Miami All-Americans
AL CARAPELLA (T, 1950)
Was Miami’s first first-team All-America selection by Associated Press…a converted fullback, Carapella became a star on the defensive line…led Miami to a 9-0-1 record and a berth in the 1951 Orange Bowl (New Year’s Day)…native of Tuckahoe, New York.
JIM DOOLEY (HB, 1951)
Named first-team All-America by Associated Press…first player at Miami to have his jersey retired (42)…was a 60-minute player for the Canes…started both ways as a junior and senior…set several season and career interception marks…topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark in his UM career…set UM bowl record with four interceptions vs. Clemson in 1952 Gator Bowl…member of Gator Bowl Hall of Fame…UM’s first first-round selection into the NFL (Chicago Bears)…head coach of the Chicago Bears from 1968-71 (20-36, .357)…native of Miami, Florida.
NICK CHICKILLO (G, 1952)
Named first-team All-America by Associated Press…a two-way player for the Hurricanes at tackle and guard…speed, quickness and durability enabled Chickillo to get downfield and deliver blocks…native of West Scranton, Pennsylvania.
FRANK McDONALD (E, 1954)
Named first-team All-America by The Sporting News…led the Hurricanes in pass receiving in each of the 1952-54 seasons…finished his UM career with 69 receptions for 855 yards…as a sophomore, McDonald accumulated his highest yardage total catching 32 passes for 418 yards…seventh-round draftee of the Baltimore Colts…native of Nutley, New Jersey.
DON BOSSELER (FB, 1956)
Received first-team All-America accolades from Associated Press…rushed for 1,642 yards which ranked second all-time at the end of his UM career…rushed for 723 yards on 161 carries and scored four touchdowns as a senior…first-round draftee of the Washington Redskins (ninth-pick overall and third running back behind Jim Brown and Paul Hornung) in the 1957 NFL Draft…left the Redskins after the 1964 season as Washington’s all-time leading rusher (3,112 yards)…inducted in the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in December, 1990…native of Batavia, New York.
FRAN CURCI (QB, 1959)
Was named first-team All-America by Associated Press…also garnered Academic All-American honors…had 1,328 yards in total offense as a senior…in 1959, completed 100 of 195 passes for 1,068 yards…led the Canes in punt returns (7 for 46 yards)…played one season for the Dallas Texans of the AFL before being called to the Armed Services…served as UM’s head football coach for the 1971 and 1972 seasons finishing with a record of 9-13 (.409) …was head football coach at the University of Kentucky from 1973-81, compiling a 47-51-2 record and leading the Wildcats to the 1976 Southeastern Conference title, UK’s first since 1950 and its only SEC crown since then…member of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame…native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
BILL MILLER (WR, 1960 & 1961)
Was a consensus All-America in 1961…named first-team All-America by Associated Press, United Press International, Newspaper Enterprise Association, The Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America and the American Football Coaches Association as a senior…became the first UM junior to earn first-team All-America honors in 1960 (Football Writers Association of America) when he caught 26 passes for 413 yards and five touchdowns…third-round draftee of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and second-round pick of the Dallas Texans (AFL)…native of McKeesport, Pennsylvania.
GEORGE MIRA, SR. (QB, 1962 & 1963)
Named first-team All-America by Look Magazine (Football Writers Association of America), Associated Press and CBS Television…one of only four players in UM football history to have his jersey retired (10)…finished fifth in the 1962 Heisman Trophy balloting…rewrote the UM record book, before the current run of QBs came along…led the nation in total offense as a senior (2,318 yards)…tied an NCAA record for career pass completions (368, Don Klosterman of Loyola, California)…named Amateur Athlete of the Year in the state of Florida by the Florida Sportswriters Association in 1962…nicknamed “The Matador”…second round draftee of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers…also played with the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins and Birmingham of the defunct World Football League…member of Florida Sports Hall of Fame…native of Key West, Florida.
DAN CONNERS (T, 1963)
Received first-team All-America accolades from The Sporting News…played both ways for the Hurricanes…on defense, he established a UM total tackles record (64) as a senior…finished his UM career with 202 total tackles…second-round draftee of the AFL’s Oakland Raiders…still with the Raider organization in player personnel…native of St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania.
