Miami Football: 15 greatest players of the Jimmy Johnson era

• 57 receptions in 1988 single season Miami RB record
• Single Game Miami RB record 11 receptions versus Notre Dame 1988
• 1988 First-Team All-American

Cleveland Gary was one of the first hybrid running backs. Gary finished his Miami career with 650 rushing yards and 12 TDs and 67 receptions for 794 yards and another six scores. Gary’s 57 receptions in 1988 remain the most by a RB in a single season in Miami football history.

Gary transferred to Miami following his freshman season at Georgia in 1984. In over three decades before the transfer portal, Gary had to sit out the 1985 season. As a senior in 1988, Gary led Miami with 480 rushing yards, 57 receptions for 655 yards receiving and 11 TDs. Gary was a 1988 consensus All-American.

Gary had big performances in 1988 with 11 receptions for 130 yards at Notre Dame and nine catches for 162 yards in an improbable Miami comeback at Michigan. Miami lost 31-30 at Notre Dame on a now infamous fumble call against Gary. The Hurricanes rallied from 30-16 down to win 31-30 at Michigan.

Gary was the 26th overall pick of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. In his second season, Gary led the NFL with 14 rushing TDs. Gary finished the 1992 season with 1,125 rushing yards and seven rushing TDs and added 52 receptions for 293 yards and another three scores.