The "U" Factor

It's a known fact that the University of Miami was a force to be reckoned with in College Football from 1999 through 2005; producing a National Championship in 2001 and a controversial loss in 2002 to Ohio State. This had me wondering how many former UM players are currently playing in the NFL and how much of a factor are they to their teams. There is an astonishing 50 former Hurricanes with 31 of them starting for their respective teams. The U had 19 players drafted in the first round from 2001 through 2004 and a total of 65 players from 1999 through 2008. That's more players drafted than from any other college during that time period. For the past 14 years, from 1994 through 2008, Miami has had at least one player selected in the first round of the NFL draft, a record unmatched by any other college or university. Producers of 5 National Championships, 4 Hall of Famers and 21 A-list candidates for the Hall, there is no wonder why the University of Miami has been dubbed "NFL U". With promising years ahead for the program, "NFL U" will continue to produce Quality players. Here is a list of former Hurricanes currently in the NFL.

Starters are notated by a *

Arizona Cardinals


Campbell, Calais DE Rookie
*James, Edgerrin RB 10 Years
*Rolle, Antrel FS 4 Years

Atlanta Falcons

Sharpe, Glenn CB Rookie

Baltimore Ravens

Gooden, Taveres OLB Rookie
*Lewis, Ray ILB 13 Years
*McGahee, Willis RB 6 Years
*Reed, Ed FS 7 Years

Buffalo Bills
*Parrish, Roscoe WR 4 Years

Carolina Panthers

*Beason, John MLB 2 Years
*Lewis, Damione DT 8 Years

Chicago Bears

Olsen, Greg TE 2 Years
McGlover, Darnell LB 5 Years
*Hester, Devin KR 3 Years

Cincinnati Bengals

Harris, Orien DT 1 Year

Cleveland Browns

Dorsey, Ken QB 6 Years
Thomas, Santonio DT 2 Years
Williams, Leon ILB 3 years
*Winslow, Kellen TE 5 Years

Denver Broncos

*Webster, Nate MLB 9 Years
*Williams, D.J. OLB 5 Years

Houston Texans

Butler, Rashad OT 3 Years
Jenkins, Darnell WR Rookie
*Johnson, Andre WR 6 Years
* Myers, Chris C 4 years
*Winston, Eric T 3 Years

Indianapolis Colts

*Wayne, Reggie WR 8 Years

Miami Dolphins

*Carey, Vernon RT 5 Years

Minnesota Vikings

*McKinnie, Bryant LT 7 Years

New England Patriots

*Meriweather, Brandon SS 2 Years
*Wilfork, Vince NT 5 Years

New Orleans Saints

Ortega, Buck TE 1 Year
*Shockey, Jeremy TE 7 Years
*Vilma, Johnathan MLB 5 Years

New York Giants

*Phillips, Kenny FS Rookie
*Feagles, Jeff P 21 Years
McDougle, Jerome DE 6 Years
Moss, Sinorice WR 3 Years

New York Jets

Brown, Kareem DT 2 Years
Franks, Bubba TE 9 Years

Oakland Raiders

Joseph, William DT 6 Years

San Francisco 49ers

*Gore, Frank RB 4 years

Seattle Seahawks

Atkins, Baraka DE 2 Years
*Jennings, Kelly CB 3 Years

St Louis Rams

Berlin, Brock QB 1 Year
*Romberg, Brett C 5 Years

Tampa Bay Bucaneers

*Buchanon, Phillip CB 7 Years

Washington Redskins


*McIntosh, Rocky OLB 3 Years
*Moss, Santana WR 8 Years
*Portis, Clinton RB 7 Years


The Dallas Cowboys, Detriot Lions, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philidelphoa Eagles, San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans do not have any Former Hurricanes on their roster.