Three Miami football players named top 50 in 21st Century

The only player Morris named from the Miami Hurricanes offense is Bryant McKinnie. McKinnie protected Dorsey’s blind side and cleared holes for Jackson, Portis and McGahee to run.

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BRYANT MCKINNIE

Offensive Tackle, Miami (2000-2001)

• “Outland Trophy (2001)
• Jim Parker Award (2001)
• 2× First-team All-American (2000, 2001)
• 2× First-team All-Big East (2000, 2001)

"Bryant McKinnie spent the first two years of his career playing at Lackawanna Junior College. He’d been a defensive lineman in high school but switched to offensive tackle in junior college and after adding 75 pounds, the 6-foot-8, 355-pound McKinnie was one of the most highly touted JUCO transfers in the country in 1999. McKinnie accepted a scholarship to Miami where he redshirted for one season before becoming the team’s starting left tackle in 2000. He started every game for The U for two seasons, became a two-time first-team All-American, giving up one sack in two seasons as the Canes compiled a record of 25-1. On the ground, McKinnie cleared the way for running backs Najeh Davenport, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee who all dominated opponents in the running game. As a senior, McKinnie won the Outland Trophy and Jim Parker Award and is still considered one of the greatest offensive lineman in the history of college football. Bonus Fact: McKinnie’s college roommate was tight end, Jeremy Shockey. Both went on to become top 15 draft picks.”"

Next: Ed Reed only Miami FB player in CFB top 50 from 1967-2017

The success of the Miami football program had early in the 21st Century and during the first two seasons of the Mark Richt era lead to many great players. The debate will live on and evolve as we continue to go deeper into the current century. As Richt has the U on the way back to prominence, many players will be added to this list