Miami’s star power showed up on the Associated Press’ All-Time All-America teams, unveiled for the 100th anniversary of the AP All-America honor. The Hurricanes placed four legends on the two-deep: Ed Reed made the first team at safety, while Bryant McKinnie (tackle), Warren Sapp (defensive tackle) and Bennie Blades (safety) landed on the second team. The AP panel evaluated only college careers and required at least one AP first-team selection.
Ed Reed
Reed’s first-team nod is the headliner. A two-time consensus first-team All-American (including AP in 2000–01), he left Coral Gables with the school records for career interceptions (21) and interception return yards (389), and he keyed a defense that finished No. 1 nationally in scoring defense during the 2001 title run. Reed recorded nine interceptions in 11 games as a senior, plus four blocked kicks in his career.
Bryant McKinnie
On offense, McKinnie’s second-team selection places him with legends. The 2001 Outland Trophy winner helped anchor an offense that averaged 454.8 yards and 43.2 points per game that season. Miami’s line allowed just three sacks in the regular season. He did not allow a sack in 2000 and his blocking helped Miami through the 2001 title run.
Warren Sapp
Sapp’s name is included on the second-team defense. In 1994, Sapp swept the Lombardi Award (top lineman) and Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) while earning consensus All-America status, then finished sixth in the Heisman voting which is extraordinary for a defensive tackle.
Bennie Blades
Blades rounds out Miami’s foursome with a second-team safety spot that spans the program’s first modern dynasty. A two-time AP first-team All-American in 1986–87, he won the Jim Thorpe Award in 1987 while helping Miami complete a 12–0 national-title season. In the UM record book, Blades set the standard Reed eventually chased, including the school’s career interceptions mark and a then-record for interception return yards.