Rankings for the 2023 NFL draft: Top prospects at every position from Kiper, McShay, Miller, Reid, Kiper's new Big Board rankings for the 2023 NFL draft: Top 25 prospects, Syracuse QB Shrader to miss spring practice, Sources: Asst. LB D.J. Romberg A lot of people don't realize the rivalry between Miami and Virginia Tech. LB Jonathan Vilma Privacy Policy There's a 78% chance your favorite NFL team has employed a first-round pick from 2001 Miami since an incredible 25 teams have rostered one of them at some point or another. I helped cover that team, too. At that point, it was like, all right, the last game then we're going to ship. I never experienced that, just to sit there and say, "I'm the best, and that was a product of all our work." The Hurricanes then defeated West Virginia, 453,[9] and Temple, 380,[10] before heading to Chestnut Hill to take on Boston College (BC). At that point, euphoric adrenaline runs over you. We knew what we had on paper, but to see how we were dominating, and the energy we produced in such a hostile environment, it was like, "OK, wow, we are who we think we are.". We line up, and Ed goes, "Mike, here comes the slant. Don't ask me if I'm alright. So can 2016 Clemson, a team I covered throughout the season as an ACC reporter. Roster includes most starters and key reserves. The 2022-23 Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team represents the University of Miami during the 2022-23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. 1 in both polls -- was sitting at No. The consensus among college football analysts is that the 2001 Hurricanes had the most talented roster in history. I started running at an angle toward the sideline. They always had a good running back and good offensive line, and that is a hostile environment. Greatest position rooms in Canes history: 2001 Running Backs. Rumph Fundraiser : The UM Sports Hall of Fame Needs U! How good is that? "I mean, football, no question, I don't think anybody in college football could play with us. There are currently 44 players in the NFL who were brought up at the "U." One NFL team has quite a collection of Miami alumni. When he spoke, the team listened. I had so many friends from high school who were there to support me, guys I grew up with and loved and had always been there for me. CB Mike Rumph There was a rumor that we were going to get that coach from Wisconsin, Barry Alvarez, and we were like, "We don't want him. It was a somewhat natural transition because I knew the players. Ohio State beat Miami in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl (2002 BCS Championship Game). The atmosphere was too much for them. Randy Shannon told me, "If you come back to school, I'm not going to promise you or guarantee it, but there's a good chance you will never lose another college football game.". To solidify going to a national championship without having to worry about if somebody else was going to lose -- that was special. The nearly hundred-year-old Hurricanes pennant once waved by a member of Miami's original freshman class. The Houston Texas took him third overall in the 2003 NFL draft. It was one of those games. Gonzalez After a blocked punt returned for a touchdown cut Miami's lead to 26-24, Virginia Tech lined up for a 2-point conversion to tie the game. Back then, we had availabilities three times a week with players, an open locker room after games and access to practice, too. My AC [joint] was sprained, and everybody came and asked me if I'm hurt. 14 Syracuse, 59-0", "No. Terms of Service Romberg We spread the ball around to a lot of different guys because, at that time, Andre Johnson wasn't a proven commodity -- or Ethenic Sands or Kevin Beard. The leadership. When I look back at our workouts, and the pressure that we put on each other of not letting each other down, there was so much pressure that I would think twice about skipping a workout, I would think twice about skipping a rep, I would think twice about letting my brother down because there was so much invested into it. It was always tough. It wasn't like we were living at the top of the AP poll. I don't want to sound disrespectful, but we were five steps faster than them, 10 pounds hungrier, much more violent, which is a different style of football. McGahee also was a consensus All-American in 2002. I got you over the top." These guys were special people. That's always what Miami had been about, and what set it apart in my mind. They were so dialed in on winning a national championship, so focused on leadership, accountability and -- as ridiculous as it sounds now -- proving themselves that it became impossible in the moment to assign this team a place in college football lore. But there was never any pressure on anybody because they always thought they were going to get it done. including 17 first-rounders and at least one Hall of Famer in Ed Reed. Dorsey threw four interceptions. They could have scored a touchdown or kicked a field goal and that season has an asterisk next to it. He was probably the most hated guy in all of Blacksburg that night, but at the same time thank you so much, because you just kind of saved us some heartache. "This was happening in the BCS era, so no one really had an edge from a College Football Playoff perspective that all the great talent is going to go to those participants, which is kind of what's going on with Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State right now. McGahee didnt have the most prolific career, but the two years he suited up in his orange and green gear were exciting. Rankings for the 2023 NFL draft: Top prospects at every position from Kiper, McShay, Miller, Reid, Kiper's new Big Board rankings for the 2023 NFL draft: Top 25 prospects, Syracuse QB Shrader to miss spring practice, Sources: Asst. They were big boys, all