On a CBS Sports HQ hit with Danny Kanell ahead of Miami–FSU, Irvin was asked for his Mount Rushmore of Hurricanes. Instead of squeezing it to four, he rattled off a list of players to be recognized that included Ray Lewis, Jerome Brown, Alonzo Highsmith, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, and the Playmaker himself. The clip was shared by Kanell on X.
Michael Irvin gave us his Mt Rushmore of Hurricanes …some may surprise u! pic.twitter.com/5PnwXd3aVX
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) October 4, 2025
Michael Irvin's Mount Rushmore of Miami Hurricanes players
- Ray Lewis (LB, 1993–95) — 1995 first-team All-American, Butkus runner-up; posted 160 tackles as a junior (second-most in Miami single-season history) before becoming a first-round pick and a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Inducted into Miami’s Ring of Honor (2017).
- Jerome Brown (DT, 1983–86) — Unanimous All-American (1986); finished his Miami career with 183 tackles and 21 sacks (still top-10 at Miami). Ring of Honor (2014).
- Alonzo Highsmith (RB/FB, 1983–86) — Starter on the 1983 national title team; career totals: 1,914 rush yards, 2,935 all-purpose yards, 25 TD's (among Miami's all-time leaders at the time). First-round pick in 1987; University of Miami Sports Hall of Famer.
- Ed Reed (S, 1997–2001) — Cornerstone of the 2001 national champions; Miami and Big East career INT record (21), plus 389 INT return yards, both school records. College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2018) and Ring of Honor (2017).
- Sean Taylor (S, 2001–03) — 2003 consensus All-American, Big East Defensive POY, and nation's INT leader with 10 (tied for the Miami single-season record). Taylor also set the program mark with three pick-six returns in one season. He was inducted into the ring of Honor in 2017.
- Michael Irvin (WR, 1985–87) — 1987 national champion who left Miami holding career records for catches (143), yards (2,423) and TD receptions (26); the 73-yard winner vs. FSU in 1987 is part of Miami folklore. Ring of Honor (2017).