Russell Maryland to be Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former University of Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner in New York City on Tuesday, December 6th, 2011.

He joins seven other Hurricanes who also have been inducted, including athletes Bennie Blades (2006), Don Bosseler (1990), Ted Hendricks (1987), Gino Torretta (2009) and Arnold Tucker (2008), along with coaches Andy Gustafson (1985) and Jack Harding (1980).

Maryland was one of 79 players and nine coaches nominated for induction in March. Former UM coach Jimmy Johnson was also included on the ballot, which was mailed to over more than 12,000 NFF and current Hall of Famers. Maryland will join the rest of the 2011 Hall of Fame class at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 6.

Maryland was a member of Miami’s 1987 and 1989 National Championship teams, but his most prolific work came as a senior in 1990. During his final season with the Canes, he recorded 96 tackles (54 solo), including 10.5 quarterback sacks, seven tackles for losses and 19 quarterback pressures. He also forced five fumbles and broke up two passes.

As a result, he became the first Hurricane to win the 1990 Outland Trophy, which is given to the best defensive lineman in college football. He was also a unanimous All-America selection and named the United International Press Lineman of the Year.

The defensive tackle’s best game came in the 1991 Cotton Bowl against the University of Texas. He recorded three sacks for a loss of 28 yards and nine tackles, while the Hurricanes’ defense caused five Longhorn turnovers, each leading to UM touchdowns. The 46-3 Miami victory remains the largest point differential in Cotton Bowl history.

Maryland finished his college career with 279 tackles, 25 tackles for losses and 20.5 quarterback sacks. He was the Jack Harding Most Valuable Player Award winner in 1990 and led the Hurricanes to four consecutive bowl berths, two national championships and an overall record of 45-3-0 during his career.

In the 1991 NFL Draft, Maryland was selected as the first overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1993 and won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in 1992, ’93 and ’95. He played professionally for nine years with the Cowboys (1991-95), Oakland Raiders (1996-99) and Green Bay Packers (2000).

Maryland was born in Chicago, Ill., and now resides outside of Dallas in Southlake, Texas.

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