ED WEISACOSKY (DE, 1965)
Received first-team All-America accolades from Associated Press…still holds the UM mark for most total tackles in a season (164, 1965) and solo tackles (112, 1965)…tallied 297 total tackles in his UM career…sixth-round draftee of the Miami Dolphins…eight-year veteran of pro football (Giants, 49ers, Patriots and Dolphins)…native of Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
TOM BEIER (DB, 1966)
Was named a consensus All-America following UM’s 1966 (8-2-1) campaign…first-team All-America by Newspaper Enterprise Association, Associated Press, United Press International, Football Writers Association of America, America Football Coaches Association, Central Press and New York Daily News…still holds the UM record for career tackles by a cornerback (120) and the season mark for tackles by a CB (73)…tenth-round draftee of the Miami Dolphins…native of Fremont, Ohio.
TED HENDRICKS (DE, 1966, 1967 & 1968)
Was Miami’s second inductee (Jim Otto) into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1990) after playing for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers…one of four UM inductees in the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame…was a three-time University of Miami All-American…the only football player in the history of the school to receive All-America acclaim three consecutive years…one of only four players in UM football history to have his jersey retired (89)…as a senior in 1968, was named United Press International Lineman of the Year; Washington Touchdown Club Knute Rockne Memorial Award recipient in 1968…a consensus All-American in 1967 and 1968…named first-team All-America by UPI, AP, FWAA, Newspaper Enterprise Association, The Football News, The Sporting News, Time magazine, Central Press, The New York Daily News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation in ’68…finished fifth in the 1968 Heisman Trophy balloting…still holds the career all-time UM mark for tackles by a defensive end (227) and fumble recoveries (12)…had a UM season-record five fumble recoveries in 1968…second-round draftee of the Baltimore Colts in 1969…native of Miami, Florida.
HAROLD SEARS (LB, 1971)
Named first-team All-America by Associated Press…named Associated Press Lineman of the Week for his 26-tackle (21 solos) performance vs. Notre Dame (October 9, 1971)…recorded 117 total tackles as a senior…served as a Navy radio man for 15 months in Vietnam at Cam Ranh Bay…native of Glendale, California.
CHUCK FOREMAN (RB, 1972)
Named first-team All-America by The Sporting News…ranks fifth all-time on the UM charts with 3,365 all-purpose yards…had five career 100-yard rushing performances, returned 42 kickoffs for 882 yards and accumulated 17 touchdowns…ranks fourth and sixth all-time for all-purpose yards in a season (1,555 in 1972 and 1,467 in 1971)…finished his UM career rushing for 1,631 yards and caught 56 passes for 732 yards…a first-round draftee of the Minnesota Vikings…native of Frederick, Maryland.
BURGESS OWENS (DB, 1972)
Named first-team All-America by Time magazine and The Sporting News…earned first-team All-South Independent team honors…recorded 160 tackles, eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries in his Miami career…most valuable defensive player of the 1973 Senior Bowl…first-round draftee of the New York Jets…native of Tallahassee, Florida.
TONY CRISTIANI (MG, 1972 & 1973)
Named first-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America and the Walter Camp Football Foundation…named first-team All-South Independent by Associated Press…had 279 total tackles at UM…as a senior, tallied 102 total tackles…in 1972, recorded 84 tackles including 15 quarterback sacks…native of Brandon, Florida.
RUBIN CARTER (MG, 1974)
Was first-team All-America by United Press International and Kodak…named first-team All-South Independent by Associated Press in 1973 and 1974…ended his career with 306 total tackles…holds the UM school mark for tackles in a season by a defensive tackle (98, 1973) and is tied for seventh in total tackles in a season with 147…fifth-round draftee of the Denver Broncos…native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
DENNIS HARRAH (OT, 1974)
Received first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News and Time magazine…named first-team All-South Independent by Associated Press in 1973 and 1974…first-round draftee of the Los Angeles Rams…native of Charleston, West Virginia.
EDDIE EDWARDS (DT, 1976)
Was first-team All-America by The Sporting News…played in the 1977 Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl…winner of the Jack Harding Memorial MVP Award in 1976…averaged 13 tackles and had a team-leading 11 sacks as a senior…high school teammate of fellow UM All-American Don Latimer…first-round draftee of the Cincinnati Bengals…native of Fort Pierce, Florida.
DON LATIMER (MG, 1977)
Named first-team All-America by The Sporting News…played in the 1978 Blue-Gray Classic and Senior Bowl…set a UM record with 15 QB sacks as a senior…high school teammate of Eddie Edwards…first-round draftee of the Denver Broncos…native of Fort Pierce, Florida.
DON SMITH (DT, 1978)
Received first-team All-America accolades from Kodak and The Sporting News…named to the Associated Press All-South Independent team…pre-season Playboy All-America in 1978…in 1977, named first-team AP All-South Independent and winner of the Jack Harding Memorial MVP Award…first-round draftee of the Atlanta Falcons…native of Palm Harbor, Florida.
