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
7 of 26
Next
13 Oct 2001: Jonathan Vilma #51 of Miami celebrates with teammate Chris Campbell #48 during the game against Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami won 49-27. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/Allsport
13 Oct 2001: Jonathan Vilma #51 of Miami celebrates with teammate Chris Campbell #48 during the game against Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami won 49-27. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/Allsport /

20. Jonathan Vilma

Linebacker, 2000-2003

The man that Wilfork was prioritized to keep clean for most of his career was middle linebacker, Jonathan Vilma. Like Wilfork and so many other he comes from Florida and specifically the “State of Miami”. In fact, Vilma’s hometown of Coral Gables is the same spot that the University of Miami is located. This was the perfect marriage between player and school.

On the field, Vilma was a back-up during his freshman year to the incredible Dan Morgan. Once Morgan left it was Vilma who made the transition seamless, no small task replacing an all-time legend. His second season on campus was the 2001 season which ended in a National Championship and it is Vilma’s hit on Nebraska runner Ben Zajicek that is one of the most remembered plays of the game.

Vilma would lead the team in tackles for the entirety of his career as a starter. All three of those seasons ended with him losing out on the Dick Butkus Award despite being a finalist. He would be an All-American in his final season but only All Big-East in his first season (2001).

Off the field, Vilma was a three-time Academic All American in the Big East and graduated with a degree. In 2004 the New York Jets selected Vilma with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. He would go on to play four seasons in New York and six with the New Orleans Saints. He went to the Pro Bowl three times, won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004 and won a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2010. He is a member of the Saints Hall of Fame for his time spent with the team.

Home/College Football