The hardest thing for sports fans to do is to choose the "best ever" at anything.

Stats are misleading, generation gaps are unavoidable, opinions are endless, and certainty is almost nonexistent.

That said, the 2001 Miami Hurricanes were without a doubt the best college football team of all time. 

It would be foolish to just simply list the accomplishments of the team.

Fans know they went undefeated with an almost 33-point margin of victory on their way to a national title.  They know their defense allowed only 15 touchdowns all season, while scoring eight on their own.  They also know that the team had six first team All-Americans and 13 first team All-Big East performers. 

What separates the Hurricanes from all those great teams with similar resumes is the staggering amount of Hurricanes that went on to the next level.

Critics might say that having so many players reach the pro level may be just a statement about talent on the roster rather than the team itself.  However, it's such an amazing feat that it demands to be taken into account.

For comparison sake, lets put them up against the 2005 USC Trojans, a team that, before they were beaten by Texas in the Rose Bowl, was voted to be one of the best college teams ever assembled. 

The Trojans had 29 players from that team reach the NFL, and eight of them as first-round picks.  The Hurricanes had 40 players making it to the league, with an astonishing 16 first-rounders. 

To put things in perspective, many positions on the over one-hundred man roster had more than half the players make it to the NFL.  For example, eight defensive backs went on to be NFLers, six of which were first-round picks.

But, what's the point of telling you about all these studs, when we can look at the success stories themselves?  After all, this article wouldn't really be much without analyzing every single one of those 40 players, now would it?

Ken Dorsey, QB Jr.

The leader of the Canes offense, he won the Maxwell for his play during their title season. 

He lost only two games in his Hurricane career, and, despite not having terrific NFL tools, has survived the past few years as a backup quarterback in Cleveland and San Francisco.

 

Buck Ortega, QB Fr.

Then a freshman quarterback, Ortega went on to have some success as a backup tight end.  Interestingly enough, he's in a familiar place, currently backing up former teammate Jeremy Shockey with the New Orleans Saints.

 

Clinton Portis, RB Jr.

After an outstanding Hurricane career, Portis has matched that success in the NFL.  In seven seasons with the Broncos and Redskins, he's amassed over 9,200 yards and 72 touchdowns on the ground.  His 92 yards per game is fifth all time.


Willis McGahee, RB R-Fr.

Portis' primary backup and part-time fullback in 2001, McGahee had a breakout season of his own a year later. 

Despite numerous injuries, including one his his final collegiate game, McGahee has managed over 1,000 yards a season his his five-year playing career. 

 

Frank Gore, RB Fr.

Gore was a hotshot true freshman on the Canes title team, but injuries hampered the rest of his college career.  Still, he made the most of his third-round selection, and has put up three straight 1,000 yard seasons, including a Pro Bowl in 2006.

 

Najeh Davenport, RB Sr.

Davenport was the epitome of a Hurricane fullback in this era, which was basically a bigger running back that could hit some people.  He's managed to have the same role through seven NFL seasons, his best year coming in 2008 for the Steelers. 

 

Jarrett Payton, RB So.

Payton will always be remembered more as Walter Payton's son than for his own success, but he did play a big role for the injury-depleted Canes in 2004.  He played in 13 games for the Titans in 2005. 

 

Andre Johnson, WR  So.

The star of the championship game, Johnson parlayed his time as a Hurricane to being the highest Miami player selected in the era.  Possessing an almost inhuman combination of size and speed, Johnson is already one of the best two or three receivers in the NFL.

 

Daryl Jones, WR Sr.

A spot contributor and return man for the Canes, Jones was a late round pick of the New York Giants, and had much of the same role during his two year stint in the pros. 

 

Roscoe Parrish, WR Fr.

Then just a freshman, Parrish emerged later in his Hurricane career as both a dynamic receiver and return man.  A second round selection in 2005, Parrish has become one of the leagues best returners, and contributes as a third receiver as well. 

 

Kellen Winslow II, WR Fr.

Talk about emerging, the man known as K2 was a lanky young wide-out during the 2001 season before he turned himself into one of the best Hurricanes tight ends to ever play.  His NFL career started slow, but was catching serious steam before an injury in 2008. 

 

Jeremy Shockey, TE Jr.

The outspoken Oklahoma kid and former Junior College transfer came into his own during the '01 season, earning first team All American honors.  He was selected in the first round in 2002, and in a four time Pro Bowler.

 

Bryant McKinnie, OT Sr.

Widely considered one of the best college offensive lineman of all time, the consensus All American and Outland Trophy winner did not give up a single sack during his Hurricane career.  McKinnie is now a mainstay at left tackle for the Vikings.

 

Joaquin Gonzalez, OT Sr.

The key player in Ed Reed's dominate speech, Gonzalez was another of the All Americans from 2001.  He had a four-year NFL career, three with his former coach Butch Davis in Cleveland.

 

Rashad Butler, OT Fr.

A quality player for the Hurricanes, Butler was a third round pick of the Panthers in 2006.  However, problems with weight due to an illness, ulcerative colitis for the doctors reading, put his career on hold. 

He's now with the Texans, and appears to have his weight and his condition under control. 

 

Martin Bibla, OG Sr.

A key part of the outstanding Hurricanes offensive line, Bibla hung around the league for three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.  He later had more success after a move to the Arena Football League. 

 

Vernon Carey, OG So.