JIM BURT (MG, 1980)
Was named first-team All-America by the Newspaper Enterprise Association…member of the All-South Independent team by Associated Press…1981 Peach Bowl Most Valuable Player (Defensive)…holds the UM all-time record for fumble recoveries in a game with four versus Vanderbilt (November 15, 1980)…all-time career record holder for tackles by a middle guard (177) and assists by a middle guard (86)…signed as a free agent by the New York Giants…won Super Bowl championships as a member of the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers…native of Orchard Park, New York.
FRED MARION (DB, 1981)
Received first-team All-America honors by United Press International, Kodak and The Football News…holds the UM career mark for most assists by a safety (152)…held the UM career mark for interceptions (16 for 170 yards) and consecutive games with an interception (4), until broken by Bennie Blades (1984-87)…had a team-leading seven interceptions during the 1980 campaign…fifth-round draftee of the New England Patriots…native of Gainesville, Florida.
DANNY MILLER (K, 1981)
Named first-team All-America by The Football News and the Mizlou Sports Network…first-team All-South Independent…kicked the longest field goal in UM history (57 yards) at Florida State on November 7, 1981…most remembered for his 55-yard field goal (2nd longest all-time) off the right upright to defeat Florida, 21-20, in 1981…11th-round draftee of the Washington Redskins…native of Clewiston, Florida.
LESTER WILLIAMS (DT, 1981)
Received first-team All-America honors by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Playboy, Kodak, and Mizlou…named first-team All-America and Lineman of the Year by Parade magazine…holds the UM career record for most tackles by a defensive tackle (210)…tallied 76 tackles, including 58 solos, five sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior…first-round draftee of the New England Patriots…native of Miami, Florida.
JAY BROPHY (LB, 1983)
Named first-team All-America by The Football News…named first-team All-South Independent as a senior and junior…led the Miami defense to its inaugural football national championship in 1983…tallied 308 total tackles in his UM career…had 133 tackles in 1983, and 135 in ’82 to lead the team…second-round draftee of the Miami Dolphins…native of Akron, Ohio.
EDDIE BROWN (WR, 1984)
Earned first-team All-America honors from Associated Press and Kodak…set a UM single-game receiving yardage record with 220 on 10 catches versus Boston College in 1984…became the first Hurricanes receiver to surpass 1,000 yards in a season by catching 59 passes for 1,114 yards in 1984…ended his career with 1,754 yards (on 89 receptions) and 13 TDs, school records at the time…first-round draftee of the Cincinnati Bengals…native of Miami, Florida.
WILLIE SMITH (TE, 1985)
Earned first-team All-America honors by Walter Camp, Kodak and Associated Press and ranked as the most prolific pass receiver in Hurricanes history…in two seasons, caught 114 passes, best ever by a Hurricanes tight end…set reception records for a season (66, 1984) and a single game (12 vs. Maryland, 1984)…10th-round draftee of the Cleveland Browns…native of Jacksonville, Florida.
JEROME BROWN (DT, 1986)
Earned consensus first-team All-America…finalist for the 1986 Outland Trophy and for the Lombardi Award…finished UM career with 183 total stops, including 21 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, five fumbles caused and four fumble recoveries…recorded four New Year’s Day starting assignments: ’84 Orange Bowl, ’85 Fiesta Bowl, ’86 Sugar Bowl and ’87 Fiesta Bowl…first-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles…native of Brooksville, Florida.
VINNY TESTAVERDE (QB, 1986)
Won the following awards: Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Washington, D.C., Touchdown Club College Athlete of the Year, consensus All-American status in 1986…only the fourth player in UM football history to have his number (14) retired…as a starter, led Miami to a 21-1 regular season mark…ranks third in all-time passing yardage (6,058); tied for second in touchdown passes thrown (48) with Steve Walsh…most memorable performance was in Miami’s 28-16 victory over top-ranked Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl in 1986, completing 75 percent of his passes (21 of 28) for 261 yards and four touchdowns…first player chosen in the 1987 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers…currently plays for the New York Jets…native of Elmont, New York.
