Top 10 Canes Ever To Come Out Of Broward County

Something that is so incredibly unique about the Miami Hurricanes football team is the connection they have with their community. South Florida and UM football go hand in hand, and some of the greatest Canes ever to lace them up have come from either Dade, Broward or Palm Beach county. I’m doing a countdown of the greatest Hurricanes from each of those counties, because nothing brings a smile to our face quite like talking about our hometown Canes.

Broward County:

Just up the road north of Dade brings you to the other football mecca in the state of Florida, Broward County. With schools like St. Thomas Aquinas, Cardinal Gibbons, Chaminade-Madonna and others, the football talent flowing from Broward matches anywhere else in the country. Luckily for the Hurricanes, UM has been able to snag some of that talent. Here’s the top 10 Canes to come out of Broward.

Honorable Mention:

Tavares Gooden (St. Thomas Aquinas):

Gooden was a player at Miami if he didn’t have injuries, he’d no doubt be not just on this list, but perhaps considered to be one of the greatest linebackers in Canes history. He played all 13 games as a freshman, and was starting week one the following season. However, he suffered injuries his sophomore and junior year.

R.J. McIntosh (Cardinal Gibbons):

This agile and versatile defensive tackle really just broke out for one year in 2017, but what a year it was. Earning second-team All-ACC, McIntosh finished the season with 12.5 TFLs and a memorable fumble recovery against Virginia Tech.

Brian Blades (Piper High School):

The first of three Blades family members we’re mentioning today, this is Brian, the receiver. At Miami, Brian finished with 80 catches for 1,493 yards and 15 touchdowns.

10. Phillip Dorsett (St. Thomas Aquinas):

One of several receivers that made this list, Dorsett is really someone who is under appreciated. An injury during his junior season in 2013 really hindered the full potential that Dorsett could’ve achieved at Miami. Still, Dorsett is top-10 when it comes to career catches, yards and touchdowns at UM.

9. Tyrone Moss (Blanche Ely High School):

Setting a Broward County record with over 7,000 yards rushing in high school, the late Moss continued his hard running skills when he got to Miami. While he was plagued by injuries throughout his time at UM, Moss still ranks in the top-15 in career rushing yards, and came up huge in several games, such as at Clemson in 2005.

8. Al Blades (Plantation):

One of the most physical and vocal players ever to come through Miami, Al was the third Blades to play for the Hurricanes, and now his son currently plays for UM. Al was known both for his ability to destroy receivers over the middle, as well being able to rile the entire Canes team. In 1999 and also 2000, Blades was All-Big East.

7. Jerome McDougle (Blanche Ely High School):

An integral part of Miami’s 2001 championship squad, McDougle was one of the most physically gifted defensive ends ever to play for the Canes. #95 was a two-time All-Big East selection, and was also a finalist for the 2002 Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award.

6. Leonard Hankerson (St. Thomas Aquinas):

A receiver that I honestly always seem to forget about, but when you look at Hankerson’s stats you have to give him credit. Hankerson was a machine near the end zone while at Miami, and holds the record for single season touchdowns with 13, and ranks third in school history with 22.

5. Stacy Coley (Northeast High School):

Coley is another player who doesn't get quite the recognition he deserves, but the dude simply balled out as a Hurricane. Today, Coley ranks second in all-time receptions in a career, fifth in receiving yards and fourth for touchdowns. He might not have been apart of championship teams at Miami, but his stats speak volume.

4. Jon Beason (Chaminade-Madonna):

Most people remember Beason for his bone-crushing hit on Joel Klatt in 2005, but his career at Miami was much, much more than that. Beason was a two-year starter in the mid 2000’s under coach Larry Coker, and was known for his ferocity. His 2006 season was his best, leading the Canes with 92 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

3. Dan Morgan (J.P. Taravella High School):

While people may call Jonathan Vilma or Michael Barrow the best linebacker ever to play at Miami, Dan Morgan may in fact hold that honor. Little known fact outside of Corabl Gables, Morgan is the only player in college football history to win the Butkus Award, Nagurski Award and the Bednarik Award in the same season. He also holds the school record with 532 tackles, and was also first-team All-American, as well as unanimous selection as Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2000.

2. Bennie Blades (Piper High School):

One of the best defensive backs in school history, Bennie leads the pack of Blades that came through UM. Throughout his career at Miami, Bennie won a national championship in 1987, received the Jim Thorpe Award, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

1. Michael Irvin (St. Thomas Aquinas):

Perhaps the most famous Miami Hurricane of all, the Playmaker, hailed from Broward County. Irvin exemplifies everything about the U, and his career at Miami showed that. A freshman All-American in 1985, as well as two-time All-American in 1986 and 1987. Irvin was the leader for a Canes team that captured the 87 national championship. Irvin is tied for third in school history in receiving yards, fourth in receptions, and number one in touchdowns