In just 78 days, the Miami Hurricanes will run through the smoke at Hard Rock Stadium. As we get into the dog days of summer without much sports on TV and crippling humidity here in Miami, just keep that mental image in your mind. Now, let’s talk about the best ‘Cane to ever wear #78.

Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Super Bowl

Bryant McKinnie

Bryant McKinnie, one of the greatest college offensive tackles to ever put on shoulder pads, arrived at UM after a couple seasons in junior college. He started his junior and senior years at left tackle, putting together a remarkable UM career where he did not allow a single sack. He was named a first team All-American both seasons, managed to finish eight in Heisman voting as an offensive lineman, and was a key piece on the great college football team of all time, the 2001 national champion Miami Hurricanes.

While his NFL career didn’t quite reach the dominant heights of his college career, McKinnie had a solid NFL career after being drafted seventh overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2002. He was a workhorse, at one point starting 80 consecutive games for the Vikings. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2009 and played every down for the Baltimore Ravens during their 2012-2013 playoff run that ended in a Super Bowl victory over the 49ers.

Bryant received a well-deserved introduction to the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. His roommate in college was Jeremy Shockey; that pairing ended up doing alright in the pros.

Justin Renfrow:

Justin Renfrow played in all 13 games as a defensive tackle for Miami in 2013 after transferring from the University of Virginia, including four starts. He racked up 36 tackles, including five against his old team in a senior day victory at (as it was called at the time) Sun Life Stadium. While Renfrow isn’t the biggest name in UM history, he certainly provided snaps at DT for a Miami defense that desperately needed it. Justin has bounced around various levels of professional football since going undrafted in 2014 and is currently signed by the Buffalo Bills.

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Tyree St. Louis:

The current #78 on the ‘Canes enters 2017 as a junior and a key part of the offensive line. Last year, he started the final eight games of the season at right tackle. A four star recruit out of the IMG Academy in the Class of 2015, St. Louis was rated the ninth-best OL in Florida by ESPN and spurned Florida, USC, and Tennessee to come to Miami.