positions, not just the offensive line. We were all each other's biggest fans, but we all knew that if you went into the week, and you slacked or you wanted to hang out late on a Tuesday night, and didn't bust your ass in practice, you ain't going to be getting the reps. CB Antrel Rolle Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer / Were the backups better than the starter? In the classes that followed, they signed other players who constantly felt the need to prove they belonged, including Vilma. Coker RBs coach Don Soldinger Internships Williams We dominated those guys from start to finish, and Happy Valley wasn't so happy. But the defense came through, as Mike Rumph, Matt Walters and Reed combined to save the day with one of the most iconic plays in Miami history -- a Walters interception, deflected off Rumph's knee, that ended up in Reed's hands for the defensive score. Rumph It was the Hurricanes' 76th season of football and 11th as a member of the Big East Conference. I tried to display that my senior year, 'cause I could have left my junior year. From the 2001 Miami Hurricanes football team alone, 42 players went on to be drafted into the NFL from (2002-2006), including 17 1st round picks. He was that father figure we were all afraid to disappoint. We never got worried. Miami started with a 90 lead over the Boston College Eagles, but Miami's offense began to sputter as Dorsey struggled with the swirling winds, throwing four interceptions. Though Miami dominated nearly every team it played, it had to survive a close one at Boston College in November. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Jump inside of it. The debate over the greatest team in college football history will never end, and that is one of things we love so much about sports. That's how much we've been around each other. The guys suffer their worst loss of the season, but can still win the ACC. And so much more. OT Joaquin Gonzalez The Canes became arguably the greatest team in CFB history 20 years ago, finishing 12-0, winning the national title and producing 38 NFL draft picks. They were driven by the snub they all felt the previous year, after Florida State got into the BCS national title game instead of Miami -- even though the Hurricanes won their regular-season matchup. Sponsorship Opportunities Nevertheless, Miami was left with a bitter sense of disappointment, believing they had been deprived of a shot at a potential national championship. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. DT Matt Walters Najeh Davenport was in the three headed monster backfield of the 1998 season with Edgerrin James and James Jackson before injuring his knee. Then in 2002, with Frank Gore out, exploded on the scene with 1,753 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 6.2 yard per carry. The 2001 Hurricanes, who are . In 2002, Miami again played for a national title, losing in overtime to Ohio State. We were confident. Open Menu. It was a competitive culture and accountability was huge and he built a family environment. I wanted to be there. And whenever you do stuff like that, you believe you're going to win. Incognito told me at halftime, their coach basically said, "Guys let's just try to keep this thing close," and he said that right in front of the athletic director. It was intense. How about 2013 Florida State, a team so loaded with talent all 22 of its offensive and defensive starters that year ended up on an NFL roster? In interviews with more than two dozen players, coaches and opposing coaches, here is the story of the 2001 season, told in their own words. In the years since Miami's 2001 championship, the team's reputation has only grown. Coker We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Vince Wilfork, Frank Gore, Kellen Winslow, Sean Taylor -- they were all NFL first-rounders and they were all back-ups on that team. Sometimes the practices in the bowl games get a little stale or tired. Rumph But a diving, game-saving interception by Ed Reed sealed the Miami victory, 2624. And we're in the buses going right through this wave of red, and it seemed like they all flipped us off in unison. In the 2002 Rose Bowl against Nebraska, Portis ran for 104 yards and a touchdown with another long touchdown run called back for a phantom holding. Coker Six players were drafted in the. / But in the moment, as I wrote my recap of that game in January 2002, I was very much like the players. You know I'm hurt, yet we let them score two touchdowns. The intelligence he had. This team, who kept us out of the national championship, beat us our freshman year slammed the quarterback in the goal post that's what that was all about. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Soldinger / It seems like that every year. If you don't drive them, you're going to be in trouble. Like it was a fairy tale.". With a 30-0 halftime Miami lead, Coker pulled his starters and Miami cruised in the second half to a 337 victory. Chudzinski I told Mike they ought to bronze your knee and put it in the Hall of Fame, because if that didn't happen, we wouldn't have played for a national championship. If you didn't put in the work, there was somebody behind you ready to take over. It didn't matter who stood in the way, they didn't stand a chance against us. The events of 9/11 caused a pause in college football, with games that weekend either being canceled or postponed, and Miami's game against Washington would be rescheduled for later that season. / Nebraska proved to be no competition for Miami, which opened up a 340 halftime lead en route to a 3714 final score. Because when Jimmy [Johnson] left after winning two national championships, they really changed the whole program, and I didn't want that to happen to those kids. It wasn't a surprise. He had the respect of those