Miami legend Darrin Smith, who is the only player to ever win two national championships and two Super Bowls, was announced as a College Football Hall of Famer on Wednesday, Smith played for Miami from 1989 through 1992 where he won national championships as a freshman and junior.
Smith is fourth in Miami history with 401 career tackles. Micheal Barrow, who played for Miami from 1989 through 1992, is third with 423. Smith was a First-Team All-American in 1991 and 1992, the Big East co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1991 and All-Big East in 1991 and 1992.
Jessie Armstead, Barrow and Smith gave Miami a ferocious linebacking trio known as the Bermuda Triangle. With Armstead, Barrow and Smith controlling the middle of the Miami defense, the Hurricanes won 29 consecutive games from 1990 through 1992 and were named the 1991 Associated Press National Champion.
Smith is the 11th Miami player, 16th Hurricane overall and third LB who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Ted Hendricks in 1987 and Dan Morgan in 2021 were the previous Miami LBs inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Another Hurricane is on his way to the College Football Hall of Fame 🙌
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 15, 2025
Congratulations to Canes legend Darrin Smith on his well-deserved induction into the @NFFNetwork HOF!
🔗: https://t.co/n2x7W6kfsb pic.twitter.com/Yo3BTcKKwC
The most memorable game of Smith's career was likely when he had 18 tackles in Miami's 17-16 win over Florida State on their way to the 1991 National Championship. The 1991 season was Smith's best with Miami recording 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 5.0 quarterback pressures, 4.0 passes defended and one forced fumble.
In addition to his 401 career tackles, Smith had 10.0 sacks, 15 TFLs, and 24 pass breakups in his collegiate career. During Smith's four seasons on the active roster, Miami never allowed more than 16.5 points per game during a season. The 1991 National Champions allowed 9.1 PPG.
Other notable inductees in Smith's class include Michael Strachan, who played at Texas Southern collegiately, and multiple-time national championship coaches Nick Saban and Urban Meyer. The induction ceremony will take place at the National Football Foundation Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.