BENNIE BLADES (DB, 1986 & 1987)
Was named first-team All-America by the Associated Press, Kodak, United Press International, The Sporting News, The Walter Camp Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America as a senior in 1987…named to the AP and UPI first teams in 1986…as a senior, was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award recognizing the nation’s premier defensive back…ended his career as UM’s all-time leader for interceptions (19) and interception return yards (305)…also set UM records for consecutive games with an interception (5); total tackles by a safety (286) and unassisted tackles by a safety (155)…in 1986, led the nation in interceptions (.91 per game)…first-round draftee of the Detroit Lions (3rd pick overall)…native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
DANIEL STUBBS (DE, 1987)
Was named first-team All-America by the Associated Press, Kodak, United Press International, The Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America…named one of three finalists for the 1987 Outland Trophy…one of four finalists for the 1987 Lombardi Trophy…UM’s all-time sack leader with 39.5 career sacks…recorded 267 total tackles and 25 tackles for loss as a Hurricane…second-round draftee of the San Francisco 49ers…native of Red Bank, New Jersey.
CLEVELAND GARY (RB, 1988)
Was named a first-team All-America by The Football News…as a senior in 1988, was the Hurricanes’ statistical leader in receptions (57 catches) and rushing (480 yards), while ranking second in receiving (655 yards) and scoring (66 points)…his 57 receptions are most by a UM running back…finished his UM career rushing for 650 yards on 142 carries and 12 TD’s and caught 67 passes for 794 yards and six scores…first-round draftee of the Los Angeles Rams…native of Indiantown, Florida.
BILL HAWKINS (DE, 1988)
Earned first-team All-America honors from ESPN, Kodak and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, while earning second-team recognition by The Football News and the Associated Press…was selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the 1988 Lombardi Award…earned his Bachelor’s degree in business as a junior and was a M.B.A. candidate as a senior…finished his career with 223 total tackles, 22 sacks and 18 tackles for loss…first-round draftee of the Los Angeles Rams…native of Hollywood, Florida.
STEVE WALSH (QB, 1988)
Named The Football News College Player of the Year as a junior…selected first-team All-America by the Associated Press, ESPN and the Football Writers Association of America in his junior year…finished fourth in the 1988 Heisman Trophy balloting and was named to the AP All-South Independent first team…as a starter recorded a 23-1 overall record…finished his UM career tied for first in touchdown passes (48) with Vinny Testaverde…as a sophomore, in his first year as a starter, led UM to a 12-0 mark and a national championship (1987)…upon graduation, decided to pass up his final year of eligibility and was a first-round draftee of the Dallas Cowboys (supplemental draft)…native of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Greg Mark (DE, 1989)
Was named to the Associated Press and Kodak All-American teams anchoring the nation’s top-ranked defensive line…was one of 12 Lombardi Award semifinalists, while also being named the South Jersey and New Jersey College Football Player of the Year…finished his Hurricane career with 253 tackles, 95 quarterback pressures and 34.5 total sacks…third-round draftee of New York Giants…currently the defensive line coach for the Hurricanes…native of Pennsauken, New Jersey.
MAURICE CRUM (LB, 1990)
Earned first-team All-America status by the Associated Press, Walter Camp Foundation and The Football News…one of five finalists for the 1990 Butkus Award, saluting the nation’s top linebacker…led the team in tackles in 1988, 1989 and 1990…finished his UM career with 354 stops…played on the Hurricanes baseball team for one-and-a-half seasons…signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers…native of Tampa, Florida.
RUSSELL MARYLAND (DT, 1990)
Was the first UM player to win the coveted Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman…a consensusAll-American, Maryland was recognized as a first-team choice by AP, UPI, Kodak, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, The Football News and The Sporting News as a senior…UPI lineman of the year…finished his Hurricanes career with 279 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks…an Iron Arrow recipient…first player chosen in the 1991 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys…native of Chicago, Illinois.
CARLOS HUERTA (K, 1991)
Developed from a walk-on as a freshman in 1988 to being named consensus All-America (Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, The Football News, The Sporting News) and first-team All-BIG EAST as a senior in 1991…set an NCAA record by converting 157 consecutive PATs during his career as a four-year starter…ranks among the NCAA’s all-time scoring leaders with 397 career points, including 73 field goals…set 12 school records and tied one…an Iron Arrow recipient…12th-round draftee of the San Diego Chargers…native of Miami, Florida.
LEON SEARCY (OT, 1991)
Earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, and second-team All-American by The Sporting News, The Football News and Associated Press…first-team All-BIG EAST…started every game his last three seasons…first-round pick (11th overall) of the Pittsburgh Steelers…native of Orlando, Florida.
