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| Jim Kelly (Photo Credit: University of Miami) |
Written By: Nathan Skinner (Canedude08)
Canes Rising Contributor
Editor's Note: Rank 'Em is a series that ranks any and everything that is Hurricane Athletics. This series will be featured every Wednesday, and we look forward to reading the counterarguments in the comment section!
Miami has been called "Quarterback U" for the better part of thirty years, and for good reason. The U has been home to some of the best signal callers in collegiate history, with some of them going on to great success at the next level. At one point, Miami had four former quarterbacks starting for NFL teams at the same time. Quarterbacks at The U have run the gamut from physically dominant, to mental giants, and everything in between.
Miami's Best Quarterbacks
1. Jim Kelly (1979-1982)
Jim doesn't have the stats of Testaverde, he doesn't have a national championship ring like Kosar and Dorsey, but he is the best combination of talent, production and intangibles. Kelly wasn't surrounded by overly talented players, the Miami program was emerging from a dark decade, a decade that saw the program on the brink of total annihilation. Kelly was the first modern link in the "Quarterback U" chain, he only played two full seasons, yet he was able to finish his career with over 5,000 yards passing and 33 touchdowns. As you already know, Kelly went on to great success after leaving Miami, starring in both the USFL, and NFL. Jim's outstanding professional career included four Super Bowl appearances, five Pro Bowl selections, as well as induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2. Vinny Testaverde (1982-1986)
Miami's first Heisman winner rewrote the record books during his storied career. While Testaverde's career remains a tad tarnished because of his performance against Penn State in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, he still put up big time numbers, and won a ton of games. In his Heisman winning 1986 campaign, Testaverde threw for 2,557 yards, and completed an impressive 63.4% of his passes. When he left The U, Testaverde held every significant passing record. Testaverde went on to a long NFL career, but failed to live up to the high expectations heaped upon him as a #1 overall selection.
3. Bernie Kosar (1983-1984)
Bernie has given the better part of his adult life to the University of Miami. From his time on the Board of Trustees, to his time under center, Kosar has been a loyal 'Cane. When Howard Schnellenberger named the scrawny, curly haired freshman the starting quarterback, most were shocked. It was Vinny Testaverde, who should have been starting, not Kosar the experts claimed. Kosar overcame those initial perceptions, and a 28-3 shellacking from the University of Florida and led the 'Canes to their first National Championship. Bernie's delivery wasn't pretty, but it was highly effective as he completed 61.3% of his pass for 2,329 yards and fifteen touchdowns in 1983. He had an even better season in 1984, setting career highs in touchdowns(25), and passing yards(3,642). Kosar was the first overall pick in the 1985 Supplemental Draft, and went on to a successful career with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins.
4. Ken Dorsey (1999-2002)
Ken was part of the best team in program history, but he wasn't just a mere observer.. While Dorsey has been wrongfully criticized as a player whose stats were more a reflection of overwhelming supporting talent, that talent wouldn't have been successful without the brilliant quarterback. His ability at the line of scrimmage was unmatched, he rarely forced throws, as evidenced by his career 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Dorsey was a winner, he won three Big East titles as a starter, 2 BCS Bowl games, and the 2001 National Championship. Dorsey had some individual successes, he finished in the top five of the Heisman voting twice during his career and won the 2001 Maxwell Award. His numbers were outstanding, Dorsey finished his career with 9,565 yards passing, and 86 touchdowns. Dorsey isn't higher on this list because he wasn't the most physically dominant and he did play with a supporting cast that is unmatched.
5. Steve Walsh (1986-1988)
It's never easy to succeed a legend, very few players can live up to the outrageous expectations that come with the task. Steve Walsh managed to not only succeed as Vinny Testaverde's successor, he also accomplished more than the Heisman winner. Walsh, like Dorsey wasn't the biggest, or the strongest, but was an excellent distributor. Steve realized early on that he wasn't the playmaker, the players around him were, and his job was to put those playmakers in position to do what they did best. His quiet demeanor and milquetoast image belied an intense competitor who demanded perfection from everyone, from Michael Irvin, to the lowliest member of the scout team. Walsh didn't win a Heisman, but he did put up Heisman level statistics, throwing for 5,369 yards and 48 touchdowns in his career. Walsh left school following the resignation of Jimmy Johnson, and was selected in the supplemental draft by his former coach. He started for the Cowboys in 1989, and shared snaps with #1 overall pick Troy Aikman. Following that season, Walsh was was traded to the Saints, a team he led to the playoffs in 1991.
