Best Miami football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore – From Michael Irvin to Ed Reed

Michael Irvin, receiver – 1985-87

Michael Irvin signed with Miami from legendary St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale. Irvin made an immediate impact with 46 receptions, 840 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman catching passes from future Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde in 1985. Irvin finished in the top five in receiving in 1985.

Irvin led the nation in TD receptions as a freshman. He was the most reliable big-play threat for Testaverde and earned the nickname the playmaker because of it. In three seasons at Miami, Irvin finished with 143 receptions for 2,423 yards and 26 TDs. Irvin is fifth in Miami history in receptions and fourth in receiving yards.

Irvin still holds the Miami football record with 26 TD receptions. His numbers are remarkable considering he left for the NFL after his junior season. No player in the history of the Miami football program had a bigger impact on and off the field creating the personae of the Hurricanes than Irvin.

Nearly 35 years after departing Coral Gables, Irvin is still a go-to voice on the state of the Miami football program. Earlier this year, Irvin, Lewis, safety Ed Reed and wide receiver Reggie Wayne appeared in the Fox Sports special the ReUnion to discuss the Hurricanes.

The accomplishments Irvin had from 1985-87 continue to hold up. The fact his records are still in the top five in all three major receiving categories in what is now a pass-happy era of college football shows how special of a player Irvin was. His most iconic game came against Florida State in 1987.

With Miami trailing 19-11 in the fourth quarter, Irvin and quarterback Steve Walsh connected for the game-tying (with the two-point conversion) and go-ahead touchdowns in a critical win that set the Hurricanes on the path to their second national championship and only one under Johnson.