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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3 Jan 2002: Quarterback Eric Crouch #7 of Nebraska drops the ball against the defense of Vince Wilfork #75 of Miami during the Rose Bowl National Championship game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Miami won the game 37-14, winning the BCS and the National Championship title. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/Getty Images
3 Jan 2002: Quarterback Eric Crouch #7 of Nebraska drops the ball against the defense of Vince Wilfork #75 of Miami during the Rose Bowl National Championship game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Miami won the game 37-14, winning the BCS and the National Championship title. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/Getty Images /

21. Vince Wilfork

Defensive tackle, 2001-2003

The first member to make the list from the infamous 2001 Miami Hurricanes team is defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. A mammoth defensive tackle who plugged up the middle for that dominant defense and let the likes of Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams roam.

Wilfork is another local product from the “State of Miami”, coming from Palm Beach County high school where he excelled in football and track. Once getting on campus coaches could not keep him off the field. He did not start his freshman season but played in every game. His second season, Wilfork’s sophomore year, again had him playing every game but not starting. During both of those years, it was evident that he has all the tools to be a wrecking ball.

In 2003 Wilfork entered the season with a ton of praise. He would start all 13 games for Miami and go on to be named first-team All-Big East for his play for the Hurricanes. Wilfork was never a pass rushing defensive tackle but his 20 quarterback hurries was an impressive statistic for someone that size.

The New England Patriots snagged Wilfork with the 21st pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was the second defensive tackle taken behind Tommie Harris. During his tenure with the Patriots, he would win two Super Bowl trophies and go on to make five Pro Bowls. Wilfork called it a career in 2017, signing a one-day deal to retire as a member of the Patriots.

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