The Five Scariest Miami Hurricanes in FB History

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 31, 2015; Durham, NC, USA; The Miami Hurricanes celebrate with their fans after beating the Duke Blue Devils 30-27 at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

When the Miami Hurricanes are among the Nation’s best teams they often strike fear in their opponents. Thirty-two Miami Hurricanes have been named as All-Americans since Defensive Tackle Al Carapella first earned All-America Status in 1950.

Carapella helped lead the ‘Canes to a 9-0-1 record and an Orange Bowl berth after the 1950 season.

Many skills and attributes can strike fear in an opponent. Speed, a hard-hitting defensive player, a running back who can run through tackles or an offensive lineman’s ability to keep his opponent from breaking through the line of scrimmage are just some skills that would strike fear in the opposition.

Miami has had players with these attributes and more.

Aug 6, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders former linebacker Ted Hendricks arrives at the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ted Hendricks DE/LB, The Mad Stork (1966-68)

Hendricks is one of four former Hurricanes in the College Football Hall of Fame, one of Six UM alums in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was inducted into the University of Miami Hall of Fame in 1980.

Per Hendricks personal website, he was given his nickname when he played at the U. The explanation about the origin is:” His 6’7″ frame and wide-ranging arms led his teammates at the University of Miami to add the moniker “the Mad Stork” to his identity”

Hendricks still holds numbers school records. With the talent the Canes have had since he left, that’s impressive. Hurricane Sports mentions that Hendricks Records that still stand are:”the career all-time UM mark for tackles by a defensive end (227) and fumble recoveries (12)”

He was one of the most NFL’s imposing players during his career. He stood out because of his height and length. His ability to get the Quarterback and cause turnovers that made offensive coordinators leery of where Hendricks was at all times. He was also a key player on special teams.

Hendricks finished his NFL career with 25 blocked kicks and 16 fumbles recoveries. Sacks did not become an official stat until 1982, Hendricks’ 14th season in the league. He finished the strike-shortened season. season with seven sacks in nine games.

Bennie Blades DB (1985-87)

Blades was the first Miami defensive back to be named an All-American twice and two years in a row. Jimmy Johnson said of Blades “he hit harder than any linebacker I’ve ever seen”

Blades won the Jim Thorpe Award in 1987. He finished his UM career as the school’s all-time leader in interceptions (19), interception return yards (305), tackles by a safety (286) and unassisted tackles by a safety (155).

Blades was one of the original players that brought the swag to the U under Johnson. He was the third overall pick of the 1988 draft by the Detroit Lions. Blades play ten seasons in the NFL with the Lions and Seahawks.

Barrow played on two National Championship teams and in three National Championship games in his four seasons at the U. He was an All-American in 1992 when the Hurricanes completed their fourth undefeated regular season in seven years.He was part of arguably the greatest linebacking core in school history with Jessie Armstead and Darrin Smith.

Barrow finished second in the Butkus Award to Marvin Jones of Florida State in 1992 and was seventh in the Heisman Trophy balloting in the same season. Miami Quarterback Gino Torretta became the second Miami player win the Heisman that season.

Barrow had 136 tackles with 80 solos as a Senior in 1992. He finished his career at Miami as the third-leading tackler in school history.

Reed might be the best defensive player in Miami history. He could do everything from his safety spot. He was the leader of the defense, was great at playing the pass and the run and made big plays on special teams.

Reed had 21 interceptions for 389 yards and four touchdowns during this career. The Int’s and return yardage are both Miami records.

Reed was a part of one of the greatest eras of UM football. From 2000-2002, Miami went 35-2. Their only losses were a 34-29 defeat at Washington for their only loss of the 2000 season and a questionable 31-24 loss to Ohio State in Fiesta Bowl in which a second consecutive National Championship was taken from them.

No player in the history of football has put as much fear in the minds of Special Team coordinators like Hester did. Before he became a legend with the Chicago Bears, Hester made an impact at the U.

In just three seasons with the Hurricanes, Hester had six return touchdowns, averaged 15.6 yards per punt return and 25.5 yards per kickoff return in his career.

He scintillating 78-yard punt return against Louisville in 2004 helped the Hurricanes stage a dramatic comeback. Miami trailed 24-7 at the half before outscoring the Cardinals 34-14 after halftime. He also had a 100-yard kickoff return that was called back.

Creating a list of the scariest Miami players could almost be an endless exercise. These five made opponents game plan around them. They were impact players that at any moment could change the course of the game and/or make the men across the line of scrimmage think about where they are instead of concentrating on what their job was.