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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KNOXVILLE,TN – NOVEMBER 9: Running back Willis McGahee #2 of Miami gribs the ball during the game against the Tennessee on November 9, 2002 at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE,TN – NOVEMBER 9: Running back Willis McGahee #2 of Miami gribs the ball during the game against the Tennessee on November 9, 2002 at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

19. Willis McGahee

Running back, 2000-2002

In a school that has produced a number of dominant running backs during its heyday, there was not a single one that had a better season than Willis McGahee in 2002. He still holds the University of Miami record with 1753 rushing yards during that historic season. A season which saw the Hurricanes go undefeated and set a ton of both school and national records. The most impressive of which was the nearly 33 points per game the 2001 Miami Hurricanes won by.

McGahee like so many before him came from the “State of Miami” and Miami Central High School. He was rarely used in both 2000 and 2001 before bursting on the scene with his historic 2002 season. It was hard to get carries when Clinton Portis is the guy ahead of you on the depth chart. Once McGahee took over the full-time duties it was clear that he was an exceptional talent.

It was a devastating knee injury in the 2002 National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes that almost derailed his professional career. Still, with a completely torn knee, McGahee would be a first round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills. He would play 10 years in the NFL and go to two Pro Bowls. It is easy to think what his career would have looked like not for that injury.

The talented back still holds the record for most rushing yards and sits ninth in career rushing yards despite really only playing one full-time season. His 28 rushing touchdowns are 11 more than the second most in Miami history. This is one of the best running backs, for a single year, in college history.

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