There hasn’t been a bowl game victory for the Miami Hurricanes football program since 2007. Nonetheless, Miami dominated collegiate football at the start of the twenty-first century, winning 46 games between 2000 and 2003. During that time, the Hurricanes emerged victorious in three New Year’s Six bowl games, including a BCS Championship in 2001. The 2001 Hurricanes, widely regarded as one of the best college football teams ever, produced a number of players who went on to become NFL stars. Two of those players were added to the list of 77 players chosen for the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame vote on Monday.
On Monday, the College Football Hall of Fame revealed their list for the 2025 election cycle. Among the four former Hurricanes up for consideration are defender Sean Taylor and quarterback Ken Dorsey. Miami is represented by head coach Larry Coker and retired linebacker Darrin Smith in addition to Dorsey and Taylor. Smith was named the 1991 Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and Coker helped guide the Canes to an undefeated 2001 season with the aid of Dorsey and Taylor.
Even though he didn’t have the same profile as other highly sought-after players, Dorsey signed a four-year contract to play for the Miami Hurricanes in 1999. During his true freshman season, Dorsey was able to pass for 807 yards and 10 touchdowns against two interceptions while playing behind Kenny Kelly. After posting a ridiculously efficient 2,737 yards and 25 touchdowns against five interceptions, he was named the full-time starter in 2000. In the last season under head coach Butch Davis, Miami finished 11-1 and won the Sugar Bowl. For his performance, Dorsey received MVP of the bowl game.
The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot included Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey, linebacker Darrin Smith, defensive back Sean Taylor, and coach Larry Coker.
In 2001, Dorsey made great progress as Miami defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 12-0 to win the BCS Championship. The native of California won the Maxwell Award, Archie Griffin Award, and Kellen Moore Award—which is presented to the nation’s top quarterback—while amassing 2,652 yards and 23 touchdowns. In the vote for the Heisman Trophy, Dorsey came in third. When he came back in 2002, he threw for a career-high 3,369 yards and 28 touchdowns while taking home many honors. Upon his retirement, he held the record for most throwing touchdowns in Big East history.
The Miami Hurricanes of the early 2000s featured a strong defensive line led by safety Sean Taylor, even though Ken Dorsey spearheaded the offensive attack. In 2001, Taylor was a true freshman, although he was still a rotating player on defense, officially filling in for five defensive back formations. After a season with four interceptions, Taylor earned a spot on the second team of the Big East and started playing in 2002. Against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the team’s national championship game, he recorded 11 tackles and one interception.
In 2003, Taylor wrapped up his career as a player with the Miami Hurricanes. In addition to recording 77 tackles and 10 interceptions, he was named to the first team of the Big East. He won the Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Jack Tatum Trophy as a result of his amazing season. All-American Taylor received unanimous recognition.
