tackles en route to being named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and sweeping most of the major national top defensive player of the year honors, such as the Butkus and Bednarik Awards and the Jack Lambert and Bronko Nagurski Trophies.

Santana Moss

When it comes up to piling up receiving yards at the University of Miami, Moss is among the elite. He's second in school history with 2,546 receiving yards. Not to mention. Moss ranks among the top 10 at Miami in career receptions (143) and touchdowns (19).

Andre Johnson

Johnson has played 12 seasons for the Houston Texans (2003-2014), and has been a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.

Reggie Wayne

Right behind Santana Moss on Miami's all-time receiving yards list is Wayne -- with 2,510. Wayne is the Hurricanes' third at Miami with 173 receptions. Talk about a true 1-2 receiver punch. Wayne's 20 touchdowns are tied for fifth-most by any Miami pass catcher.

Bryant McKinnie

The second Hurricane, and first Miami offensive lineman, to win the Outland Trophy (2001). McKinnie, whose college football career began at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton, Pa., was honored as an All-American by various outlets in both 2000 and during Miami's national championship season of 2001.

Ken Dorsey

Dorsey got better each season at Miami. By the time his run with the Hurricanes ended, he was a national champion and Maxwell Award winner -- both in 2001 -- and an All-American (2002). Dorsey's 9,565 passing yards rank second only to Brad Kaaya's 9,968 on the school's career list, while his 86 touchdown passes are still No. 1.

Brett Romberg

Another standout offensive lineman from Miami's 2001 national championship squad. In 2002, Romberg became the first, and thus far only, Hurricane to win the Rimington Award, given to the nation's top center. Like Bryant McKinnie, Romberg was also credited with not allowing a quarterback sack during his time with Miami. According to the school, Romberg recorded 33 pancake blocks and started 37 straight games at center.

Xavier Restrepo

When Restrepo's extended career at Miami came to an end, he was the program's all-time leader in receptions (200) and receiving yards (2,844). He also ranks among the school's leaders with 21 touchdowns.

D'Eriq King

Just one season, that's all the time Ward spent at Miami. However, in the era of the transfer portal, it was an historic season in annals of Hurricanes football. Playing for this third school in 2024, Ward won the Davey O'Brien and Manning Awards and finished fourth in the Heisman voting while setting a single-season school record with 4,313 passing yards and 39 passing touchdowns.

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