DARRIN SMITH (LB, 1991 & 1992)
Named first-team UPI All-American as a senior…became UM’s first National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete recipient…1992 first-team All-BIG EAST and semi-finalist for the Butkus Award for the second straight year…as a junior was named first-team All-American by The Football News, earned second-team honors by the Associated Press and was co-Defensive Player of the Year in the BIG EAST….finished career as fourth-leading tackler in UM history…had 18 tackles (ten solo) against FSU as a junior…second-round draftee of the Dallas Cowboys…native of Miami, Florida.
DARRYL WILLIAMS (FS, 1991)
Earned first-team All-America status by Associated Press, Kodak, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation as a junior in 1991…named second-team All-American by The Sporting News…first-team All-BIG EAST…led the secondary with 84 tackles (49 solo) in 1991…had three interceptions, including a 27-yard touchdown return against San Diego State…added 18 tackles (10 solo) against Florida State…first-round draftee (28th overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals…native of Miami, Florida.
KEVIN WILLIAMS (WR/KR, 1991)
Named first-team All-American and Kickoff Returner of the Year by The Sporting News and Punt Returner of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America as a sophomore…the BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year in 1991 and first-team All-BIG EAST…had three consecutive games with punt returns for TDs, just one shy of the NCAA record…totaled 217 return yards on seven attempts against Penn State, including a 91-yard punt return for a TD, the longest in Miami history…had 1,183 all-purpose yards in 1991…netted 560 yards on 36 punt returns, a 15.6 yard average (fourth best in the NCAA)…second-round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 1992…native of Dallas, Texas.
MICHEAL BARROW (LB, 1992)
Named first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and The Football News…a unanimous selection as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year…runner-up for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s best linebacker…finished seventh in 1992 Heisman Trophy voting with 64 points…led the team with 136 tackles (80 solo) as a senior…led UM with 19 tackles (14 solo) and three stops for loss against Penn State, including a memorable tackle for loss on fourth-and-one on the Miami five-yard line…finished career as the third-leading tackler in Miami history…second-round draftee of the Houston Oilers…currently plays for the New York Giants…native of Homestead, Florida.
RYAN McNEIL (DB, 1992)
Named first-team All-American by Kodak, Walter Camp and The Football News…named All-BIG EAST by the coaches two consecutive years…semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back…recorded 36 tackles (23 solo) and two interceptions as a senior, returning one for a 36-yard TD against San Diego State…second-round draftee of the Detroit Lions…native of Fort Pierce, Florida.
GINO TORRETTA (QB, 1992)
Became only second player in Miami history to win the Heisman Trophy…named first-team All-American by The Football News and was the Walter Camp Player of the Year on the way to becoming the most honored player in school history…earned Associated Press, Kodak, Walter Camp and The Football News All-America status…also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Maxwell Trophy and the Davey O’Brien national quarterback award…unanimous selection as BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992…NCAA Today’s Top Six Award winner, Hitachi/CFA Scholar Athlete Award winner, Toyota Leadership Award winner and Chevrolet offensive player of the year…finished Miami career with 11 school passing records, including career attempts (991), completions (555), yards (7,690), total offense (7,772), longest pass (99 yards), longest pass for a TD (99 yards to Horace Copeland at Arkansas, also an NCAA record), and most passing yards in a game (485 vs. San Diego St.)…seventh-round draftee of the Minnesota Vikings…native of Pinole, California.
KEVIN PATRICK (DE, 1993)
Earned first-team All-American honors from both the Associated Press and Kodak…named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year his senior campaign and was a first-team All-BIG EAST selection in both his junior and senior years…started 19 consecutive regular-season games and totaled 30 career starts…recorded 23 career sacks for 175 yards…led Miami his final year in both sacks (10 for a loss of 70 yards) and tackles for loss (11 for a loss of 21 yards)…signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Rams…native of Lake Worth, Florida.
C.J. RICHARDSON (S, 1994)
Named first-team All-American by the Associated Press and first-team All-BIG EAST Conference…a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award…leader of the UM defensive backs that ranked No. 1 in the NCAA for pass defense…named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week vs. Syracuse and BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Arizona State…instrumental in a streak of 18 straight quarters in which the UM defense did not give up a touchdown…finished the season with 85 total tackles, including 48 solo…seventh-round draft pick of the Houston Oilers…native of Dallas, Texas.
WARREN SAPP (DT, 1994)
A consensus All-American and the first UM player to win the Rotary Lombardi Award, given annually to the nation’s top lineman, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation’s top defensive player…one of six finalists invited to the Downtown Athletic Club for the Heisman Trophy presentation…named Defensive Player of the Year by ABC Sports, Sports Illustrated, Football Writers Association of America, The Football News, Touchdown Club of Atlanta, Touchdown Club of Columbus and The BIG EAST Football Conference…led a Miami defense that ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense…earned Player of the Game honors from ABC vs. Washington, BIG EAST Network vs. Rutgers and ESPN vs. Florida State…had 84 tackles his junior year and led the Canes in sacks (10.5), tackles for loss (9), fumbles caused (4), fumble recoveries (3), and quarterback pressures (25)…first-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12th overall)…native of Plymouth, Florida.
