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| Vince Wilfork (Photo Credit: Getty Images) |
Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
@CanesRisingBlog Contributor
The Rank 'Em series moves into the trenches this week. Defensive linemen are the glue of any great defense. D-Linemen serve as the first and most important barrier because without a defensive line, linebackers can't make plays, and the secondary would be mere speed bumps on the way to the end zone. Therefore, having great line play is crucial to a great defense. Miami defenses over the years have been led by some outstanding linemen, most of whom have won prestigious awards, and been named to different All-American, and All-Conference teams.
Miami's Best D-Linemen
The Mad Stork was a player who could play in any era, and dominate. Ted Hendricks was a physical marvel, a long, lanky athlete who could set the edge better than any player in program history. He still holds the record for most tackles made by a Miami defensive linemen, with 327 stops in three seasons. Hendricks was a two time All-American, and finished 5th in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1968. In an era in which Miami rarely merited attention, Hendricks' brilliance made The U a prime time attraction.
2. Jerome Brown (1983-1986)
While most of us remember Jerome's love of green camouflage, and his tragic death, his contributions on the field is what got him on this list. Jerome was one of the first athletic defensive tackles who could dominate a game from the middle. Brown's uncanny athletic ability was a major reason why the Oklahoma wishbone was rendered obsolete midway through the 80s. His 21 sacks are 10th most in program history, and Brown was named a Consensus All-American in 1986.
3. Warren Sapp (1992-1994)
What Jerome started, Warren came the closest to perfecting. Out of all of the defensive tackles on this list, Sapp was the one who had the biggest impact on the national level. The honors were numerous, and included the Nagurski, Lombardi, and Bednarik Awards. Warren finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy race in 1994, a year that saw him put together one of the most dominant seasons ever seen from an interior linemen. Sapp finished that season with 10.5 sacks, 88 tackles, and five pass deflections. The '94 'Canes were one of the most dominant defenses in school history, and the manchild in the middle was a big reason why.
4. Cortez Kennedy (1988-1989)
While his tenure at The U ended after two years, Tez had a huge impact that went beyond his short tenure. The 1989 Miami defensive line was one of the better units in school history, and Kennedy was the linchpin of that decorated group. Cortez overcame a weight problem to become almost unblockable during his career, his agility and ability to split double teams being a reason why players like Greg Mark were able to rack up huge sack numbers. The man once known as "Two Play" Tez was named a Second Team All-American in 1989, as the 'Canes won their third National Championship of the decade.
5. Daniel Stubbs (1984-1987)
Miami's all time sack leader was a player who couldn't be ignored on the field or off. Daniel Stubbs was a character, and remains one of the best pure pass rushers in school history. Stubbs was a certified quarterback killer, collecting 39.5 sacks in four seasons, with a seventeen sack season in 1986. What made the New Jersey import special was his unique combination of size and speed. While players like Cortez Kennedy and Warren Sapp were quick for big guys, Stubbs was just flat out quick, regardless of size. When one can run with tailbacks, yet still be strong enough to manhandle offensive linemen, it's frightening. Daniel Stubbs was frightening, and helped make Jimmy Johnson's "Miami Vise" defense legendary.
6. Russell Maryland (1987-1990)
Most of the players on this list were highly recruited studs who were destined for greatness. Russell Maryland was destined for greatness, but most thought it was only going to happen in the classroom. Following a solid high school career, Maryland was lightly recruited, with only schools at the Division II level showing significant interest. Russell was recruited by Miami on a lark, and that turned out to be one of the best decisions ever made. Maryland wasn't a factor early in his career, but became a dominant defensive tackle, finishing his collegiate career with 279 tackles, 20.5 quarterback sacks, and 25 tackles for loss. Nicknamed "The Conscience" for his outstanding leadership ability, Maryland was named the winner of the 1990 Outland Award, an award given to the best defensive linemen in college football.
7. Vince Wilfork (2001-2003)
ABC's Keith Jackson was on to something when he told a national audience to remember the name Vince Wilfork, for the mountain from Boynton Beach became a force for the 'Canes. Wilfork was a bit player on the 2001 team, but slowly worked his way into the rotation in 2002 racking up seven sacks, and 43 tackles. 2003 was a breakout season for the big man, as he collected 64 sacks, and led the team in quarterback hurries, with twenty. Wilfork was named First Team All Big East in 2003, and drew some notice on the national level. Vince was yet another dominant defensive tackle who brought an unusual athleticism to the position, but it was his ability to penetrate the backfield that made him dangerous. Wilfork may have looked weird with his stubby legs, and protruding belly, but once he started to move, offensive linemen didn't stand a chance.
