Fansided

Miami football: 25 greatest Hurricanes of all time

By Joe Romano

MIAMI - JANUARY 1: Defensive back Sean Taylor #26 of the Miami Hurricanes attempts to elude wide receiver P.K. Sam #4 of the Florida State Seminoles during the 2004 Orange Bowl game on January 1, 2004 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Hurricanes won 16-14. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
MIAMI - JANUARY 1: Defensive back Sean Taylor #26 of the Miami Hurricanes attempts to elude wide receiver P.K. Sam #4 of the Florida State Seminoles during the 2004 Orange Bowl game on January 1, 2004 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Hurricanes won 16-14. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 1: Vinny Testaverde #14 of the Miami Hurricanes drops back to pass against the Florida State Seminoles during an NCAA football game November 1, 1986 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 1: Vinny Testaverde #14 of the Miami Hurricanes drops back to pass against the Florida State Seminoles during an NCAA football game November 1, 1986 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

6. Vinny Testaverde

Quarterback, 1982-1986

The final quarterback on this list is none other than Vinny Testaverde. A rough start to Testaverde’s college career did not stop him from becoming the best quarterback in program history.

After Jim Kelly had graduated it was Bernie Kosar, not Testaverde that got the chance to start. Instead, Testaverde waited his time and would not start until the 1985 season despite being on campus for two years already. It was a testament to not only his patience but the talent in front of him with Kosar leading the way. Schnellenberger left the program in the capable hands of Jimmy Johnson and Testaverde was a prize in waiting.

In that 1985 season, Testaverde came out slinging. His first game as a starter was a loss to number five ranked Florida. He would not lose a game the rest of the regular season before being upset as the No. 2 team by the No. 8 Tennesse Volunteers in the team’s bowl game. It was a stepping stone season for the quarterback and relatively new coach Johnson.

Following the disappointing bowl loss in 1986, the Hurricanes would start the season as the third-ranked team in the country. That status would be elevated to number one by the fifth game of the season. They would enter the bowl game undefeated behind a marvelous Testaverde season. His play would earn him a unanimous selection on the All-American team and the Heisman trophy. Testaverde was the first ever Heisman trophy winner for the Hurricanes at the time. Unfortunately, the season again ended in a disappointing loss, this time to Penn State that cost the Hurricanes a National Championship.

Testaverde would go on to be the first overall draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1987 NFL Draft. It would take some time for him to find his footing in the pros. Eventually, he would stick with the New York Jets and enjoy his best time in the NFL. His longevity in the NFL is amazing. He played a total of 20 seasons and hold records because of the length of his career despite only making two Pro Bowls.

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