The Miami Hurricanes football program is most recognised for its four national championships in a nine-year span during its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s.
These teams were legendary, loaded with controversy and skill. Because of this, many tuned in to watch the Hurricanes, wishing for their demise or rooting for them to continue their winning streak.
When “The U” regained the throne and won its fifth national title in 2001, history was repeated. The group included players who advanced to become legendary status once more. Not only were Miami’s championship teams outstanding, but they also left a lasting impression on college football history. The NFL legends from the school are also largely alike.
These are the top five NFL players to come out of the University of Miami, however there were plenty to pick from.
It’s understandable why many people believe that legendary Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is the best off-ball linebacker in NFL history.
Lewis was chosen in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft after winning two All-American titles with the Hurricanes. He played 110 tackles in his first season and came in sixth in the Defensive first of the Year voting. Although it was a good beginning, few anticipated his ascent to football greatness in the years to come. In 1997 and again in 1999 and 2001, he led the league in total tackles.
Lewis was a good tackler, but he was also athletic enough to be useful as a pass rusher and in coverage. Lewis received ten All-Pro choices in total and twelve visits to the Pro Bowl for his thorough play. Lewis also received two Defensive Player of the Year nominations and the MVP award for Super Bowl 35.
The two-time champion is the subject of endless discussion before it becomes monotonous. He was the unquestionable leader of the Ravens’ defence during his tenure and one of the best defensive players to ever play in the NFL.
In addition to his physical prowess, Lewis was a highly motivated and intellectual player who carefully modified his style of play to become the best version of himself and demanded the same of his teammates. Upon his retirement, he amassed 2,059 total tackles, 31 interceptions, and 41.5 sacks, making him an obvious first-ballot Hall of Fame selection.
The Miami Hurricanes legend Ray Lewis wasn’t the only one on the Ravens defence in the 2000s. Many football analysts have named Ed Reed the best safety of the twenty-first century, much like many think Lewis was the greatest linebacker of his era.
Two-time All-American and Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2001, Reed was on his way to the NFL draft that spring after helping the Hurricanes win their fifth national championship. In the 2002 draft, the Ravens selected Reed with the 24th overall pick, and the rest is history.
Reed’s entire game transferred to the NFL with ease. He was the perfect safety because of his ball skills, instincts, athleticism, and tackling ability. In zone coverage, Reed excelled at reading the quarterback’s eyes to jump routes and produce interceptions.
Throughout his career, he collected 64 interceptions, three times leading the league in the category, seven of which he returned for touchdowns. As an example of a player who can be successful in any period, Reed made nine Pro Bowls, eight All-Pro teams, and helped the Ravens win their second Super Bowl. Reed was a versatile safety who altered the way the position was performed.
Prior to being referred to as “The U” or a force that altered college football, Miami was a little program vying for its first national championship. Jim Otto made a play at centre during this period. Although Otto was a gifted player, NFL organisations showed little interest in him because of his perceived diminutive stature.
The Oakland Raiders signed him and made the NFL regret passing on the former Hurricane. The Raiders were slated to begin the inaugural season in franchise history in 1960 as a charter member of the AFL.
As a rookie, Otto looked to be the best centre in the AFL and was successful right away. For a number of years, he would retain that title and proceeded to
provide outstanding centre play following the 1970 merger of the NFL and AFL to become a unified organisation.
Otto played for 15 years before advanced statistics were a thing, but his accomplishments speak for themselves. In 1967, he assisted the Raiders in winning the AFL title. He was a member of twelve AFL All-Star Games/Pro Bowls, twelve All-AFL/All-Pro teams.
Otto is still regarded as one of Oakland’s all-time great players, having been a key member of the team in the 1960s.
Ted Hendricks was a fantastic athlete who, after graduating from high school in Hialeah, Florida, received scholarship offers for baseball, basketball, and football.
He gave it some thought before deciding to continue with football, and looking back, that was a smart move. The defensive talisman, who played for Miami, was a multiple-time All-American and was fifth in the 1968 Heisman Trophy voting.
Even though Hendricks played more linebacker in the pros, he was so powerful at the NCAA level that he is honoured with an annual award for being the finest defensive end in college football.
Despite his ungainly stature of 6 feet 7 inches and 220 pounds, Hendricks was a challenging player to manage because of his length. He has the mobility to make plays from sideline to sideline and the ability to bat down balls and cling onto ball carriers.
For three separate teams, Hendricks made eight Pro Bowl appearances. Three of his four Super Bowl victories came while he was a member of the Baltimore Colts, but his nine years with the Raiders are what people remember him for the most.
Over the course of a 15-year career, Hendricks recorded 61 sacks and 26 interceptions. The Miami alumnus played football like a player, even though he didn’t look like one.
After winning Big East Defensive Player of the Year and placing sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting during his 1994 season with the Hurricanes, Warren Sapp entered the 1995 NFL Draft and was chosen 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sapp was a strong defensive end with a talent for converting tackles.
An outstanding inside defender with double-digit sacks has grown more prevalent in today’s NFL. However, this was rather uncommon throughout Sapp’s career, and his ability to block out plays gave him a special skill that the league loved. After recording 12.5 sacks in 1999 and 16.5 the following year, he was named Defensive Player of the Year.
Sapp would end his playing career with 578 total tackles and 98.5 sacks. Despite his off-field scandals, he is among the most significant players in Buccaneers history, having played for the team in two All-Decade teams and winning a Super Bowl.
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