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College Football Expert Phil Steele Names several Hurricanes for Pre-season accolades

Phil Steele released an annual magazine previewing the college football season, and several Hurricanes received pre-season recognition.

Rueben Bain, Damien Martinez, Andy Borregales, and Xavier Restrepo were all named to the All-America team.

Linebacker Francisco "Kiko" Mauigoa was named to the second team. DL Ruben Bain, K Andres Borregales, RB Damien Martinez, and WR Xavier Restrepo were all named to the third team.

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Several Hurricanes were named to the All-ACC team

Bain, Borregales, Martinez, Restrepo, Kiko Mauigoa, DL Simeon Barrow, and Cam Ward were named to the first team.

Cornerback Damari Brown, OL Anez Cooper, DB Mishael Powell, and OL Jalen Rivers were named to the second team, WR Jacolby George and Francis Mauigoa were third-team selections, and long-snapper Mason Napper made the fourth team.

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The magazine is set to be available in stores in approximately two weeks.

  • Poll
Poll: Most influential football team in Miami Hurricanes history

What season is the most influential for the Miami Hurricanes football progam?

  • 1983

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • 1986

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • 1987

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • 1991

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 1998

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 2000

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • 2001

    Votes: 5 55.6%
  • 1980

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 1967

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 0 0.0%

Influential means different things for different people.

The best teams don't always have the greatest impact on the program. Often, (especially with Miami), the season before the championship season may have the most influence on the next few seasons.

I've listed the teams that can be considered to have the greatest influence on the Miami Hurricanes football program.

It's an attempt to celebrate the far the program has come from its inception.

1926 - First season

This season is significant because it is just that—the first season. Some interesting context here is that the school wanted an on-campus stadium that season, but a Hurricane literally damaged those plans. Miami's first game was a 7-0 win over Rollins in front of just over 300 spectators.

1932 - First season that led to a bowl game

It was the first time Miami had a successful season and defeated Manhattan at Moore Park.

1954 - First top-ten finish

Head Coach Andy Gustafson led the Hurricanes to its first top-ten season and first legit national recognition.

1967 - First season with an African American player

Miami signed its first African-American player in 1966 and was the second major college program in the South to do so. Ray Bellamy from Palmetto, FL

1980 - Schnellenberger makes his mark

Howard Schnellenberger assumed the head coaching position in 1979, but it was his second season that the program seemed to shift. Miami earned an invite to the Peach Bowl and defeated Virginia Tech to finish its season at 9-3.

1983 - First Championship season

Surely, this season will get many votes for the most influential season in the program's history. The year solidified Miami as a college football contender for many years afterward.

1986 - Testaverde Heisman season

This season is significant because, obviously, it brought forth the first Heisman trophy winner in Vinny Testaverde, but many consider this year the true birth of the swagger that is synonymous with the University of Miami football program. Jimmy Johnson made his mark as a coach this year as the powerhouse continued to build although the team failed to win a championship.

1987 - First undefeated season

The season set a standard for excellence under Johnson. It was clearly a redemption year from '87- Miami's second national championship.

1989 - New coach, another championship

Jimmy Johnson took his talents to the Dallas Cowboys but Dennis Erickson made history becoming the first coach to win a title at year one at a school. He also incorporated a single back offense that grew as staple formation for offenses in the sport.

1991 - Second undefeated season

Miami won its third title in a redemption year as the 90 team set statistical records but fell short of the ultimate goal, losing twice.

1998 - The U is back?

This season ended with a classic game against UCLA where Edgerrin James ran for 299 yards. Many consider this season a turning point in the program after years of playing below the standard due to being on probation for NCAA violations.

2000 - The U is back, but snubbed

The season was a return to glory season, and many believe that the team should have played for the national title. FSU played in the title game, and Miami defeated them earlier that season. The season had a large impact on what was to come.

2001 - Best team of all-time

Many consider the 2001 national championship team the best college football team ever. Having that title alone has a huge impact.

2016 - Richt comes home to rebuild program

This season is perhaps one of the most underrated season but it was a team that finally brought success that fans were used to. Miami won a bowl game for the first time in ten years and nine Hurricanes were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.

2017 - Canes go 10-0

Richt's second season brought forth more success, and its first 10-0 season in quite some time. Miami was in the national championship conversation for the first time in over a decade and helped set a standard of what needs to be Miami Hurricanes football for future seasons.

Could Ward be the best NFL QB prospect from Miami since Testaverde?