RAY LEWIS (LB, 1995)
Was named first-team All-American by the Associated Press…one of three finalists for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker, and came within one vote of tying Illinois senior Kevin Hardy for the trophy…entered the season as a member of the Playboy All-America Team…a unanimous selection as first-team All-BIG EAST by a vote of the conference head coaches…started all three of his years at UM, never taking a redshirt year…led the Miami defense in tackles in both his sophomore and junior seasons, setting consecutive records for solo tackles by a MLB with 91 in 1994 and 95 in 1995…total tackle numbers of 152 in 1994 and 160 in 1995 rank fourth and second in the UM annals for tackles in a season at all positions…led Miami in tackles for an incredible 22 consecutive games…first-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens (26th overall), leading the team to the Super Bowl title in 2000…native of Lakeland, Florida.
K.C. JONES (C, 1996)
Garnered Associated Press first-team All-America honors…three-time first-team All-BIG EAST selection…a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, presented annually to the nation’s top offensive or defensive lineman or linebacker…Outland Trophy semifinalist, given to the nation’s best interior lineman…one of the most talented offensive linemen to ever play at Miami…four-year starter at center…battled through knee injuries to start 41 games during career…his performance and effort grades are unprecedented in UM history…intense competitor who once ripped the face mask off the helmet of a defensive teammate during practice…signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos…native of Midland, Texas.
RICHARD MERCIER (OG, 1999)
Earned first-team All-American honors from The Sporting News…a two-time All-BIG EAST first-team selection…one of the most dominating offensive linemen in Miami history…was the team leader in pancake blocks during both his junior and senior campaigns…tied Mike Sullivan for the UM record in career starts (48)…played every down for Miami over his final two seasons…invited to play in the Senior Bowl, Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game and the Florida Citrus All-Star Gridiron Classic…a fifth-round draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens…native of Montreal, Quebec.
DANIEL “BUBBA” FRANKS (TE, 1999)
Was named a first-team All-American by both The Football News and The Sporting News…two-time first-team All-BIG EAST selection…won the Compaq Play of the Week for his Touchdown catch against Syracuse on Nov. 27, 1999…recorded 77 career receptions for 1,038 yards and 12 touchdowns…started 30 of his 34 career games at UM…also voted Associated Press second-team All-American…first-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers (14th overall)…native of Big Spring, Texas.
Dan Morgan (LB, 2000)
The first player in college football history to win the Butkus Award (top linebacker), Nagurski Award (college defensive player of the year) and the Bednarik Award (top defensive player) in the same season…named a first-team All-American by every national service, including Associated Press, Football Writers Association, The Football News, The Sporting News, Walter Camp, and the National Football Foundation…named National Defensive Player of the Week after a 17-tackle outing (14 unassisted stops) in a victory over Florida State in 2000…a unanimous selection for BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year…a three-time first-team All-BIG EAST selection…set a new Miami career record for tackles in a career with 532 (also a BIG EAST career mark)…a first-round (12th pick) selection of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers in the 2001 Draft…native of Coral Springs, Florida.
Santana Moss (WR/PR, 2000)
A consensus first-team All-America as a senior…finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2000, receiving three first-place votes…the 2000 BIG EAST Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year (the only player in league history to win both awards in the same year)…set Miami school records for receiving yards (2,546), all-purpose yards (4,402), punt return yards (1,196), and punt return touchdowns (6)…returned four punts for touchdowns during the 2000 season…a unanimous first-team All-BIG EAST selection in 2000…a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) in 2000…originally attended UM on a track scholarship…a first-round (16th pick) selection by the New York Jets in the 2001 NFL Draft…native of Miami, Florida.
