81 Days until Miami Hurricanes Football: Top Canes to Wear #81

Famous Hurricanes to Wear #81 in Miami’s Earlier Days

Ray Bellamy

As the first African-American to sign a football scholarship at the University of Miami, Ray Bellamy is the most culturally significant player to dawn the number 81 in a Miami uniform. Bellamy also became the first African-American student body president at Miami, and was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Bellamy had several notable games as a ‘Cane including a 121 yard receiving game on 8 catches against Auburn in 1968.

- Hurricane Sports

Jim Cox

Another Miami Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Cox was a fixture in Miami athletics from 1965-67. Cox was the starting quarterback for Miami’s football team, a member of the track team, and a team leader on the baseball team. Cox led the team in batting average while at Miami, and left the football team as the school record holder in receiving yards, touchdown catches, and receptions. Cox was drafted in the second round of the 1968 draft and played 13 games in the league for the Miami Dolphins.

- Hurricane Sports

Championship Era

Wesley Carroll

Ranking top 10 on Miami’s all time receptions and receiving yards list, Wesley Carroll was a top target for the ‘Canes in between 1989-90. Carroll busted onto the scene for Miami with a 770 yard receiving season in 1989 on 52 receptions, and took his game to another level in 1990 with a 952 yard receiving season on 61 receptions. Carroll also was a force on special teams for the Hurricanes, with a 381 yard year on special teams in 1989. Carroll went on to have a three year NFL career after being selected in the second round of the draft in 1991.

Kellen Winslow II

Following in the footsteps of 2001 National Champion Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow had big shoes to fill after becoming the starter in 2002. Not only did Winslow live up to expectations, but the 6’5” tight end became an All-American and John Mackey Award finalist. Winslow put forth one of the most successful seasons of any tight end in Miami history by reeling in 57 passes for 726 yards and eight touchdowns. Winslow became a top 10 pick in the NFL draft and was selected behind only one pass catcher, Larry Fitzgerald. Winslow was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Recent Years

Calais Campbell

Calais Campbell has proved himself to be one of the premier defensive lineman in the NFL, and inked a 4 year $60 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars this past offseason. Campbell has totaled 56 and a half career sacks during his time with the Arizona Cardinals, and has come down with over 500 tackles. Campbell was selected in the second round of the 2008 draft, and entered the league after a dominant career at the University of Miami. Campbell had a total of 19 and a half sacks while at Miami, and reeled in 10 and a half sacks as a sophomore in 2006. Campbell anchored Miami’s line the next season, and solidified himself as one of Miami’s best defensive lineman of the decade.

Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Current Number 81: Darrell Langham -- Redshirt junior and Class of 2014 three star recruit who continued to develop this Spring, and will look for his first career catch as a ‘Cane this upcoming season.