These are the Miami football players ESPN would build a program with

In celebration of the 150th season of college football, ESPN has had several top 150 lists throughout the season. The latest ranks the top 150 players of all-time and has several Miami football players on the sesquicentennial list.

Starting a hypothetical college football program from scratch with the greatest players of all-time would undoubtedly include several Miami football alums. The Hurricanes have produced numerous of the greatest players in the sport. Not all come from the glory years of the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s.

Jim Otto made his impact with the Hurricanes in the 1950s. George Mira and Ted Hendricks were standouts in the 1960s and Chuck Foreman starred for Miami in the 1970s. Not all of those great names made the list. The Miami football players on the list will be familiar to most Hurricanes fans. Revisiting a dynasty would be fun.

Ed Reed was the leader of the Miami defense through the Hurricanes 2001 national championship season. Teaming with future first-round draft picks Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams at linebacker the Hurricanes defense was dominant. The 2001 season culminated in a 37-14 Rose Bowl victory over Nebraska.

Reed is the first name on the list of greats. His position from ESPN is not going to sit well with Miami fans. Just making this list speaks volumes about his greatness. Some will cry that ESPN has a bias against the Hurricanes. The bigger picture needs to be looked at and the sheer number of players the Mothership had to choose from.

"138. Ed Reed (DB, Miami, 1998-2001)Tackles: 288 | Interceptions: 21 | Interception return yards: 389When Reed signed with The U in Feb. 1997, the Canes had just suffered their first losing season in 17 years. When he left after his senior season of 2001, Miami had regained the national championship. It was no coincidence — Reed played an integral role on that 2001 team, which won 10 of 12 games by at least 22 points.In one of the nail-biters, an 18-7 victory at Big East rival Boston College, Reed sealed the victory by stripping teammate Matt Walters of his interception and returning the ball 80 yards for a touchdown. Reed was named All-American in 2000 and 2001."

Warren Sapp played for Miami between the dynasties of the 1980s, early 1990s and the early 2000s juggernaut led by Reed. Sapp and Ray Lewis vary nearly led Miami to an upset victory over Nebraska in the 1995 Orange Bowl. The Hurricanes had a 17-7 third quarter victory and might have won a national championship with a win.

"122. Warren Sapp (DL, Miami, 1992-94)Tackles: 176 | Sacks: 19.5After arriving on campus as a 6-foot-3, 232-pound tight end, Sapp blossomed into a force on the defensive line. In 1994, the now-284-pound defensive tackle became the first Miami player ever to win the Lombardi Award, given to the best college player, regardless of position.That season, he had 84 tackles; led the Hurricanes in sacks (10.5), tackles for loss (9.0) and quarterback pressures (25); was a consensus All-American; and finished sixth in the Heisman voting. His trash talking fit right in with the Hurricane greats too.He declared for the draft after that season and was selected No. 12 overall in the 1995 NFL draft."

Ted Hendricks is the best Miami football player that most fans do not know about. He was a force for Miami coach Charlie Tate and helped lead the Hurricanes to a Liberty Bowl win in 1966 and Bluebonnet Bowl appearance in 1967. Hendricks went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Colts, Packers and Raiders.

"85. Ted Hendricks (DL, Miami, 1966-68)Tackles: 327 | Fumble recoveries: 12 | Interceptions: 2Born in Guatemala, the “Mad Stork” was a menacing defensive end who earned unanimous All-America honors in 1967 and ’68. He finished his Miami career with 327 tackles and an average of 109 per season. As a senior, he was named UPI National Lineman of the Year and finished fifth in Heisman voting.During his junior season, he caused nine turnovers, and he set a Miami record with 12 fumble recoveries in his career. Since 2002, the Ted Hendricks Award has been given to the best defensive end in the FBS."

The list released by ESPN on Thursday was from 26-150. The remainder of the list will be released on Monday. The top 11 will be released during halftime of the National Championship game between Clemson and LSU. ESPN will publish the other 14 on its website.