Cam Ward has a chance to make history in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The last quarterback drafted from Miami was Brad Kaaya in the sixth round of 2017. Ken Dorsey was taken in the seventh round in 2003, and Scott Covington was also taken in the seventh in 1999. Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta was taken in the seventh round in 1993, and Craig Erickson was taken in the fourth round in 1992.

Ward could be the highest player drafted from Miami since Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde was drafted number one overall in 1987.

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UM President Julio Frenk to leave for job at UCLA

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To the University of Miami Community,

Today I share the news that President Julio Frenk will be leaving the University of Miami to serve as the next Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles, one of the world’s great public research universities, starting January 1, 2025.

In his nine years at the U, Julio led us through some of the most consequential moments in our history. He helped guide the University through unprecedented challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and empowered our students, faculty, and staff to achieve excellence in every area—education, research, patient care, and service to society. Our health system has achieved a dramatic turnaround. The U’s ascension to the Association of American Universities last year confirmed our position as one of the premier research universities in the country. We made historic investments to manage through significant—and ongoing—changes in intercollegiate athletics. We have continued to attract the best and brightest minds to partner with our community on pressing challenges from sustainability to cancer.

Julio’s tenure has been marked by resilience, vision, and an innovative management model that allowed us to attain remarkable results for our students, patients, and community. He will begin a sabbatical from the University of Miami starting today to focus on his transition to California as UCLA Chancellor-designate.

As we bid Julio farewell, our commitment to excellence remains unwavering. To that end, I am pleased to announce that following consultation with the leadership of the Faculty Senate, the Board of Trustees has selected Chief Executive Officer Joe Echevarria to serve as Acting President of the University of Miami, effective immediately. Joe has served as Julio’s very capable partner for the past four years—first as CEO of UHealth and for the past two years as CEO of our entire institution. Joe is a proud alumnus and a proven and accomplished leader whose deep commitment to our academic mission has enabled much of our recent success, with clear strategy and focused execution of our education, research, and health care missions. Those of you who have worked with Joe know that his gift for asking the right questions, empowering talented professionals, and insisting on accountability is precisely the steady leadership we need to persist on our journey of continuous improvement.

My fellow Trustees and I are also committed to ensuring an orderly leadership transition in the spirit of shared governance. At this key juncture, we are especially grateful for the constructive partnership we have built with the Faculty Senate. Over the next several months, the Board of Trustees will engage in a thoughtful and robust discussion with faculty and other important stakeholders to initiate the process of identifying the next President of the University of Miami.

As we approach our second century, we are mindful of our responsibility to not only maintain but also advance our leadership in all areas, and to continue the remarkable ascent of a university that has achieved so much in such a short time. On behalf of the entire University of Miami Board of Trustees, please join me in wishing Julio the very best as he prepares to take the helm at UCLA and thanking Joe for his willingness to serve the U again at this crucial moment.

Manny Kadre
Chair, Board of Trustees
University of Miami

Rising 2026 TE visiting Miami...

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The Canes are turning their attention to some 2026 tight ends and will host Jacobson on Friday and Saturday.

"I just can’t wait to get on campus and be around Coach Woodiel as well as the whole staff and see everything about Miami football," Jacobson said.

Jacobson recently picked up an offer from Ohio State after camping with them. Look for his stock to skyrocket in the coming weeks.

Miami Basketball's updated roster ahead of 2024 season

Departed or expected to depart: Norchad Omier (17.0 PPG), Wooga Poplar (13.1 PPG), Bensley Joseph (9.6 PPG), Kyshawn George (7.6 PPG), Christian Watson (2.8 PPG), Michael Nwoko (2.7 PPG), AJ Casey (1.9 PPG), Jakai Robinson (1.0 PPG)

Expected to return: Matthew Cleveland (13.7 PPG), Nijel Pack (13.3 PPG), Paul Djobet (2.4 PPG)

Incoming transfers: Jalen Blackmon (21.3 PPG at Stetson), Brandon Johnson (14.0 PPG at East Carolina), Lynn Kidd (13.2 PPG at Virginia Tech), Kiree Huie (11.3 PPG at Idaho State)

Incoming freshmen: Jalil Bethea (No. 10 in ESPN 100), Austin Swartz (No. 47 in ESPN 100), Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, (four-star), Divine Ugochukwu (three-star)

Who's your biggest disappointment leaving?

Appreciate the most returning?

Transfer most excited about?

Freshmen most excited about?
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