Joaquin Gonzalez (OT, 2000 & 2001)
Was named a first-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America in 2000 and 2001…also named first-team All-America by CNNSI.com in 2001…also earned second-team All-America by College Football News in 2000 and 2001 and by ABC Sports in 2001…also earned District 3 Academic All-America recognition as a junior…named winner of the 2001 Draddy Award, the “Academic Heisman” by the National Football Foundation, the nation’s highest honor bestowed a football scholar-athlete…was a key member of offensive lines that allowed only five quarterback sacks in more than 650 passing plays over the span of the 2000 and 2001 seasons…a two-time first-team All-BIG EAST selection in 2000-2001…only offensive lineman in BIG EAST history to earn the conference’s Rookie of the Year Award in 1998…a walk-on who attended UM on an academic scholarship before earning a football grant-in-aid…a member of Iron Arrow fraternity…graduated with honors with a degree in business marketing in December, 2000, and attained his MBA from Miami in December, 2001…native of Miami, Florida.
Bryant McKinnie (OT, 2000 & 2001)
The 2001 Outland Trophy winner as college football’s outstanding interior lineman…one of the most decorated offensive linemen in UM history…named a first-team All-American by The Football News in 2000 and a consensus first-team All-American by every national service in 2001 including Associated Press, Football Writers Association, The Football News, The Sporting News, Walter Camp, and the National Football Foundation…the 2001 National Player of the Year by CNNSI.com…the 2001 College Football Offensive Player of the Year by Football News…did not allow a quarterback sack during his entire UM career…a two-time unanimous first-team All-BIG EAST selection at left tackle…named a midseason All-American by CNNSI.com after a flawless performance in Miami’s 27-24 win over top-ranked Florida State…native of Woodbury, New Jersey.
Edward Reed (SS, 2000 & 2001)
A consensus first-team All-America selection in 2000 and 2001…one of college football’s finest defenders over the 2000 and 2001 seasons…a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Associated Press, The Football News, The Sporting News, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) both years…consensus first-team All-BIG EAST in 2000 and 2001…set new UM career records for interception (21) and interception return yards (389)…picked off 17 passes over the course of the 2000 and 2001 seasons…intercepted nine aerials in 2001 (the second-best total in UM history)…intercepted eight passes (the third-best single-season total in UM history)…returned interceptions for touchdowns five times in his UM career…produced turnovers of blocked kicks that led to 106 points in his UM career…key factor in a defense that recorded a UM record 45 takeaways during the 2001 national championship season…one of the finest all-around talents ever to play defensive back for the Hurricanes, Reed also excelled in track and field, winning the javelin at the 1999 BIG EAST Outdoor Track & Field Championships…a native of St. Rose, Louisiana.
Phillip Buchanon (CB/PR, 2001)
Standout cornerback/return specialist who was named a first team All-America as a punt return specialist by ABC Sports in 2001…named the BIG EAST Conference Special Teams Player of the Year in 2001…a unanimous first-team All-BIG EAST selection in 2001…chose to enter the NFL Draft following his junior season in 2001…led the BIG EAST Conference and ranked sixth nationally in punt returns with an average of 14.9 yards per return…returned punts for 464 yards on 15 attempts in 2001, the fourth-best single-season average in UM history…finished his UM career seventh in total punt return yards (477)…returned two punts for touchdowns in 2001, a 56-yard return against Rutgers and a 52-yarder against Temple…also had a 59-yard return against Syracuse and a 40-yarder against West Virginia…one of three finalists for the Mosi Tatupu Award, presented to college football’s finest Special Teams performer…scored five touchdowns via returns in his UM career – two punt returns, two interception returns and one fumble return…averaged 36.3 yards per punt return against Temple in 2001, taking three kicks for 109 yards (the eight-most in UM history)…intercepted five passes, averaging 31.4 yards per interception return, in the 2001 season…native of Fort Myers, Florida.
Jeremy Shockey (TE, 2001)
Named a first team All-America by CNNSI.com in 2001…one of three finalists for the 2001 John Mackey Award for the nation’s finest tight end…left the program after his junior season in 2001 to apply for the NFL Draft…a unanimous first team All-BIG EAST selection in 2001 by the league’s coaches…was a two-time first team All-BIG EAST pick, earning the honor as a junior in 2000 despite not starting a game…led UM in catches in 2001 with 40 for 519 yards (13.0 avg.) and seven touchdowns…finished his career with 61 catches for 815 yards and 10 touchdowns…ranks among UM’s most productive tight ends ever in catches (sixth), receiving yards (sixth) and touchdowns (tied for second)…was a major factor in UM’s most significant wins in the 2000 and 2001 seasons, catching decisive scoring catches against Florida State, Virginia Tech, Florida (2001 Sugar Bowl) and Nebraska (2002 Rose Bowl)…his game-winning touchdown catch against Florida State in 2000 made him a Miami legend and a national star…the leading receiver in Miami’s drive to the 2001 national championship…signed with Miami as an unheralded player out of Northeast Oklahoma A&M Junior College in the summer of 2000…was discovered by then-offensive coordinator Larry Coker at NEO…native of Ada, Oklahoma.
