Another day closer to kickoff, another chance to talk about a Miami Hurricanes legend.

No conversation about the 67 jersey at Miami can happen without first talking about DT Russell Maryland. A lightly recruited player from Chicago’s Whitney Young HS, Maryland proved that it was a mistake for teams to have passed on him in recruiting. Maryland starred for Miami from 1987-1990, dominating at the point of attack like few who have ever played the DT position have. Maryland’s dominant play helped the Hurricanes win 2 National Championships in 1987 and 1989.

As a senior in 1990, Maryland had 96 tackles and 10.5 sacks, was a consensus All-American, named the UPI Defensive Lineman of the Year, and the first Miami Hurricane to win the Outland Trophy for the best interior lineman in College Football. That’s an elite year if ever I’ve seen one.

Following that legendary season, Maryland was selected first overall in the 1991 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Following this selection, Maryland was a stalwart for the Cowboys, helping the team to 3 Super Bowl titles (XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX) in his time in Dallas.

Photo by George Rose/Getty Images

Following his time with the Cowboys, Maryland played for the Oakland Raiders and Green bay Packers before retiring following the 2000 NFL season.

For his outstanding achievements and dominating play, Maryland was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

2 time National Champion. 3 Time Super Bowl Champion. Outland Trophy Winner. #1 overall NFL Draft pick.

You’d be hard pressed to find may players with a better resume than Russell Maryland. And think, nobody but Miami offered him a scholarship to play football back in 1987. Crazy!

Others to wear 67: Joe McGrath and Tyrone Byrd.

Current 67: Zach Dykstra. Freshman lineman with potential. Here’s my Recruit Notebook on Dykstra from National Signing Day.

Go Canes