My (post-1980) all-time Miami Hurricanes team...

k9cane

Senior
Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
10,140
Here it is, my (all-post-1980) Miami Hurricanes team. I will discuss this tomorrow on the podcast with D-Money.

I decided to stick with the players I really got to see a lot of. Guys like Jim Otto, Ted Hendricks, George Mira, Chuck Foreman, Dennis Harrah, Ottis Anderson are certainly all-time great Hurricanes, but I really didn't get to see them play on a regular basis.

I did this basically off the top of my head, so I reserve the right to change my mind. Also, I based this on their careers at the University of Miami. What they did in the NFL was not really factored in. Later on I might do a full all-time 85 player Hurricane roster.

But my list/team isn't just about stats (although production absolutely matters), but game-to-game impact. Which guys do I want representing Miami going into a big game? Those are the things that were considered. With the proviso that I can always change my mind based on new information

And keep this in mind, I'm just a fan with an opinion. That's it. Please feel free to disagree....

QB- Jim Kelly - the most important player in program history --and best pure arm talent. 'QB U' of the 80's began with him, and without him, the dynasty of that decade never launches. I will die on this hill.

RB- Edgerrin James -- best all-around 3-down back in program history. Key building block of the Butch Davis rebuild. Who can forget that UCLA game?

FB- Alonzo Highsmith -- was drafted #3 as a fullback. Could've been a top five pick on either side of the ball.

OT- Bryant McKinnie -- the blindside of Ken Dorsey was never a concern with Mt McKinnie

OG- Chris Myers -- hard-nosed scrapper inside

C- KC Jones - four year starter, and a personal favorite of Art Kehoe

OG- Richard Mercier -- this former mogul skier was the best pulling guard in program history

OT - Leon Searcy -- it's either him or Cici Mauignoa.

TE- Jeremy Shockey -- so many blue-chippers at this spot, but Shockey was both an elite pass catcher and a tenacious blocker

WR- Eddie Brown -- an absolute game breaker who made so many big plays in the 83 national title run

WR- Michael Irvin -- 'the Playmaker', what else needs to be said?

Slot WR - Xavier Restrepo: X was incredibly productive, but Malachi Toney is just getting started. And I want to note, if Miami played in a spread in his days, Santana Moss might be my guy, here. But 'the Carol City Comet' would be in my all-time Miami WR room in ANY system.

K- Carlos Huerta: 'the Ice Man' was Mr Reliable in the clutch

KR- Devin Hester: Miami has had some great returners, but Hester has to be the choice, here

ST - Tremain Mack : tough to leave out Bubba McDowell but Mack won games with his special teams work

DEFENSE

DE - Danny Stubbs -- still the all-time program leader in sacks

DT- Warren Sapp -- his 1994 campaign is one of the five greatest individual seasons for a Hurricane

DT - Jerome Brown -- the tone setter for the 80's renegade Canes. Great speaker at Steak Fry's, too

DE - Rueben Bain -- one of the foundations of the Cristobal rebuild, best ever at setting the edge in the run game.

OLB - Darrin Smith -- the most complete outside 'backer I've seen at Miami

MLB - Ray Lewis -- was a tackling machine from day one

OLB- Dan Morgan -- one of the most decorated defenders in UM history for his 2000 season

CB - Ryan McNeil -- sound and reliable every game

CB - Antrel Rolle -- the physical prototype who muscled receivers

Slot /Nickel CB- Keionte Scott -- 'Agent O' might have been on his way to the Thorpe Award before his injury last season. This is a relatively new full-time position, I was tempted to put Phillip Buchanon, here, because I think he would've been a great slot corner, but he didn't really play this spot.

S - Ed Reed -- a no-brainer

S - Sean Taylor -- another easy choice. Was robbed of the 2003 Thorpe Award

P - Jeff Feagles -- it's either him or Lou Hedley.

