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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
25 of 26
Next
BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 25: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Miami Hurricanes looks over the Colorado Buffaloes offense at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado on September 25, 1993. The Hurricanes defeated the Buffaloes 35-29. (Photo by Miami/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 25: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Miami Hurricanes looks over the Colorado Buffaloes offense at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado on September 25, 1993. The Hurricanes defeated the Buffaloes 35-29. (Photo by Miami/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /

2. Ray Lewis

Linebacker, 1993-1995

A name that was clearly going to be on this list was linebacker Ray Lewis. He is one of the many that immediately comes to mind when the term “The U” gets thrown around. That is because Lewis is not only one of the greatest players to ever come through Miami but has a case for being the best linebacker in football history.

His path to success did not take long as Lewis jumped right into a premier role in his freshman season. Lewis pushed his way into the starting lineup for the final stretch of the season and made an impact. The writers decided that he played so well that they named him a freshman All-American, even with only starting five games.

In his sophomore season, 1994, with Sapp in front of him Lewis continued to be a problem for opposing offenses. That season he would lead the team and the conference in tackles and registering three takeaways. His play on the field would earn him a place on the All-American and All-Big East teams.

His final season with Miami was the 1995 season, Lewis’ junior year. That year he again led the team and conference in tackles and added three takeaways, a touchdown and eight tackles for loss. Once again he would be named an All-American and All-Big East player. Lewis would finish second for the Butkus Award behind Kevin Hardy of Illinois. Lewis finished his career with the fifth most tackles in school history (bumped to sixth after Dan Morgan) and holds the top two spots in tackles for a single season.

Lewis would forgo his final collegiate season to enter the NFL Draft where the Baltimore Ravens selected him with the 26th pick in the first round and the fifth linebacker off the board. It would not take long for him to make an impact despite the knocks about him being undersized. In his first professional game, he earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, the first of many.

He would play a total of 16 seasons, all with the Baltimore Ravens. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year (2000 & 2003), Lewis would be named an All-Pro ten times, including seven first-team appearances. He was named to 13 Pro Bowls during his career as well. Team success also followed him and he won two Super Bowls with the Ravens. Lewis would walk off a winner, retiring following the victory in Super Bowl XLVII.

The NFL would honor Lewis with a Hall of Fame plaque on his first attempt. He is also known for his charitable work around Baltimore with his faith prominently on display.

Home/College Football