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Miami Football: 15 greatest players of the Jimmy Johnson era

By Alan Rubenstein

Jan 2, 1989; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports © Copyright USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 1989; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports © Copyright USA TODAY Sports /
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George Mira Jr., Linebacker 1984-1987

  • Second in Miami history with 490 tackles
  • Fifth best season in Miami history with 147 tackles in 1987
  • Ninth best season in Miami history with 135 tackles in 1985
  • Third team All-American

Legacy Miami football player George Mira Jr. left the Hurricanes as the all-time leader with 490 tackles. Mira Jr. is the son of former Miami All-American quarterback George Mira Sr. Mira Jr. set the then-Miami record with 147 tackles during the Hurricanes 1987 National Championship season.

The single-season tackle record would stand at Miami until Ray Lewis had 152 in 1994 and followed that up with 160 in 1995. Mira Jr. was the first of many Miami football players to start in three consecutive New Year’s Day Bowl Games. Mira Jr. led Miami in tackles in 1985, 1986 and 1987.

Dan Morgan broke Mira Jr’s Miami career tackle record in 2000 when he finished his career with 532 tackles. Mira Jr. was a third-team Associated Press All-American in 1987. In his national breakout game Mira Jr. had 18 tackles in a 27-14 Miami upset of third-ranked Oklahoma in 1985.

Mira Jr. had 17 tackles in a 28-16 Miami win in 1986. In both games, Mira Jr. outperformed two-time Butkus Award winner Brian Bosworth. The induction of Mira Jr. into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame with his father made the Miras the second pair of father and son to be in the HOF.

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