8. Greg Mark (1986-1989)
Greg Mark wasn't the most physically dominant player on the field, nor the most athletic, but he was an outstanding technician. Mark was rarely the star on the Miami defensive line, Cortez Kennedy and Russell Maryland held that role, but Greg had an uncanny ability to find his way to the quarterback. How else would you explain that it's Mark, not Warren Sapp, not Vince Wilfork that is second all time in career sacks at Miami? His 34.5 career sacks are a fitting testament of a player who may have not been on the cover of magazines, but was quietly excellent.
9. Kenny Holmes (1993-1996)
Some players are victims of awful timing, Kenny Holmes is one of the most glaring examples of that phenomenon. Holmes dominated at a time in which The U was at a crossroads, the "Decade of Dominance" had come to a shocking end, and future of the program looked bleak. Miami still had some talent, but it wasn't anywhere near the level seen previously, and as a result, a lot of people ignored the program. Holmes was a player that fans couldn't ignore, he was a beast, accumulating 30 sacks in his career, and was named All Big-East twice.
10. Bill Hawkins (1985-1988)
Did you know that Bill Hawkins was a consensus All-American? No, this isn't "Trivia Time at Canes Rising", the question was asked because most Miami fans don't realize how valuable the defensive end was to Jimmy Johnson's 'Canes. Hawkins, like Hendricks and Holmes was a rangy, long athlete who was able to use his arms to ward off opposing blockers. His athleticism made him valuable on special teams, as he was able to block kicks, and recover a couple of blocked kicks, including an impressive one handed snag against South Carolina. Hawkins was a consistent player, so much so that Jimmy Johnson once remarked that Hawkins "Was the most consistent linemen I've ever coached." Jimmy Johnson coached Jerome Brown and Daniel Stubbs at Miami, he also coached Pitt star Hugh Green, so that is extremely high praise. A local product, Hawkins was redshirted his first year, and then emerged as a star, racking up 22 career sacks, which places him in the top ten all time at The U.
Honorable Mention: Rusty Medearis (1990-1994)
Football is a cruel game, injuries happen all the time, and those injuries can be life changing. Rusty Medearis was a victim of such a cruel fate, suffering a crippling knee injury midway through his career. Medearis was one of the best pure pass rushers in Miami history, once getting 5.5 sacks in a game. That game, which came in his first start as a 'Cane, showcased Rusty at his best. He was quick, aggressive, and intimidating. His 22 sacks are still tied for seventh most in program history, the impressive part is that Medearis only played two full seasons, he was forced to retire after that crippling injury. The question that will always be asked about the 1991 2nd Team All-American is what could have been. Had Medearis been able to play at a high level for four years, it's likely he would have rewritten the record books.
2. Jerome Brown (1983-1986)
While most of us remember Jerome's love of green camouflage, and his tragic death, his contributions on the field is what got him on this list. Jerome was one of the first athletic defensive tackles who could dominate a game from the middle. Brown's uncanny athletic ability was a major reason why the Oklahoma wishbone was rendered obsolete midway through the 80s. His 21 sacks are 10th most in program history, and Brown was named a Consensus All-American in 1986.
3. Warren Sapp (1992-1994)
What Jerome started, Warren came the closest to perfecting. Out of all of the defensive tackles on this list, Sapp was the one who had the biggest impact on the national level. The honors were numerous, and included the Nagurski, Lombardi, and Bednarik Awards. Warren finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy race in 1994, a year that saw him put together one of the most dominant seasons ever seen from an interior linemen. Sapp finished that season with 10.5 sacks, 88 tackles, and five pass deflections. The '94 'Canes were one of the most dominant defenses in school history, and the manchild in the middle was a big reason why.
4. Cortez Kennedy (1988-1989)
While his tenure at The U ended after two years, Tez had a huge impact that went beyond his short tenure. The 1989 Miami defensive line was one of the better units in school history, and Kennedy was the linchpin of that decorated group. Cortez overcame a weight problem to become almost unblockable during his career, his agility and ability to split double teams being a reason why players like Greg Mark were able to rack up huge sack numbers. The man once known as "Two Play" Tez was named a Second Team All-American in 1989, as the 'Canes won their third National Championship of the decade.