Todd Sievers (K, 2001)
Selected a first team All-America CNNSI.com in 2001…was a second-team All-America by The Sporting News, ABC Sports in 2001…overcame diabetes to become one of college football’s outstanding kickers…a first team All-BIG EAST selection in 2001…led the nation and the BIG EAST in field goals made per game (1.9 avg.) in 2001…twice named BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking four field goals in wins over Penn State and Boston College…also kicked four field goals in a close win over Virginia Tech to clinch a Rose Bowl berth…matched the school single-game field goals record with those three outings of four attempts made…ranked fourth in the nation in scoring with 119 points (10.82 avg.)…set a new UM single-season scoring record for overall points and kicking points in 2001…tied the school record for field goals made in a season with 21…was 21-of-26 (80.8 percent) on field goals in 2001…enters his senior season ranked among the all-time UM kicking leaders in career field goals made (sixth, 32), scoring (eight, 204) and kicking points (sixth, 204)…was fourth in voting for the Lou Groza Award in 2001, awarded college football’s outstanding placekicker…made a career-long 48-yard field goal against Syracuse…native of Ankeny, Iowa.
Ken Dorsey (QB, 2002)
A first-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Walter Camp Football Foundation…a two-time Heisman Trophy Finalist (3rd in 2001, 5th in 2002)…the BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2001 & 2002…a three-time first-team All-BIG EAST selection (2000-2002)…led UM on a 34-game win streak…led UM to the 2001 national championship…led UM to the brink of a national title in 2002…finalist for the Johnny Unitas Award and the Davey O’Brien Award in 2002…2001 Maxwell Award winner…MVP of the 2001 Sugar Bowl and the 2002 Rose Bowl…winningest quarterback in UM history (38-2 record)…set eight UM career records (total offense, passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass completions, pass attempts, win percentage, 200-yard games)…completed 222-of-393 passes for 3,369 yards and 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in 2002…passed for 422 yards at West Virginia…native of Orinda, California.
Jerome McDougle (DE, 2002)
A first-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)…a Hendricks Award Finalist in 2002…a Lombardi Award sem-finalist in 2002…a two-time first-team All-BIG EAST selection (2001-2002)…made 14 quarterback sacks over his two seasons at UM…made 55 tackles (31 solos) with 16 tackles for losses along with seven sacks in 2002…credited with 26 quarterback hurries in 2002…had a whopping 74 hurries over his two seasons at UM…native of Pompano Beach, Florida.
Willis McGahee (RB, 2002)
A consensus first-team All-America in 2002 by Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association (FWAA), CNNSI.com, Walter Camp, The Sporting News and collegefootballnews.com…a Heisman Trophy Finalist (4th)…2002 BIG EAST Co-Offensive Player of the Year…unanimous first-team All-BIG EAST by the coaches…a Doak Walker Award finalist…a Walter Camp Player of the Year Award finalist…declared for the NFL Draft after his third year at UM (sophomore season)…rushed for 1,753 yards on 282 carries (6.2 avg.) and scored 28 touchdowns in his first season as a starter…accumulated 2,108 all-purpose yards…averaged 134.8 yards rushing per game…rushed for 100 yards a UM record 10 times in 2002…rushed for more than 200 yards twice (204 at Florida, 205 vs. Virginia Tech) in 2002…one of only five players in college football history to rush for 1,500+ yards and score 25+ touchdowns in a single season…tied the UM single-game carries mark with 39 rushes vs. Virginia Tech…set eight UM single-season records (rushing yards, rushing attempts, all-purpose yards, rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, touchdowns in a game, total points, 100-yard rushing games, rushing yards per game)…native of Miami, Florida.
Brett Romberg (C, 2002)
A consensus first-team All-America in 2002 by Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association (FWAA), CNNSI.com, Walter Camp, The Sporting News and collegefootballnews.com…winner of the Rimington Award as college football’s finest center…did not allow a quarterback sack in his college career…named an offensive most valuable player in five games by the coaching staff…an Outland Trophy Finalist…a two-time first-team All-BIG EAST by the coaches (2001-2002)…credited with 33 pancake blocks and 18 “metrorails” in 2002…started 37 consecutive games at center…Miami went 35-2 with Romberg at center…Miami averaged 464 yards per game with Romberg starting…keyed an offensive line that led to a record rushing season for tailback Willis McGahee and a career-high passing season for quarterback Ken Dorsey…native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
