Miami Football: 15 greatest players of the Jimmy Johnson era
- 143 Career Receptions-fifth in Miami history
- 2,423 Career receiving yards- third in Miami history
- 194 receiving yards in1986 versus East Carolina-Sixth in Miami history
- 26 receiving TDs-Most in Miami history
- 11 receiving TDs 1986-second in Miami history
- First-team All-American 1986
- Second-team All-American 1987
The playmaker. On the Miami football teams that emerged in the mid-1980s, Michael Irvin was the playmaker the Hurricanes’ pro-style offense needed. Irvin had a breakout freshman season with 46 receptions for 840 yards and nine TDs. That was a freshmen record for receptions that stood under 2016.
Irvin earned freshman All-America honors. As a sophomore, Irvin topped his freshmen numbers with 53 receptions for 868 yards and 11 TDs. Irvin earned second-team All-America in 1986. When he left Miami Irvin held program records with 2,423 receiving yards and 26 TDs. Irvin is currently third in receiving yards and first in TDs.
Irvin lived up to his nickname with multiple iconic plays in his three seasons at Miami. A 73-yard catch and run down the right sideline at Florida State in 1987 was a pivotal play on the way to Miami winning a 1987 National Championship. The Miami offense finished in the top five in scoring in all three seasons with Irvin.
Irvin has been one of the most vocal supporters of the U as an alum. Following his legendary Miami career Irvin was the 11th overall pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1988 NFL Draft. Johnson was hired by Dallas one year later and he and Irvin won two Superbowls together with the Cowboys.