Breaking: Miami H. Officially Confirmed The Addition Of Another High Rated Superstar Veteran To The Squad

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Miami Hurricanes football was a must-watch for any sports enthusiast.

The University of Miami boasts numerous NFL draft records, including the highest number of first-round picks in a single draft and the most consecutive drafts with at least one first-round selection. As of 2024, Miami has had at least one player chosen in 49 consecutive NFL drafts since 1975, totaling 358 selections overall—ranking 13th among all college football programs. The Hurricanes are recognized as one of the most prestigious and successful football programs in NCAA history, tied for fourth in all-time Associated Press National Poll Championships alongside USC and Ohio State, trailing only Alabama, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma.

The program has experienced multiple periods of dominance, yet until recently, it hadn’t posed a serious national championship threat for nearly two decades. From the 1980s to the mid-2000s, the Hurricanes clinched five national titles, producing NFL legends like Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Warren Sapp, Sean Taylor, Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, and Clinton Portis. Notably, Portis set a freshman record with five 100-yard games, finishing his first year with 838 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries.

Though Portis’s sophomore year was less stellar, he rebounded impressively in his junior year. In 2001, he played a pivotal role in Miami’s National Championship victory, rushing for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns on 220 attempts while adding 125 receiving yards. In the Rose Bowl against Nebraska, he ran for 104 yards and a touchdown.

In a recent podcast, Portis shared a surprising behind-the-scenes account of his recruitment. “During my third visit, we ended up at a strip club,” he recalled. “I had a dancer on me when someone asked, ‘Are you coming?’ It didn’t take long for me to respond. ‘YES!’” He laughed, saying he didn’t remember much after that moment.

The next morning, he found himself congratulated by coaches who informed him of his commitment. “I was hungover, and when I got on the elevator, one coach said, ‘Congratulations, we heard you committed last night.’ I was confused.” As more coaches congratulated him, he turned to his mom, still puzzled about what had happened. Ultimately, he chose Miami because of the enthusiasm from the coaching staff, but humorously admitted, “It wasn’t Miami, it was the lap dance that sealed the deal.”

Portis was inducted into the Miami Sports Hall of Fame on April 10, 2014.