The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot has a strong representation of the Miami Hurricanes football program. Head coach of the National Championship Larry Coker, quarterback Ken Dorsey (two-time Heisman Trophy finalist), linebacker Darrin Smith (double national champion), and All-American safety Sean Taylor are all eligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Before going on to coach at Texas-San Antonio, Coker had a 60-15 record in six seasons at Miami, including one national championship and a runner-up finish. Coker was the first head coach to win a national championship as a rookie since 1948, having succeeded Butch Davis in 2001. In Coker’s first two seasons, Miami finished 35-3. In his 24 games as head coach, Coker had 24 victories.
The Miami Hurricanes’ most accomplished quarterback in history is Dorsey. With Dorsey as their starting quarterback, Miami was 38-2. Dorsey won 34 straight games for Miami between 2000 and 2002. The victory streak is the fourth-longest in college football history.
Before Brad Kaaya surpassed him in 2016, Dorsey held the Miami career throwing yardage record with 9,565 yards. With 86 touchdown throws and 88 touchdowns that he was responsible for, Dorsey continues to retain the Miami career record. In addition to being a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2001 and 2002, Dorsey received the Maxwell Award in 2001.
In addition to becoming a National Champion in 1989 and 1991, Smith was also awarded All-Big East in 1991 and 1992, a First-team All-American in 1991 and 1992, and the co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Big East in 1991. Smith has 401 career tackles, which ranks him seventh in Miami history. Smith was an NFL player for the Dallas Cowboys, where he won two Super Bowls.
Taylor carried on the great Miami safety tradition started by All-American Ed Reed. With 10 interceptions in 2003, Taylor led the country and tied the Miami single-season record set by Bennie Blades in 1987. Taylor’s time with the Miami Hurricanes was marked by several awards.
In 2002, Taylor was named to the Big East second team. Taylor was named first team All-Big East, unanimous All-American, and the winner of the Jack Tatum Trophy in 2003. He was also named Big East Defensive Player of the Year. With 14 interceptions across his Miami career, Taylor ranked fourth overall.
Leave a Reply