Miami Football: 15 greatest players of the Jimmy Johnson era

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48 passing TDs seventh in Miami history
29 passing TDs 1988 Miami record
49 TDs responsible for seventh in Miami history
29 TDs responsible for in 1988 third single season in Miami history

Steve Walsh was 23-1 as the Miami starting QB in 1987 and 1988. The only loss was in 1988 at Notre Dame. Under Walsh, Miami won its second national title and only one under Johnson in 1987. Walsh who took over as the starting QB from Vinny Testaverde was the first overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft.

In his first season as the starting QB, Walsh completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 2,249 yards, 19 TDs, and seven interceptions in leading Miami to a perfect 12-0 season. Miami defeated number one Oklahoma 20-14 in the 1988 Orange Bowl to win the 1987 National Championship.

Walsh improved his numbers in 1988 to a 59.7 completion percentage, 3,115 passing yards, 29 TDs, and 12 interceptions in earning first-team All-American. He was the runner-up for the Davey O’Brien Award and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. The 29 TD passes Walsh had in 1988 are still a Miami single-season record.

Walsh is seventh in Miami history in passing TDs with 48. During his Miami career, Walsh had a 59.4 completion percentage, 5.369 yards, and 19 interceptions to go with the 48 TD passes. Like Kosar, Walsh left Miami to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft and he won a Superbowl with Johnson in Dallas.

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