The Miami Hurricanes, known as “The U,” have left an indelible mark on college football. With five national championships and an unshakeable reputation in the sport, Miami has produced not only elite NFL talent but also Heisman Trophy winners who defined a generation. Here are the Hurricanes who earned the sport’s highest individual honor.
Who Are The Heisman Trophy Winners From The Miami Hurricanes?
The Hurricanes have claimed two Heisman Trophies, both won by quarterbacks, Vinny Testaverde and Gino Torretta, during the program’s golden era in the 1980s and 1990s. Here’s what you need to know about them:
1) Vinny Testaverde: The 1986 Trailblazer
In 1986, Vinny Testaverde became Miami’s first Heisman Trophy winner, placing “The U” firmly on the national stage. The Brooklyn native’s senior season was a masterclass, featuring 2,557 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions. A consensus first-team All-American, Testaverde’s command of the Hurricanes’ offense was unmatched at the time.
Testaverde’s Heisman win was decisive. He secured 678 first-place votes, significantly more than Temple’s Paul Palmer (28) and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh (27). His performance helped Miami finish 11-1, although a Fiesta Bowl loss to Penn State prevented them from winning a national title.
Selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1987 NFL Draft, Testaverde’s college success translated to a 21-year professional career, solidifying his legacy as one of Miami’s all-time greats.
2) Gino Torretta: The 1992 Maestro
Gino Torretta added the second Heisman to Miami’s trophy case six years later. In his 1992 senior season, Torretta displayed remarkable precision, throwing for 3,060 yards with 19 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Leading Miami to an 11-0 regular season and a No. 1 ranking, Torretta’s poise under pressure earned him 310 first-place Heisman votes, ahead of San Diego State’s Marshall Faulk and Georgia’s Garrison Hearst.
Torretta’s Heisman campaign wasn’t without its challenges. A Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama cost Miami a national championship, but his brilliance was undeniable. Selected in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Torretta’s professional career was brief, but his college achievements remain a benchmark for Hurricanes quarterbacks.
Miami’s two Heisman winners reflect the program’s peak during its dynasty years. From 1983 to 1992, the Hurricanes won four national titles and produced a wealth of NFL stars, including Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, and Warren Sapp, many of whom are now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
KEEP READING: Florida Gators Heisman Trophy Winners: A Complete List and History
As Miami rebuilds under coach Mario Cristobal, the Hurricanes again produce NFL-caliber talent, with players like quarterback Cam Ward in 2024. Could Ward or a future star add a third Heisman to Miami’s collection? It’s possible. For now, Testaverde and Torretta remain the standard-bearers, their trophies a testament to “The U’s” ability to shape college football history.
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