Perfect Position Room: Defensive End

A big part of the rise to dominance in the 1980’s for The U, was the play on the defensive side of the ball. Miami would terrorize opponents by living in the backfield, sacking the QB, and getting many tackles for loss. The Canes have been blessed with some of the best Defensive Ends to ever step foot on a college football field.

What does a Defensive End have to have to be a great player at that position?

1. Pass Rush Ability

2. Ability to set the edge on running plays

3. Relentless in his pursuit

4. Can make game changing plays

5. A Nastiness and Edge about himself

6. Size and length

These are the guys who make Miami’s perfect position room for defensive ends.

Ted Hendricks: 6’7 220lbs Nicknamed The Mad Stork, Ted may be the greatest player to ever play at the University of Miami. Ted was a 2 time All-American at Miami, and he finished with 327 total tackles and 12 fumble recoveries. Hendricks finished 5^th in the 1968 Heisman Trophy selection. A member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Danny Stubbs: 6’4 265lbs Stubbs is your prototypical Jimmy Johnson DE. Originally a LB, Johnson moved Danny to DE his sophomore year. Stubbs holds the All-Time career (39-1/2) and single season (17) Miami sack records. Drafted in the 2^nd round by the San Francisco 49ers.

Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Calais Campbell: 6’8 300lbs Campbell is more of a 5 technique DE than the typical 4-3 player that Miami employs. His size and athleticism allow Calais to be one of the most disruptive at his position. In 2006 he recorded 10-1/2 sacks for the Canes, and ended his career with 19-1/2 sacks. Campbell was a 2^nd round pick of the Arizona Cardinals and the 2017 PFWA NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Rusty Medearis: 6’3 255lbs The best pure pass rusher in Miami history. Medearis burst onto the scene in 1990 with a 5-1/2 sack game in his 1^st start vs Texas Tech. Career was cut short with a devastating injury in 1993. Medearis finished his Miami career with 22 sacks in just over 2 seasons. Rusty is a member of the UM Sports Hall of Fame.

Kevin Patrick: 6’4 255lbs Patrick is one of the most relentless and intense players to ever put on a Miami uniform. Kevin was the 1993 Big East Defensive Player of the Year and a 1^st team All-American. He finished his Miami career with 23 sacks, and is a member of the UM Sports Hall of Fame.

Bill Hawkins: 6’6 265lbs Hawkins was a 3-year starter for Miami, and also fit the mold of Jimmy Johnson’s want at DE. Bill was a 1^st team All-American in 1988 and finished his Miami career with 22 total sacks. Bill was drafted in the 1^st round by the LA Rams, and is also a member of the UM Sports Hall of Fame.

Jerome McDougle: 6’2 264lbs Jerome was relentless coming off the edge for the Best Team in College Football history, the 2001 Canes. Started his career in JUCO, but became an immediate impact player for Miami. 1^st team All Big East in 2002, and was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award. Jerome was a 1^st round pick of the Eagles.

Greg Mark: 6’3 252lbs Mark is often overlooked as one of the greats in Miami history. Greg is 2^nd all-time in career sacks (34-1/2) and single season (15-1/2). In his Senior season Mark was a 1^st Team All-American by the AP. Greg was a 3^rd round pick by the NY Giants.

What do you think of the “Perfect Defensive End” room? Miami has a lot of great choices, but these are my guys.