Miami legend Ed Reed is eighth by CBS Sports college football writer Dennis "Dodd: Among 10 best players I've seen in person over six decades, Travis Hunter ranks near the top."
Dodd acknowledged other Miami players like "Sean Taylor, Michael Irvin, Bernie Kosar, Warren Sapp and Russell Maryland" could have been chosen."
Irvin is the player who basically created Swagger for Miami. Reed was the ultimate player who was a team leader. Reed helped lead Miami back from a devastating probation that crippled the program for most of the second half of the 1990s. Under Butch Davis Miami steadily became a national power again.
Reed was the Co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year 2001 and a Unanimous All-American in 2001 and a Consensus All-American in 2000. Reed finished his Miami career with 288 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 52 pass breakups, a Miami program-record 21 interceptions and four forced fumbles.
Miami was 41-8 during the four seasons Reed was on the active roster. Reed redshirted in 2001. Reed led a Miami secondary in 2001 with future first-round picks Philip Buchanon and Mike Rumph at cornerback. Sean Taylor was Reed's backup. The 2001 Miami national championship team is still considered the best team ever.
"Some player or another from Miami had to make this list. Reed happens to be my guy because he is a walking, talking example of Miami talent, swag, drip, leadership and style."Dennis Dodd. CBS Sports
No one embodied the 2001 Miami undefeated National Championship team more than Reed. Buchanon, defensive tackle William Joseph, end Jerome McDougal and Reed were named All-Americans from the Miami defense in 2001. Miami finished first nationally allowing 8.6 points per game in 2001.
Reed was first nationally with nine interceptions in 2001. The Miami defense also was first nationally in 2001 with 45 turnovers. Any list of the best players in Miami history will include Reed near the top. Reed embodied what it meant to be a leader for Miami on their most recent national championship team.