The Miami Hurricanes dominated at the beginning of the decade.
Quarterback
Ken Dorsey (2000 – 2002)
Everyone remembers Kosar, Testaverde, and Kelly as the premiere Canes’ quarterbacks, but what about Dorsey? Sure he looked like he ate a pretzel a day and then never made it big in the NFL, but you cannot ignore the facts. He played in two national championships, winning one and losing the other on the worst called penalty in the history of football. He passed for 8,758 yards. 76 touchdowns, and posted an absurd 38-2 record during his three years as starter. Who cares if he couldn’t sling the ball on a rope sixty yards down field. Dorsey was a gamer, a pure winner.
Runningback -
Willis McGahee
This was brutal choice. My main argument is this: Nobody put more fear into a defense than McGahee did during the 2002 season when he rushed for 1,753 yards (6.2 avg), 28 touchdowns, and had eight 100-yard games (All Hurricane records). Every time he touched the ball he was a threat to go the distance due to his rare combination of strength and explosiveness. If he didn’t get his knee shredded like a block of cheese in the 2002 National Championship, he might be the best back in the NFL today.
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin James was dominant for multiple seasons in Coral Gables, as he was the only Canes back to have two consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus rushing yards, and he ranks first in school history with the most 100-yard rushing games (14). He also still holds the record for rushing yards in a game with 299, which has a good chance of never being broken.
Fullback
Alonzo Highsmith (1984 – 1986)
The father to current Miami backup QB A.J. Highsmith was a 235 pound bull for the old school, fatigue-clad Canes. He won a national title in 2003 over Nebraska.
Wide Receiver
Michael Irvin (1984 – 1987) Irvin finished his career at “The U” with 143 receptions, 2,423 yards and 26 touchdowns(Best all time). He was known for his flash just as much as his playmaking ability and goes down as one of the greatest Canes ever.
Moss was lightning during his days at the U
Santana Moss (1997 – 2000) Moss narrowly edges out Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne because he was the total package. The former walk-on graduated as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,546), punt return yards (1,196), and all-purpose yards (4,394). He was as dangerous in the return game as anyone in the history of college football and was a threat to take it to the house any time he touched the rock.
Tight End
Jeremy Shockey (2000 – 2001) Shock was a critical part of the 2001 National Championship team, one of the best teams in the history of college football. He possessed the unique mix of size and speed to beat any matchup the defense threw at him.
Tackles
Bryant McKinnie (2000 – 2001)
Leon Searcy (1988 – 1991)
Guards
Chris Myers (2001 – 2003)
Martin Bibla (1998 – 2001)
Center
Jim Otto (1957-1959)
Returner
Devin Hester (2004-2005) The fastest man in Miami Hurricane history with six career touchdowns off returns. He never really fit in on either side of the ball, but his role as a dominant force in the return game made him a game changer. He goes down as one of the most dangerous players in college football history.
Check out the Hurricane’s All-Time Defense HERE
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Whoa whoa whoa….Dorsey was a smart QB who knew how to lead. Kosar did it all by himself in 1983! AS A FRESHMAN!! I pee my pants when I think of what he might´ve done on the 2000-2002, star-studded teams. He broke tons of single-season records in 1984 – 3,642 yards and 25 TDs, plus a career completion pct of 62.3, still a Canes record. If his paperwork was settled correctly, he would´ve been a top-3 pick in the NFL Draft coming out as a Sophomore.
But then again who am I fooling, this is like arguing whether a lamborghini or a ferrari is cooler. Dorsey, Kelly, Kosar, Walsh, Testeverde and Torreta were all pretty freakin good!
Don’t forget Craig Erickson……who also one a championship and was part of the beautiful Notre Dame beating in 1989.
you said the worst call in college football history,but anyway what about Melvin Bratton could do it all catch balls out of the backfield,rush and runover defenders,get third downs if it was not for a injury could have been a great pro,or like McGhee was intentionally injured
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