Carey played a number of positions both as a Hurricane and later in the NFL.  The former first rounder seems to have found his spot at tackle for the Dolphins, though, having started all but two games for the Fish over the past four seasons.

 

Chris Myers, OG R-Fr.

Myers had his work cut out for him entering the league as a sixth round pick, he's managed to not only get a starting job, but excel.  He started all 16 games for the Texans last year at center on a line with another former Cane, Eric Winston.

 

Brett Romberg, C Jr.

The catalyst for the Canes terrific O-Line, and best friend of Ken Dorsey, Romberg has started games in each of the last three seasons for the St. Louis Rams after going undrafted. 

Jerome McDougle, DE Jr.

McDougle was an All-ACC level force on the Hurricanes D-Line that season, but has been snake-bitten so far in his NFL career.  McDougle was shot during a robbery in Miami in 2005, and has seen almost every other year of his career derailed by injuries. 

 

Jamaal Green, DE Jr.

Green carved himself a niche as a pass-rusher with the Hurricanes, but was never able to find much success in the NFL.  He spent one year with the Eagles, and another with Chicago.

 

Andrew Williams, DE Jr.

Williams was a third round pick in 2003, and even started a handful of games for the 49ers, but wasn't able to catch on in the NFL.

 

William Joseph, DT Jr.

Joseph was a stud in the middle of the Hurricanes defense, following in a long line of star defensive tackles to wear the orange and green.  Motivation issues seemed to plague him after being taken in the first round by the Giants, and he is now with Oakland.

 

Matt Walters, DT Jr.

A true unsung hero of the Hurricanes D-Line, Walters played just one season in the NFL after being taken in the fifth round by the Jets. 

 

Vince Wilfork, DT Fr.

Even as a freshman it was clear what kind of player Vince was going to be.  Wilfork was a force for his career as a Cane, and has been equally dominant since entering the league as the Patriots first round pick in 2004. 

 

Orien Harris, DT Fr.

Harris was a bit of an underachiever while with the Hurricanes, and his six NFL teams have seen much of the same.  That's right, despite only entering the league in 2006, he's now already with his sixth team, including being traded twice this off-season alone.

 

Santonio Thomas, DT So.

Unlike Harris, Thomas always seemed to fit the role of overachiever during his time in Coral Gables.  He worked his way from undrafted free agent up to being a solid contributor for the Browns a season ago.

 

Jonathan Vilma, LB  So.

Burst onto the national scene during the title game against Nebraska, the rest of his career was a steady rise to being one of the best LBs to play for the Canes. 

Injuries and a scheme change slowed his fast start in the NFL, but has been rejuvenated by a move to the New Orleans Saints. 

 

D.J. Williams, LB So.

Williams made good on being named the best player in the country as a prep during his Cane career, and has followed that with a solid NFL career as well.  He was terrific after his move to MLB in 2007, registering 141 tackle, but injuries cut his followup short in '08.

 

Roger McIntosh, LB Fr.

Then known as Roger, now the football world knows him as Rocky.  Since being selected early in the second round by the Redskins, McIntosh has emerged as one of the better young linebackers in the league. 

 

Leon Williams, LB Fr.

Williams had the unfortunate job of taking over for Vilma after his departure to the NFL.  He was up and down as a Hurricane, but seems to have found a place at ILB with the Browns.

 

Darrell McClover, LB So.

A little used linebacker for the Canes until his senior season, McClover has turned some impressive athleticism into a role as a key special teamer with the Bears.

 

Phillip Buchanon, CB Jr.

Buchanon was an All American return man and a first round selection at cornerback by the Raiders in 2002.  He appeared lost while in Oakland, but has turned things around and recently signed with the Lions as a main addition to their new defense. 

 

Mike Rumph, CB Sr.

While never the big name in the secondary, Rumph was a three time All Big East pick and a first round pick.  He never caught on as a cornerback in San Francisco, and injuries plagued him after a move to safety. 


Alfonso Marshall, CB So.

A key member of the DB rotation later in his career, Marshall played sparingly for the 2004 Bears in his only NFL season.

 

Antrel Rolle, CB Fr.

Rolle must have learned a lot from the starters on that title team, because he would one-up both Buchanon and Rumph by being selected no. six overall in 2005. 

Rolle had a solid start to his career at corner, but likely found his spot at safety, where he helped his team reach the Super Bowl last season.

 

Kelly Jennings, CB Fr.

Another of the future stars waiting their turn on the team, Jennings would sneak into the first round himself in 2006.  He was moved into a nickel role during the 2008 season, but is looking to regain his starting job in '09. 

 

Marcus Maxey, CB Fr.

Maxey's size-speed combination never quite turned him into a star with the Hurricanes, but it was enough to earn him a short career in the NFL with the Chiefs and Bears. 

 

Edward Reed, FS Sr.

The man on the Canes defense from 2001, Ed Reed has duplicated everything he accomplished at Miami with the Baltimore Ravens. 

Reed was robbed of the Thorpe Award while in school, but made up for it with a Defensive Player of the Year award in '04, along with five Pro Bowl appearances.

 

Sean Taylor, SS Fr.

Little did fans know then, but Sean Taylor would end his time in Miami as one of the most dominant forces of his generation.  Sadly, Taylor's NFL career was cut tragically short when he was killed in November 2007 in his own home.

 

Wow, that's a lot of players.  Hope you all enjoyed that extended trip down memory lane.