The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated events in sports. At this stage, college football players make their first move into the professional ladder.
For many players, being picked as the No. 1 overall is the supreme honor, an announcement asserting they are the top talent of their class, ready to become the face of an NFL franchise. The University of Miami, passionately labeled “The U,” has long been in the game. It is a powerhouse in college football known for producing NFL-ready talent.
History of Miami Hurricanes’ No. 1 Overall NFL Draft Picks
Over the years, the program has produced countless players for the pros, but only a few have secured the coveted No. 1 overall spot. Let’s delve into the history of the Miami Hurricanes, who have claimed that rare distinction.
The Miami Hurricanes, going by history, have only produced two players selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft: QB Vinny Testaverde in 1987 and DT Russell Maryland in 1991.
Vinny Testaverde (1987)
Testaverde stepped into the University of Miami in 1982, a move into a program that had already gained national recognition. Over his college career, he evolved into one of the most celebrated QBs in Hurricanes history.
His senior year in 1986 was nothing short of exceptional: Testaverde threw for 2,557 yards and 26 touchdowns, guiding Miami to an undefeated 11-0 regular season and a spot in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl.
Though the Hurricanes fell to Penn State in that national championship game, his exceptional impact can’t be denied. His performance secured him the Heisman Trophy, making him the top player in college football that year.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Testaverde their No. 1 overall selection when the 1987 NFL draft arrived, a moment that showcases Miami’s growing reputation as a QB manufacturing factory. The announcement was met with high expectations, with the weight of transforming the struggling franchise on his shoulders.
His early NFL years were rocky, marked by turnovers and inconsistency, but Testaverde’s resilience shone through. He forged a remarkable 21-year career, playing for seven teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Jets. He earned two Pro Bowl nods and retired with over 46,000 passing yards along the way.
Russell Maryland (1991)
Just four years after Testaverde’s pick, Maryland wrote his name into Miami’s draft book. A formidable defensive tackle, he helmed the Hurricanes’ defensive line from 1987 to 1990, a period marked by exceptional performance and dominance for the program.
He played a pivotal role in Miami’s 1989 national championship triumph and completed his college career with an exceptional 1990 season. He recorded 96 tackles and 10.5 sacks, bagging All-American honors and the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman.
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Maryland caught the attention of NFL scouts, and in the 1991 draft, the Dallas Cowboys, under the tutelage of coach Jimmy Johnson, a former coach of Russell at Miami, picked him as the No. 1 overall selection. His selection was notable as he was the first defensive player taken first overall since 1986.
In Dallas, Maryland became a linchpin of the Cowboys’ defensive front during their 1990s dynasty. He contributed to three Super Bowl championships (XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX) and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1993.
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