Coach - Jimmy Johnson
Athletic Director - Sam Jankovich
School President - Joe Echevarria
Sebastian the Ibis - John Routh
Cheerleader - Yamma Yamma
Stadium - the Orange Bowl
Jacket - Starter
Team Travel Gear -- Fatigues
 
Hard to disagree with any of those, Steve. I think you'll get some pushback at slot (SMoss is my guy as well) and possibly CB. My guy is PBuch,
 
Dan Morgan at OLB? No way I'm letting that one slide Mr. Kim! I saw the Bermuda Triangle with my own eyes for several years - as did you - so you gotta roll with Armstead at that other OLB. Althugh I will give you props (sort of) for sticking with the traditional 4-3 layout. And in fairness to you, how else are you going to get Ray Lewis and Dan Morgan on the field together at the same time?
 
Dan Morgan at OLB? No way I'm letting that one slide Mr. Kim! I saw the Bermuda Triangle with my own eyes for several years - as did you - so you gotta roll with Armstead at that other OLB. Althugh I will give you props (sort of) for sticking with the traditional 4-3 layout. And in fairness to you, how else are you going to get Ray Lewis and Dan Morgan on the field together at the same time?

Yeah, I fudged that one a little, bit LOL. But keep this in mind, it wasn't till his senior year that Morgan moved to the mike spot because of the unexpected departure of Nate Webster
 
Hard to disagree with any of those, Steve. I think you'll get some pushback at slot (SMoss is my guy as well) and possibly CB. My guy is PBuch,

yeah, thing is Santana wasn't really a slot, he was an outside receiver, just short. But Ive said for awhile, in the modern game, if he was moved around he'd be unreal
I hear you. I think the more interesting argument is who is the WR3, regardless of WR position. Moss, Wayne, AJ, et al. Lots of choices
 
This is a legit list, so arguments are few & minor.

Agree with Kelly, though best pure arm was Testaverde.

Cici needs an OT spot or push him inside to guard. Day One starter as freshman & program changer.

LB selections were tough, but Morgan has to be one. If it’s just college, then would argue he was more impactful than Lewis.

Finally, no modern era team is complete without Bosher. We were so bad & he so good ended up team MVP. Do every thing kicker as well as our toughest, best coverage guy.
 
Great list from the master.

I can’t object, but i do question…
Searcy over Cici. Searcy was great, and i loved him as a Steeler as well but I take Cici for the sheer power and people moving ability.

Shockey over Bubba Franks. I think Bubba gets forgotten because those were some lean years but he did it all at such a high level (like Shockey).

DT had to be hard to pick but leaving out Kennedy, Maryland and Wilfork! Though I don’t know who I would replace from your list.

Huerta was very good but FG kicking is just so much better now than in the 80’s and 90’s. I think Borregales is the best we’ve ever had, especially when factoring in range.
 
Last edited:
This is a legit list, so arguments are few & minor.

Agree with Kelly, though best pure arm was Testaverde.

Cici needs an OT spot or push him inside to guard. Day One starter as freshman & program changer.

LB selections were tough, but Morgan has to be one. If it’s just college, then would argue he was more impactful than Lewis.

Finally, no modern era team is complete without Bosher. We were so bad & he so good ended up team MVP. Do every thing kicker as well as our toughest, best coverage guy.
Far too many people don't appreciate just how good Testaverde was. The lasting memory is that crap Fiesta Bowl. For any of the unaware, go back and watch us vs Oklahoma in 1985 and again in 1986.

Bye Bye Bosworth....
 
Great list from the master.

I can’t object, but i do question…
Searcy over Cici. Searcy as great, and i loved him as a Steeler as well but I take Cici for the sheer power and people moving ability.

Shockey over Bubba Franks. I think Bubba gets forgotten because those were some lean years but he did it all at such a high level (like Shockey).

DT had to be hard to pick but leaving out Kennedy, Maryland and Wilfork! Though I don’t know who I would replace from your list.

Huerta was very good but FG kicking is just so much better now than in the 80’s and 90’s. I think Borregales is the best we’ve ever had, especially when factoring in range.
Bubba Franks was the one I was questioning. Moss in a spread offense would have been unreal to watch.
 
