Miami football became quarterback U during 1980s NFL Drafts

The Miami football program became quarterback U during the 1980s. Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde and Steve Walsh all became first-round NFL Draft picks at the conclusion of their Miami careers. Walsh was the last Miami QB taken in the first round when he was chosen in the 1989 NFL Supplemental Draft.

Kelly was the 14th pick in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, Kosar a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 1985 NFL Supplemental Draft, Testaverde the first overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1987 NFL Draft followed by Walsh two years later. Kelly spent the first two years of his career in the USFL.

In two seasons with the Houston Gamblers, Kelly completed 730 passes in 1,154 attempts for 83 touchdowns and 45 interceptions while running for 663 yards and another six TDs. Kelly started a passing revolution playing in the Mouse Davis Run and Shoot offense. Houston finished 13-5 in the first season of the USFL in 1983.

The Gamblers were upset 17-16 by the Arizona Wranglers in the first round of the USFL Playoffs. Kelly threw for 301 yards and run for a TD, but was also intercepted twice. Houston slid back in 1985 with a 10-8 record. The Gamblers scored 544 points in 1985 after scoring 618 during the 1984 season.

Kosar succeeded Kelly and elevated the Miami football program. After losing their season opener 28-3 to Florida in 1983, the Hurricanes won their last 11 games finishing 11-1 and win the first National Championship in program history. Koser threw for 3,642 yards in 1985 which is still the Miami single-season record.

Following the 1985 season, Kosar left for the NFL. Testaverde continued to raise the bar at QB for the Miami football program as the successor to Kosar. Miami finished 22-2 in the two seasons with Testaverde at QB. In 1986, Testaverde threw for 2,557 yards, 26 TDs and nine interceptions and won the Heisman Trophy.

Miami was on the verge of National Championships entering their bowl games following the 1985 and ’86 seasons with Testaverde as the QB. The Hurricanes lost 35-7 in the 1986 Sugar Bowl to Tennessee and the 1987 Fiesta Bowl 14-10 to Penn State. Walsh succeeded Testaverde for the 1987 season.

In two seasons with Walsh as the starting QB, Miami finished 23-1. Miami won its sole National Championship under Jimmy Johnson with a 12-0 1987 season. In 1988 Miami finished 11-1 with a loss on a questionable call at Notre Dame. Walsh set the Miami single-season record with 29 TD passes in 1988.

Miami has had prolific QBs since Walsh left following the 1988 season. Craig Erickson, Gino Toretta and Ken Dorsey all led Miami to National Championships. Torretta won the 1992 Heisman Trophy. Miami finished 34-2 in three seasons with Dorsey as the starting QB and won the 2001 National Championship.

Brad Kaaya set the Miami career passing yardage record from 2014-2016. Several Miami QBs after Dorsey made NFL rosters. With Tyler Van Dyke returning at QB for the 2022 season the future looks bright for Miami at QB. Jake Garcia and Jacurri Brown poised to succeed Van Dyke provide Miami a deep and talented QB corps.