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2002 Miami Hurricanes Nearly Match 2001 for 1st Round NFL Draft Picks

By Alan Rubenstein

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 3, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Willis McGahee (26) runs against Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Daryl Smith (51) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

RB Willis McGahee 23rd Overall to Buffalo

Willis McGahee took over the great mantle of Miami Running Backs from Clinton Portis. In just one season as a starter, McGahee set the school single-season rushing record. McGahee finished 2002 with 1,753 yards and 28 touchdowns.

He added 27 receptions for another 355 yards. McGahee had two games rushing for over 200 yards in 2002. His 2,108 yards from scrimmage also set the Miami single-season record.

McGahee left Miami as the school’s sixth all-time leading rusher. He is currently ninth. McGahee also set the school record for 100-yard rushing games with nine.

After tearing his Anterior Cruciate and Medial Collateral Ligaments in his knee, McGahee missed his entire rookie season. He came back very strong.

McGahee reached 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first two NFL seasons. He ran for 1,128 yards and caught 22 passes for another 169 yards.

He followed that up with 1,247 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 178 yards. McGahee had 1,000-yard seasons three of his first four years in the NFL. He fell only ten yards shy of the K mark in 2006.

The first three of those seasons was spent in Buffalo. The Bills traded him to Baltimore for the 2006 season.

McGahee was productive for the Ravens, but after the 2006 season injuries cost him the starting halfback job. McGahee moved to fullback to block for Ray Rice. Although he was a secondary ball carrier, McGahee scored a career-high 14 touchdowns in 2009.

McGahee left Baltimore and signed with the Denver Broncos for the 2011 season. He had a resurgence, rushing for 1,199 yards and four touchdowns.

McGahee’s resurgence was halted a year later by another knee and leg injury. He was on pace for another 1,000-yard season when he suffered a  torn medial collateral ligament and compression fracture in his right knee against the San Diego Chargers.

The star running back’s career would end a season later in a mostly nondescript season in Cleveland. McGahee finished his career in the top 50 in three rushing categories.

He had four 1,000 yard seasons rushing, McGahee finished his career with 8.474 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns. He added another 1,334 yards receiving and five touchdowns.

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