Here it is, my (all-post-1980) Miami Hurricanes team. I will discuss this tomorrow on the podcast with D-Money.

I decided to stick with the players I really got to see a lot of. Guys like Jim Otto, Ted Hendricks, George Mira, Chuck Foreman, Dennis Harrah, Ottis Anderson are certainly all-time great Hurricanes, but I really didn't get to see them play on a regular basis.

I did this basically off the top of my head, so I reserve the right to change my mind. Also, I based this on their careers at the University of Miami. What they did in the NFL was not really factored in. Later on I might do a full all-time 85 player Hurricane roster.

But my list/team isn't just about stats (although production absolutely matters), but game-to-game impact. Which guys do I want representing Miami going into a big game? Those are the things that were considered. With the proviso that I can always change my mind based on new information

And keep this in mind, I'm just a fan with an opinion. That's it. Please feel free to disagree....

QB- Jim Kelly - the most important player in program history --and best pure arm talent. 'QB U' of the 80's began with him, and without him, the dynasty of that decade never launches. I will die on this hill.

RB- Edgerrin James -- best all-around 3-down back in program history. Key building block of the Butch Davis rebuild. Who can forget that UCLA game?

FB- Alonzo Highsmith -- was drafted #3 as a fullback. Could've been a top five pick on either side of the ball.

OT- Bryant McKinnie -- the blindside of Ken Dorsey was never a concern with Mt McKinnie

OG- Chris Myers -- hard-nosed scrapper inside

C- KC Jones - four year starter, and a personal favorite of Art Kehoe

OG- Richard Mercier -- this former mogul skier was the best pulling guard in program history

OT - Leon Searcy -- it's either him or Cici Mauignoa.

TE- Jeremy Shockey -- so many blue-chippers at this spot, but Shockey was both an elite pass catcher and a tenacious blocker

WR- Eddie Brown -- an absolute game breaker who made so many big plays in the 83 national title run

WR- Michael Irvin -- 'the Playmaker', what else needs to be said?

Slot WR - Xavier Restrepo: X was incredibly productive, but Malachi Toney is just getting started. And I want to note, if Miami played in a spread in his days, Santana Moss might be my guy, here. But 'the Carol City Comet' would be in my all-time Miami WR room in ANY system.

K- Carlos Huerta: 'the Ice Man' was Mr Reliable in the clutch

KR- Devin Hester: Miami has had some great returners, but Hester has to be the choice, here

ST - Tremain Mack : tough to leave out Bubba McDowell but Mack won games with his special teams work

DEFENSE

DE - Danny Stubbs -- still the all-time program leader in sacks

DT- Warren Sapp -- his 1994 campaign is one of the five greatest individual seasons for a Hurricane

DT - Jerome Brown -- the tone setter for the 80's renegade Canes. Great speaker at Steak Fry's, too

DE - Rueben Bain -- one of the foundations of the Cristobal rebuild, best ever at setting the edge in the run game.

OLB - Darrin Smith -- the most complete outside 'backer I've seen at Miami

MLB - Ray Lewis -- was a tackling machine from day one

OLB- Dan Morgan -- one of the most decorated defenders in UM history for his 2000 season

CB - Ryan McNeil -- sound and reliable every game

CB - Antrel Rolle -- the physical prototype who muscled receivers

Slot /Nickel CB- Keionte Scott -- 'Agent O' might have been on his way to the Thorpe Award before his injury last season. This is a relatively new full-time position, I was tempted to put Phillip Buchanon, here, because I think he would've been a great slot corner, but he didn't really play this spot.

S - Ed Reed -- a no-brainer

S - Sean Taylor -- another easy choice. Was robbed of the 2003 Thorpe Award

P - Jeff Feagles -- it's either him or Lou Hedley.

Coach - Jimmy Johnson
Athletic Director - Sam Jankovich
School President - Joe Echevarria
Sebastian the Ibis - John Routh
Cheerleader - Yamma Yamma
Stadium - the Orange Bowl
Jacket - Starter
Team Travel Gear -- Fatigues
Man can you imagine Santana in the slot in this offense?
 
Back
Top