81 Days to Miami football: Kellen Winslow and Calais Campbell

Tight end Kellen Winslow and defensive end Calais Campbell are two of the greatest players at their positions in the history of the Miami football program.

Kellen Winslow II was a dominant force in the middle of the field catching passes as a tight end and Calais Campbell dominated the line of scrimmage at defensive end in their Miami football careers. Winslow was a key reserve on special teams as a gunner on the Hurricanes special teams and backing up Jeremy Shockey at TE.

After catching two passes for 34 yards as a backup and making two memorable tackles on special teams in the 2002 Rose Bowl victory that earned Miami the National Championship Winslow became a starter in 2002.

Succeeding Shockey as the starting TE, Winslow had 57 receptions for 726 yards and eight TDs as a sophomore in 2002.  Winslow continued his excellent play as a junior in 2003 with 60 receptions for 605 yards and a TD in 2003.

Winslow was consensus All-American in 2003 and the John Mackey Award Winner as the Nation’s best TE despite a better season statistically in 2002. Winslow finished second in the Big East in receptions in 2003 and third in 2003, fourth in receiving yards in 2003 and third in receiving TDs the same year.

Following his Miami career, Winslow was the sixth overall pick in the first round by the Cleveland Browns. Winslow played nine seasons in the NFL after sitting out the 2005 season because of an injury.

Winslow finished his professional career with 469 receptions for 5,236 yards and 25 TDs. After recording 82 receptions for 1,106 yards, and five TDs in 2007, Winslow earned his only Pro Bowl appearance.

Calais Campbell became a prototype defensive end for the Miami football team from 2005-07. In his three seasons with Miami, Campbell finished with 129 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles. Campbell led the ACC with 20.5 TFLs and three forced fumbles during the 2006 season.

At 6’8 300 pounds, Campbell is still a presence on the defensive line in his 13th NFL season, currently with the Baltimore Ravens. For his career, Campbell has 696 tackles, 201 quarterback hits, 151 tackles for loss,  88 sacks, 48 passes defended, 14 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries.

Current Miami DE Greg Rousseau at 6’6, 260 pounds has been compared to Campbell. Rousseau had the second-best season by a pass rusher in Miami history with 15.5 sacks in 2019. Campbell was a second-round pick, 50th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. Rousseau should be taken higher in the 2021 NFL Draft.