6. Gino Torretta (1989-1992)
Miami's most recent Heisman winner put together two of the best seasons in school history. Gino had a knack for the big play, as evidenced by his outstanding numbers, he threw for over 3,000 yards twice in his Miami career. Torretta's talent was evident from his freshman season, as he stepped in for an injured Craig Erickson, and set the school record for most passing yards in an individual game in the process. Gino kept the 'Canes championship hopes alive that year, as Erickson returned late in the season, and led Miami to yet another title. The talented quarterback saw limited action in 1990, and then beat out highly touted Bryan Fortay for the starting job in 1991. Torretta never looked back, as he ran roughshod over opponents. The 1991 'Canes finished the season undefeated at 12-0, and were co-national champions with the Washington Huskies. Gino led the 1992 'Canes to another undefeated regular season, but was unable to close out his Heisman season with a national title, falling to Alabama in the USF&G Sugar Bowl. Following his highly successful collegiate career, Torretta had a short journeyman career in the NFL, before settling into a successful post football career.
7. George Mira Sr. (1961-1963)
Once upon a time, Miami was an unknown program, a program that was closer to Boise State, than Notre Dame in the minds of college football aficionados. That's hard to believe for those of us who were born after Reagan was elected President that "The U" once referred to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, not the 'Canes. George Mira Sr. was one of the few stars in a forgotten era, a talented quarterback who was one of the first scramblers to find success. He was the first Miami player to draw national attention, as he finished in the top ten of the Heisman voting twice in his career. While his statistics aren't anywhere near impressive, one has to take into context the era Mira played in. Most quarterbacks didn't complete 50% of their passes back then, and most teams passed out of necessity, not as part of a balanced offensive gameplan.
8. Craig Erickson (1987-1990)
The man who kept a future Heisman winner on the bench was himself a backup early in his career, as Erickson served as Steve Walsh's backup during the 1987 season. Erickson saw mop up duty, as the 'Canes stormed to their second national championship of the decade. Walsh returned for the 1988 season, once again forcing Erickson to the bench. When Erickson was finally named the starter, the 'Canes were coming off of the best three year stretch in school history, only losing two games over that span. That would be a lot of pressure for any player, but Erickson stepped into the fray and led the 'Canes to a National Title his first year. Erickson didn't put up the same stats that his successor, Torretta did, but he was consistent, throwing for 6,056 yards, and 46 touchdowns in four years. Craig blossomed as a senior, as he oversaw one of the most explosive offenses in school history, he had a 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio, and completed a career high 57.3% of his passes.
9. Brock Berlin (2003-2004)
We know, we know, he started his career as a Gator, but that doesn't change the fact that Brock finished his career as a legendary 'Cane. While he wasn't a national champion, or a Heisman finalist, Berlin was a player who was in the middle of some indelible moments. From "The Comeback" to his undefeated record against rivals FSU & Florida, Berlin was at his best in the biggest games. He was also at his best late in games, when he was allowed to be the reckless gunslinger he was born to be. Berlin played in a flawed system, a system that didn't highlight his considerable talents, it took a coaching change for him to truly blossom. In his first season, under offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, Berlin was wildly inconsistent, as the 'Canes fell from the ranks of the elite. Berlin's numbers in 2003 were mediocre at best, with the quarterback throwing seventeen interceptions, and only twelve touchdown passes. Those statistics improved drastically under Dan Werner, as Berlin emerged as one of the best players in the nation, throwing 22 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. Brock Berlin is also the last Miami quarterback to lead the 'Canes to a conference title. Not bad for someone who only had two seasons in the orange and green.
10. Jacory Harris (2008-2011)
The youngest member of the list came to Miami as part of the most hyped recruiting class in program history, and overcame inconsistent play and incompetent coaching to have a solid career. Harris spent the first three years of his tenure throwing mind boggling interceptions, and making other questionable decisions. He had an outstanding senior year, nearly cutting his interception numbers in half. The one thing lacking from Harris' resume is the lack of team success. His teams never won a national title, conference title, or bowl game. While football is a team game, a quarterback who isn't consistent will always be held personally responsible if the team fails to win. One can only wonder how great Harris could have been had he been under the tutelage of a competent staff.
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