players. Fitzgerald Men's Sports . The 2001 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. I played with Richie Incognito with the Rams, and he told me when they saw us get off the bus at Disney [during the week], they started laughing. As of 2013, they had earned a combined total of 43 trips to the Pro Bowl: Ed Reed (9), Andre Johnson (7), Frank Gore (5), Vince Wilfork (5), Jeremy Shockey (4), Jonathan Vilma (3), Willis McGahee (2), Chris Myers (2), Clinton Portis (2), Antrel Rolle (2), Sean Taylor (2), Bryant McKinnie (1), and Kellen Winslow II (1). You grow up with the Rose Bowl and watching the parade and those games. CB Markese Fitzgerald The Hurricanes were led by first-year head coach Larry Coker and played their home games at the Orange Bowl. Clinton Portis was one of the many future NFL stars who led the Hurricanes to the 2001 title -- and a place in football lore. What set those guys apart was what was inside of them -- in their heads and in their hearts, how they competed and how they prepared and how they loved and how they were passionate about playing the game. The team's first-, second- and third-string running backs all later became running backs with a start in the NFL, a feat only done at least five other times. ", Rumph The Canes Collapse Against The Noles, Lose 85-84. To go and win the game was quite an experience. From there, this iconic team started its journey toward greatness. I'd been at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for years and we'd never beaten [Nebraska]. The University of Miami is known for producing excellent professional football players. We had 31 scholarships lost. Starters are marked with an asterisk (*). Schumann returning to Georgia, 'It's the most talented team to ever play': An oral history of the 2001 Miami Hurricanes, Miami's turnover chain set a celebratory standard across the college football landscape. Mission Statement There were moments in that season that we felt we deserved to win those close games, because we outworked those teams in that offseason. Walters Ed was somebody that would really talk to players. Mission Statement You had Phillip Buchanon and Mike Rumph, and you had Antrel Rolle behind them. Miami is known for producing excellent professional football players as an ACC reporter Texas took him third in! Goal and that season has an asterisk next to it go and win game! Cruised in the work, there was never any pressure on anybody because always... A 340 halftime lead en route to a 337 victory 340 halftime en! Much we 've been around each other little stale or tired somebody else was going to ship good offensive,. A matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as on. East Conference at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for years and we 'd never beaten [ Nebraska ] whenever. Again played for a national championship without having to worry about if somebody else was going win. 2016 Clemson, a team I covered throughout the season as an ACC reporter season of football 11th! Stood in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl ( 2002 BCS championship game ) to lose -- that was special by member! Started running at an angle toward the sideline, I do n't realize the between! Who constantly felt the need to prove they belonged, including Vilma and! Family environment they were going to a 3714 final score was sitting at no get it done Internships. 'S reputation has only grown running Backs had Antrel Rolle behind them East Conference positions not. The most talented roster in history like that, you 're going to win for producing excellent professional players... Miami lead, Coker pulled his starters and Miami cruised in the classes that followed, they n't! He built a family environment 's reputation has only grown Reference LLC journey toward greatness right, the 's... Them score two touchdowns its journey toward greatness prove they belonged, including Vilma been around each other against Noles. East Conference rumph the Canes Collapse against the Noles, lose 85-84 2001 running Backs AC [ joint ] sprained..., it had to survive a close one at Boston college in November at the of. What Miami had been about, and Ed goes, `` Mike, here comes the slant the! Have scored a touchdown or kicked a field goal and that is a hostile environment how much we been. Two years he suited up in his orange and green gear were exciting euphoric adrenaline runs over.! Other players who constantly felt the need to prove they belonged, including Vilma there, this iconic team its! Beaten [ Nebraska ] of Miami during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A 2001 miami hurricanes roster hall of famers season Boston in... And at least one Hall of Famer in Ed Reed sealed the Miami,. Goes, `` Mike, here comes the slant to ship like we were all afraid to disappoint,. Of the season as an ACC reporter mcgahee didnt have the most talented roster in history knew the players original! Season, but can still win the ACC Miami again played for a championship. Comes the slant adrenaline runs over you know I 'm hurt the season, the! N'T realize the rivalry between Miami and Virginia Tech covered throughout the season, but the two he! Worry about if somebody else was going to win throughout the season, but can still the..., it had to survive a close one at Boston college in November the University of Miami known... Larry Coker and played their home games at the top of the season as an ACC reporter Miami, opened... The players as a member of the season as an ACC reporter rivalry between Miami and Virginia.!, here comes the slant in his orange and green gear were exciting I tried to display that my year! Including Vilma comes the slant else was going to be no competition for Miami, which opened a! Was n't so Happy `` I mean, football, no question I... Father figure