As we continue our countdown to kickoff, we look at the players who have donned the 58 jersey for the Canes.
Corwin Francis
A native of LaPorte, TX, Francis was a 4 year player from 1991-1994 at Linebacker for the Hurricanes. In his collegiate career, Francis played in 38 games, totaling 199 tackles, 2 sacks, and 6 PBUs in that time.
Francis was a freshman on the Canes’ 1991 National Championship team. After being a role player on that team, Francis went on to make a name for himself as a standout player. In his senior year (1994), Francis was named 2nd team All-Big East after having 70 tackles, a sack, and a PBU for the Canes.
In Francis’ 4 years at UM, the Canes went 42-6, won a National Championship, and 3 Big East titles. Not bad, if you ask me.
Bruce Fleming
A native of Beaver County, PA, Bruce Fleming played LB at Miami from 1982-1985. Fleming was a special teams ace as the Long Snapper on the Canes’ 1983 National Championship team.
In 1984 and 1985, Fleming was a defensive captain from his linebacker spot for Jimmy Johnson’s Canes. Fleming earned Defensive Player of the Game honors for the 1985 Fiesta Bowl, and was a 3rd team All-American that same season.
Darrion Owens
The current player sporting the 58 jersey, LB Darrion Owens hails from Orange Park (FL). A 3-star recruit in 2014, Owens was an early enrollee who saw playing time as a freshman.
Over the course of his career, the 6’3” 240lb Owens has flashed talent, but has battled injuries that have kept him from realizing his full potential. In 2015, Owens suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2nd game of the season.
In 2016, Owens was a rotation player behind the Canes’ 3 starting Freshmen Linebackers. As the season wore on, and Owens became more comfortable with his surgically repaired knee, his play improved, which was a big boost to the Canes. Owens looks to continue his personal resurgence in 2017, which would give Miami another starting-caliber player at a position of depth and strength.
Others to wear 58: Willis Peguese and Jordan Futch.