2001 Miami Hurricanes: Where Are They Now?
The Hurricanes were the 2001 college football champions and are largely considered to be one of the most talented college football teams of all time.
After being overlooked for the national championship game in 2000 despite beating Florida State in their head-to-head matchup, the Hurricanes clearly had something to prove the following season.
Given the talent on the roster, it's no surprise that the 'Canes came in at 12-0 in 2001. Spending the majority of the season as the No. 1-rated team in the standings, this Miami team blew away just about everybody that faced them, including three very lopsided shutouts.
It's the last time a team quarterbacked by Ken Dorsey won anything, but this team wasn't just about him.
With 13 of its players being selected in the following year's NFL draft, it's easy to see that this Miami team was absolutely loaded.
Mike Rumph, DB
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A first-round selection of the San Francisco 49ers at 27th overall, Rumph was immediately switched from cornerback to safety in large part due to his strong tackling abilities and questionable man coverage.
A statewide track star during his tenure at Florida as well, Rumph was a quiet but solid contributor throughout his tenure.
After missing large parts of the 2004 and 2005 seasons due to injury, the defensive back was traded to Washington for WR Taylor Jacobs. After the trade, the 'Skins waived him due to declining play.
He signed on with the Rams in the spring of 2007, but was ultimately cut before the regular season began.
Phillip Buchanon, CB
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Buchanon was the 17th overall selection in the draft to the Oakland Raiders. He spent three seasons in Oakland, compiling 122 tackles and 11 interceptions.
In 2005, Buchanon was part of a draft-day trade that sent him to the Houston Texans for a second and third-round pick. The speedster played with the Texans for two seasons before ultimately being released in October 2006.
After that, he took his talents to Tampa Bay where he played alongside Ronde Barber until 2008. Afterwards, he spent a year in Detroit before signing on with the Washington Redskins prior to the current season.
DJ Williams, LB
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Before emerging as one of the NFL's premier linebackers, Williams began his college football career at Miami as a fullback due to a logjam at his primary position.
Just a freshman in 2001, Williams left Miami after the 2004 season and was the 17th overall selection of the Denver Broncos.
Currently still with his original team, Williams has been cited twice for DUI during his tenure in the NFL and faces substantial punishment should he get in trouble once again.
With four seasons of 100-plus tackles under his belt, including back-to-back campaigns over the last two seasons, Williams' talent is undeniable and should carve out a very prolific career once it's all said and done for the linebacker.
Ken Dorsey, QB
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Dorsey is currently spending his playing days as the quarterback of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
After soaking up the spotlight during his collegiate career, Dorsey was drafted in the seventh round of the 2003 draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Failing to leave his mark, the uninspiring quarterback was never anything more than a backup player and failed to seize the most of his opportunity.
He was traded to the Cleveland Browns in the 2006 season and it was the same story that it was in San Francisco. He was ultimately released in the early part of 2009 after posting very poor numbers in limited action.
He's just one of the many college quarterbacks that didn't have the gusto to cut it in the NFL.
Jonathan Vilma, LB
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Vilma had no problem stepping right in for the graduated Dan Morgan during the 2001 season at Miami.
The Super Bowl champion led the team in tackles in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and was a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award, along with his teammate and fellow linebacker DJ Williams.
He was drafted 12th overall by the Jets in 2004 and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. After putting together three straight seasons of over 100 tackles, Vilma spent 2007 on injured reserve due to microfracture knee surgery.
In 2008, Vilma was traded to the New Orleans Saints and has been an integral part of their defense since. The defensive signal-caller for the Super Bowl champions, Vilma has proven that he's got plenty of strength left in his knee and is very capable of playing at an extremely high level.
Ed Reed, S
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Reed was selected in the first round (24th overall) in the 2002 draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
After enjoying an incredibly productive college career, Reed has become an elite safety in the NFL. With six trips to the Pro Bowl under his belt, the former Hurricane was also the Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.
Since the AFL-NFL merger, only Ronnie Lott and Paul Krause have more games of two or more interceptions than Reed.
A member of Sporting News' Team of the Decade in 2009 and the only player unanimously selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008, Reed has scored 13 defensive touchdowns during his career.
Clinton Portis, RB
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Portis was a second-round selection of Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos in 2002.
He rushed for 1,500 yards in each of his first two seasons in the NFL, averaging 5.5 yards per carry over that span. His average YPC is a record for any running back over his first two seasons.
Before his third season, Portis was traded to Washington for CB Champ Bailey and a second-round selection in the upcoming draft. However, Portis had a tough time adjusting to the power running style that the Redskins utilized, and never really lived up to the lofty expectations that he set with the Broncos.
Now a quickly aging veteran of the game, Portis is oft injured and his best days seem to be well behind him.
Jeremy Shockey, TE
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It's rare to see a tight end selected in the first round, but that's exactly the case with Shockey.
The New York Giants made him the 14th overall selection in the 2002 draft, and he certainly didn't disappoint. In his rookie season, Shockey collected 894 yards receiving on 74 receptions and was an integral part of the aerial attack.
Known for his fantastic athleticism, route-running ability and tremendous blocking, Shockey seemed poised to spend his entire career in New York.
After a season-ending injury ended his 2007-08 season early, the Giants went on to win the Super Bowl, which gave rise to the popular thought that the team would be better off without the outspoken and increasingly injured tight end.
He was traded to the New Orleans Saints where he plays currently, but his involvement in the offense has steadily declined each season.
Andre Johnson, WR
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A lifelong member of the Texans, the Houston franchise made him their no. three selection in the 2003 draft.
With five seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving, Johnson has been and will continue to be an integral member of the Houston offensive approach. A four time Pro Bowl selection, Johnson has really emerged as one of, if not the game's top wide receiver.
Earning a reputation as one of the toughest players in the league, Johnson is just about as consistent as they come, and is the only receiver other than Jerry Rice to lead the NFL in receiving yards in consecutive seasons.
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