Bleacher Report ranks two Miami legends in top 10 players since 2000

Bleacher Report’s new ranking of the 25 best college football players of the 21st century doubles as a reminder of Miami’s imprint on the sport. Two Hurricanes made the cut — Ed Reed at No. 6 and Bryant McKinnie at No. 10 — while Sean Taylor earned an honorable mention nod.

For context, Bleacher Report’s panel voted across the sport’s first quarter-century of this millennium. The top of the list is Tim Tebow at No. 1, followed by Cam Newton, Reggie Bush, Ndamukong Suh and Vince Young before Reed at six.

Sean Taylor - Honorable Mention

Taylor, cited among the "most gut-wrenching omissions", is recognized for his 10 interceptions and 85 tackles in 2003. The honorable mentions were RB Adrian Peterson, EDGE Chase Young, RB Darren McFadden, RB Derrick Henry, LB James Laurinaitis, QB Johnny Manziel, WR Justin Blackmon, QB Kellen Moore, QB Marcus Mariota, S Sean Taylor, S Tyrann Mathieu and EDGE Will Anderson Jr.

Bryant McKinnie - No. 10

McKinnie’s No. 10 slot is the offensive line cameo in a list that skews in the direction of quarterbacks and skill talent toward the top of the list. He didn’t allow a single sack during two seasons at Miami, won the Outland Trophy and even finished eighth in the 2001 Heisman voting. McKinnie was voted as high as No. 8 and is ranked as the top OL since 2000 by Bleacher Report.

"It's truly a shame that advanced stats for offensive linemen did not exist when Bryant McKinnie was at Miami in 2000 and 2001. Do grading scales go higher than 100 percent? He would've deserved it."

BR College Football Staff

Ed Reed - No. 6

Reed’s placement at No. 6 makes perfect sense as he helped Miami get back to the mountain-top in 2001. Reed finished with 21 career interceptions, 389 return yards, and was a consensus All-American in 2001. Reed was a three-time All-Big East selection and is the second-highest ranked defensive player on the list. He also received a vote for as high as No. 3 on the list.

"Patrolling the back end of what is remembered as one of the greatest defenses in history — and arguably the best ever — Ed Reed was electric."

BR College Football Staff