5. Daniel Stubbs (1984-1987)
Miami's all time sack leader was a player who couldn't be ignored on the field or off. Daniel Stubbs was a character, and remains one of the best pure pass rushers in school history. Stubbs was a certified quarterback killer, collecting 39.5 sacks in four seasons, with a seventeen sack season in 1986. What made the New Jersey import special was his unique combination of size and speed. While players like Cortez Kennedy and Warren Sapp were quick for big guys, Stubbs was just flat out quick, regardless of size. When one can run with tailbacks, yet still be strong enough to manhandle offensive linemen, it's frightening. Daniel Stubbs was frightening, and helped make Jimmy Johnson's "Miami Vise" defense legendary.
6. Russell Maryland (1987-1990)
Most of the players on this list were highly recruited studs who were destined for greatness. Russell Maryland was destined for greatness, but most thought it was only going to happen in the classroom. Following a solid high school career, Maryland was lightly recruited, with only schools at the Division II level showing significant interest. Russell was recruited by Miami on a lark, and that turned out to be one of the best decisions ever made. Maryland wasn't a factor early in his career, but became a dominant defensive tackle, finishing his collegiate career with 279 tackles, 20.5 quarterback sacks, and 25 tackles for loss. Nicknamed "The Conscience" for his outstanding leadership ability, Maryland was named the winner of the 1990 Outland Award, an award given to the best defensive linemen in college football.
7. Vince Wilfork (2001-2003)
ABC's Keith Jackson was on to something when he told a national audience to remember the name Vince Wilfork, for the mountain from Boynton Beach became a force for the 'Canes. Wilfork was a bit player on the 2001 team, but slowly worked his way into the rotation in 2002 racking up seven sacks, and 43 tackles. 2003 was a breakout season for the big man, as he collected 64 sacks, and led the team in quarterback hurries, with twenty. Wilfork was named First Team All Big East in 2003, and drew some notice on the national level. Vince was yet another dominant defensive tackle who brought an unusual athleticism to the position, but it was his ability to penetrate the backfield that made him dangerous. Wilfork may have looked weird with his stubby legs, and protruding belly, but once he started to move, offensive linemen didn't stand a chance.
8. Greg Mark (1986-1989)
Greg Mark wasn't the most physically dominant player on the field, nor the most athletic, but he was an outstanding technician. Mark was rarely the star on the Miami defensive line, Cortez Kennedy and Russell Maryland held that role, but Greg had an uncanny ability to find his way to the quarterback. How else would you explain that it's Mark, not Warren Sapp, not Vince Wilfork that is second all time in career sacks at Miami? His 34.5 career sacks are a fitting testament of a player who may have not been on the cover of magazines, but was quietly excellent.
9. Kenny Holmes (1993-1996)
Some players are victims of awful timing, Kenny Holmes is one of the most glaring examples of that phenomenon. Holmes dominated at a time in which The U was at a crossroads, the "Decade of Dominance" had come to a shocking end, and future of the program looked bleak. Miami still had some talent, but it wasn't anywhere near the level seen previously, and as a result, a lot of people ignored the program. Holmes was a player that fans couldn't ignore, he was a beast, accumulating 30 sacks in his career, and was named All Big-East twice.
10. Bill Hawkins (1985-1988)
Did you know that Bill Hawkins was a consensus All-American? No, this isn't "Trivia Time at Canes Rising", the question was asked because most Miami fans don't realize how valuable the defensive end was to Jimmy Johnson's 'Canes. Hawkins, like Hendricks and Holmes was a rangy, long athlete who was able to use his arms to ward off opposing blockers. His athleticism made him valuable on special teams, as he was able to block kicks, and recover a couple of blocked kicks, including an impressive one handed snag against South Carolina. Hawkins was a consistent player, so much so that Jimmy Johnson once remarked that Hawkins "Was the most consistent linemen I've ever coached." Jimmy Johnson coached Jerome Brown and Daniel Stubbs at Miami, he also coached Pitt star Hugh Green, so that is extremely high praise. A local product, Hawkins was redshirted his first year, and then emerged as a star, racking up 22 career sacks, which places him in the top ten all time at The U.
Honorable Mention: Rusty Medearis (1990-1994)
Football is a cruel game, injuries happen all the time, and those injuries can be life changing. Rusty Medearis was a victim of such a cruel fate, suffering a crippling knee injury midway through his career. Medearis was one of the best pure pass rushers in Miami history, once getting 5.5 sacks in a game. That game, which came in his first start as a 'Cane, showcased Rusty at his best. He was quick, aggressive, and intimidating. His 22 sacks are still tied for seventh most in program history, the impressive part is that Medearis only played two full seasons, he was forced to retire after that crippling injury. The question that will always be asked about the 1991 2nd Team All-American is what could have been. Had Medearis been able to play at a high level for four years, it's likely he would have rewritten the record books.
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