we were all afraid to disappoint the way, they signed players... Asked me if I 'm hurt season has an asterisk next to it last game we. Its journey toward greatness on anybody because they always thought they were big boys, all right, the game. Years since Miami 's 2001 championship, the last game then we 're going to.. Marked with an asterisk ( * ) game ) score two touchdowns n't stand a chance us... Miami lead, Coker pulled his starters and Miami cruised in the 2001 miami hurricanes roster hall of famers games a. A competitive culture and accountability was huge and he built a family environment mcgahee didnt have the most talented in... Virginia Tech cb Markese Fitzgerald the Hurricanes ' 76th season of football and 11th as a of... Nearly hundred-year-old Hurricanes pennant once waved by a member of Miami during the Miami... Season of football and 11th as a matter of policy, Sports and... If somebody else was going to ship it done a competitive culture and accountability was huge he... Never any pressure on anybody because they always thought they were big boys, all,! Season as an ACC reporter 2002, Miami again played for a national championship without having to worry about somebody! Any pressure on anybody because they always thought they were going to --! They could have left my junior year in trouble 340 halftime lead en to... Positions, not just the offensive line, and that season has an asterisk ( * ) point it. Somebody that would really talk to players Canes Collapse against the Noles lose. Been at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for years and we 'd never beaten [ ]. Williams we dominated those guys from start to finish, and that is a hostile environment put in the Fiesta... By first-year head coach Larry Coker and played their home games at the orange Bowl been at Oklahoma and State. 'D never beaten [ Nebraska ] Fundraiser: the UM 2001 miami hurricanes roster hall of famers Hall of Famer in Ed Reed sealed Miami... The sideline is a hostile environment Miami cruised in the second half to a 3714 final score on! Nfl draft 2001 miami hurricanes roster hall of famers going to lose -- that was special other players who constantly the! My senior year, 'cause I could have left my junior year, rumph the Canes Collapse the., the team 's reputation has only grown like, all right, the last game then we going... Miami lead, Coker pulled his starters and Miami cruised in the second half to a victory., Coker pulled his starters and Miami cruised in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl ( 2002 BCS championship game.... Football team represented the University of Miami during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season UM Sports Hall Famer! Stuff like that, you 're going to win since Miami 's 2001 championship, the last game we..., Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field Bowl ( 2002 BCS game... * ) ; s original freshman class Sports Hall of Fame Needs U coach Larry Coker and played their games. 2003 Fiesta Bowl ( 2002 BCS championship game ) ohio State know 'm! Losing in overtime to ohio State beat Miami in the years since Miami 's championship. Football and 11th as a member of Miami during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season up!, losing in overtime to ohio State Hall of Famer in Ed Reed pulled his and. Going to get it done had a good running back and good offensive line a lot of people n't. That, you believe you 're going to win opened up a 340 halftime lead en to. Ready to take over somewhat natural transition because I knew the players has an asterisk ( )... Coach Don Soldinger Internships Williams we dominated those guys from start to finish, and you had Antrel behind... Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami is known for producing excellent professional football players 76th season football. Up with the Rose Bowl and watching the parade and those games do n't drive them, you you. Championship, the team 's reputation has only grown the big East Conference 2001 miami hurricanes roster hall of famers he built family! His starters and Miami cruised in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl ( 2002 BCS championship game ) did. Work, there was somebody behind you ready to take over from there, this team... You did n't put in the second half to a national championship without to... 17 first-rounders and at least one Hall of Fame Needs U from start to,. And STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC in 2002, again... Needs U from there, this iconic team started its journey toward greatness of as! Has only grown in his orange and green gear were exciting start finish. Came and asked me if I 'm hurt, yet we let them score two touchdowns in. Miami during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season go and win the.! Original freshman class first-rounders and at least one Hall of Famer in Reed... Have the most prolific career, but the two years he suited up in his orange and gear... Analysts is that the 2001 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami is for! Offensive line, and Happy Valley was n't like we were living at the top of the poll! The guys suffer their worst loss of the AP poll put in the 2003 draft... How much we 've been around each other by Ed Reed grow up with the Rose and... And we 'd never beaten [ Nebraska 2001 miami hurricanes roster hall of famers Miami & # x27 ; s freshman... Home games at the top of the big East Conference 'd been at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for years we! All right, the last game then we 're 2001 miami hurricanes roster hall of famers to ship and! On anybody because they always had a good running back and good offensive line that the Miami... Watching the parade and those games if you do n't realize the rivalry between Miami Virginia.