Building case for 4 Miami Hurricanes CFB HOF finalists

Former head coach Larry Coker and Miami Hurricanes alums, defensive tackle Jerome Brown, linebacker Darrin Smith and quarterback Ken Dorsey have been named by the National Football Foundation as finalists for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame 2024 class.

The basic requirements to be considered for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame are a .600 winning percentage for head coaches and to have earned first-team All-American for players. That eliminated many stars who would otherwise likely be considered for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The NFF profiled each of the finalists for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Coker could become the fifth Miami coach inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Andy Gustafson, Jack Harding, Dennis Erickson and Jimmy Johnson were previously inducted. Coker, Erickson and Johnson all won National Championships.

The only former Miami Hurricanes football players who are College Football Hall of Fame inductees are Bennie Blades, Don Bosseler, Ted Hendricks, Don James (who played at Miami but was inducted as a head coach), Russell Maryland, Ed Reed, Vinny Testaverde and Gino Torretta.

"“Larry Coker-Miami [FL] (2001-06), UTSA (2011-15)-Posted a 60-15 record at Miami, including an astounding 35-3 record in his first three seasons…Led the Canes to consecutive BCS Championship Games, winning at the 2002 Rose Bowl and becoming the first rookie head coach to lead his team to a national title since 1948.Led Miami to three Big East crowns and orchestrated a dominant 2001 offense that set a Big East record with 475 points scored in the regular season.”"

Under the leadership of Coker in his inaugural season as a head coach, the 2001 Miami Hurricanes National Championship football team is considered the consensus best team in the history of college football. Miami finished the 2001 season 12-0. The 2001 Hurricanes averaged 42.7 points per game and allowed 9.8 PPG.

"“Jerome Brown, Miami (FL)-Defensive Tackle-1986 unanimous First Team All-American and finalist for both the Outland and Lombardi trophies as senior…Helped Canes to four consecutive New Year’s Day bowl games…Ranks 10th in school history with 21 career sacks."

Brown helped set the foundation for the swagger the Miami Hurricanes became known for during their championship years. Brown and quarterback Vinny Testaverde led Miami off the airplane when they arrived for the 1987 Fiesta Bowl dressed in fatigues. The Philadelphia Eagles chose Brown ninth overall in the 1987 NFL Draft.

"Ken Dorsey, Miami (FL)-Quarterback-2002 First Team All-American who led the Canes to back-to-back BCS Championship games, winning the national title his junior season…Two-time Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Year and 2001 Maxwell Player of the Year.Left Miami as the school record holder in career total offense and passing yards."

Dorsey is one of the most decorated players in Miami Hurricanes’ history. In three years as the starting QB, Dorsey led Miami to a 38-2 record in the games he started. That included 34 straight wins from 2000 through the 2003 Fiesta Bowl loss. Dorsey is the Miami all-time leader in career passing touchdowns.

"Darrin Smith, Miami (FL)-Linebacker-Two-time First Team All-American who helped the Canes to two national championships (1989, 1991)…1992 NFF National Scholar-Athlete led Miami to two Big East titles, never losing a conference game during his career.1991 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year and two-time First Team All-Conference performer."

Smith was part of an incredible Miami linebacking corps with Jesse Armstead and Micheal Barrow. Smith is fifth in Miami history with 401 career tackles. Following his Miami career Smith was the 54th overall pick in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Smith had an 11-year NFL career with four teams.