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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18 Sep 1999: Edward Reed #20 of the Miami Hurricanes carries the ball during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Nittany Lions defeated the Hurricanes 27-23. /

1. Ed Reed

Safety, 1997-2001

The best player to ever wear the U on the side of their helmet is none other than safety Ed Reed. It is rather fitting that Reed edges out his teammate in both Miami and the NFL, Lewis for the title. Unlike the majority of the others on this list, Reed came to Miami via Louisiana. His first season with the Hurricanes was spent with a redshirt.

He saw the field modestly in his second season and led the team in interceptions and forced fumbles. His play early in a career would be a glimpse at what was to come. Reed was a ball-hawk on the back end and made receivers pay when they did catch it in front of him. In 1999 Reed again registered two interceptions, this time appearing in a little more action.

2000 was the first year Reed was a full-time starter and immediately became a force on the back-end. His eight interceptions ranked second in the nation for that season. Reed was named as an All-American that season. As a team, the Hurricanes were again a dominant defense and Reed was part of the reason.

Reed’s best season came in 2001 when his 11 interceptions led the nation. For his efforts, he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year, National Defensive Player of the Year, and a unanimous All-American selection. Reed was left without a trophy as he was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and a semifinalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, both were given to Roy Williams of Oklahoma. The Hurricanes would win the National Championship and Reed’s leadership could not be overstated.

Six years after selecting Lewis, the Baltimore Ravens would select Reed with the 24th pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. Reed would join his Hurricane brother to form the fiercest combination of defenders in the NFL. In only his third season Reed would become the player that most know today and win the Defensive Player of the Year.

In total Reed’s 11 year career would feature him going to the Pro Bowl nine times and being named an All-Pro eight times, five times on the first team. He led the NFL in interceptions three times in his career and holds the NFL record for most interception return yards. He ranks seventh all-time in career interceptions. Reed would again join Lewis in their post-career, this time in Baltimore’s Ring of Honor. In 2019 Reed will be inducted into the Hall of Fame after appearing on the ballot for the first time.

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