It’s Thursday! Let’s get to your Miami Hurricanes News and Notes:

Edgerrin James, Jimmy Johnson named Semi-Finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

The pair of RB Edgerrin James and Coach Jimmy Johnson both had major roles in building The U into a National brand of College Football program. On Wednesday, both James and Johnson were named semi-finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2017 induction class.

James had a standout 3-year career at The U, ending his college career with 2960 yards rushing and 32 TDs, and nearly 3600 yards total offense. James was the 4th overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, where he went on to be one of the star players in the Colts’ offense along with QB Peyton Manning and WRs Marvin Harrison and fellow Miami alum Reggie Wayne.

James enjoyed an 11 year NFL career, and ended his playing days as the 10th all-time leading rusher with 12,246 yards. James has since been passed by LaDainian Tomlinson and fellow Miami alum Frank Gore, and sits 12th on the all-time rushing list. James is known for being one of the most complete RBs in league history. He was a weapon in the passing game, accumulating over 3300 yards in his career. And, he was the perfect weapon in the Colts’ offense.

Johnson came to The U in 1984, taking over for the legend himself: Howard Schnellenberger. Johnson had a career record of 52-9 at Miami, and led the Canes to the 1987 National Championship with an undefeated 12-0 record.

In the NFL, Johnson’s success continued. After leaving Miami, Johnson coached the Dallas Cowboys to great success. After going 1-15 in his first season in Dallas, Johnson had a 43-21 record over his final 4 years with the Cowboys. Not only that, Johnson’s Cowboy teams won back to back Superbowl titles in Superbowls XXVII and XXVIII (27 and 28 for those not well versed in Roman Numerals) following the 1992 and 1993 seasons, respectively.

After taking time off following that run with the Cowboys, Johnson returned to the sidelines to coach the Miami Dolphins from 1996-1999, earning a 36-29 record along the way.

Both James and Johnson have made the cut to be semi-finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2017 class. This is obviously a high honor, and there are many deserving individuals. Whether this year or sometime in the future, I fully expect both James and Johnson to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

For now, congratulations to both these former Canes. I look forward to the day when they are elected to the Hall of Fame.

Canes Hoops lands 5-star SG Lonnie Walker

On the heels of the best recruiting class in Canes Hoops history in 2016, Coach Larrañaga may have already outdone himself with the 2017 class.

On the last day of the early signing period, Miami secured a commitment — and letter of intent — from 5-star SG Lonnie Walker (Reading, PA).

This is a MASSIVE get for Miami. While there have been other highly rated players elect to take their talents to Coral Gables, none — not even top 30 players Dewan Huell and Bruce Brown from last year’s recruiting class — have had the caliber of Walker.

A top 20 player in this class, Walker signed with Miami over Arizona, Kentucky, Syracuse, and Villanova.

Take a second and look at that list again.

While fans of those other teams — mainly Arizona and Kentucky — derided the move, I’m here to celebrate it. Coach L went up against 4 of the biggest name brand programs in CBB — HE OUT RECRUITED ARIZONA AND KENTUCKY HEADS UP FOR A 5 STAR PLAYER — and got his man.

Want to know how Coach L and staff got this massive, epic, seismic recruiting victory? Matt Porter from the Palm Beach Post has a piece you’re probably going to want to read, then. It’s good and informative. Trust me.

I joked about this on Twitter the other day, but I’m saying this seriously now: give Coach L a lifetime contract. Yes, seriously. And if you have doubts as to why, this is what the Canes’ 2017-18 roster will look like....AND THIS ISN’T EVEN EVERYBODY ON THE TEAM WHO CAN HOOP AT AN ACC LEVEL

Yeah. That’ll work.

Congrats to Coach L and Coach Fisher — Walker’s lead recruiter — and, of course...

WELCOME TO THE U, LONNIE!!

Highlight Videos

A bit of a different section to this piece, but here are some video highlights for your consumption.

First up, cinematic highlights from Miami’s 34-14 win at Virginia last week, courtesy of Miami Hurricanes Athletics.

And, 25 years ago yesterday was Wide Right I. And there are highlights, courtesy of the ACC Digital Network.

Quick Hitters

Canes alum Antrel Rolle went on ESPN’s Highly Questionable on Tuesday. He talked about his NFL career, his time at Miami including the 2001 Canes, and his good friend Sean Taylor. This is a must watch.

Jerry Steinberg has your recap from Mark Richt’s presser ahead of the road game at NC State.

Josh Kaufman has your recap from Canes Hoops’ 94-56 win over North Florida.

The numbers are in. Canes alum Greg Olsen is the best Tight End in the National Football League. Oh yeah, and Jimmy Graham, another Miami alum, is 4th. NFLU, boyyyy!

Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel wrote about Mark Richt, Brad Kaaya, and their upcoming discussions about Kaaya’s NFL future.

Cabrera Chirinos also had a game recap from #22 Canes WBB’s 80-46 home opening win over Charlotte on Wednesday night.

Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel profiled freshman CB Malek Young, who has come on strong in the 2nd half of this season.

Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald reported on Wednesday that S Cedrick Wright has been suspended for the North Carolina State game.

Miller Degnan also wrote about former Canes LB Jermaine Grace, who is on track to graduate from Miami this semester before pursuing his dream of making the NFL.

Miller Degnan ALSO wrote about the attacking Canes defense that leads FBS in tackles for loss.

Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post profiled new starting LG Tyler Gauthier and the rest of the OLine.

Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post took a look at what Canes Hoops’ roster will look like for the 2017-18 season. Plenty to get excited about, guys.

And, lastly, if you missed yesterday’s News and Notes, the link is below:

That’s it, guys.

Seeya at the Rat!

Go Canes