The University of Miami has been dubbed Quarterback U for the high number of prolific passers that the school has turned out over the years. These passers have been the backbone of a school that has played for eight National Championships (winning five) since 1983. The 10 greatest of these quarterbacks are rated below based on their contributions to the school, personal achievements, and professional career.
Jim Kelly
If not for the Buffalo Bills losing four Super Bowls during his era, Kelly would be regarded as one of the NFL’s all-time greats. This NFL Hall of Famer began his professional career in the USFL where he was the MVP in 1984 after throwing for a league record 5,219 yards and 44 TD passes. In his tenure at the University of Miami, Kelly passed for 5,233 yards and 32 touchdowns, earning him a place in the Hurricane’s Hall of Fame. In NFL play, Kelly added another 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Vinny Testaverde
At the ripe old age of 44, Vinny Testaverde is still playing (and starting) in the NFL, a tribute to the durability of this former Hurricane great. His personal achievements at Miami are the stuff legends are made of, as he became the only collegiate player to win the Heisman, Maxwell, Walter Camp and Dave O’Brien awards in the same season (1986). Only a dismal performance in that year’s Fiesta Bowl loss to Penn State dampened his exceptional season. In the NFL, the much traveled Testaverde has thrown for over.46,000 yards and 275 touchdowns.
Bernie Kosar
Had he not opted out of his last two years of collegiate eligibility, Kosar would probably be the owner of a good deal of Miami’s all-time passing records. As it is, he still had a spectacular tenure at the school. In the 1983 season, Kosar led Miami to an 11-1 record and a National Championship, helping the Hurricanes defeated an equally impressive Nebraska squad in the Orange Bowl. In that game he tossed for 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kosar followed that season with an equally impressive one in 1984, when he finished 4th in the Heisman Trophy balloting after throwing for 3,642 yards and 25 touchdowns. Picked up by the Cleveland Browns in the 1985 supplemental draft, Kosar went on to enjoy a good career in the NFL, passing for over 23,000 yards in the regular season, and over 1,900 yards in the post season.
Gino Torretta
The winner of the 1992 Heisman Trophy, Torretta threw for 7,690 yards in his career with the Hurricanes. His totals included 3,095 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior when he led Miami to a National Championship, and for 3,060 yards as a senior. Along with winning the Heisman, Torretta took home the Maxwell Award (best overall player), and the Davey O’Brien Award (top quarterback) in 1992. In all, Torretta finished his stay in Miami with a 26-1 record as a starter. Drafted in the 7th round of the 1993 Draft, he went on to enjoy a brief stay in the NFL.
Ken Dorsey
Though his superb collegiate career has not translated into a great NFL career, there is no denying Dorsey’s place in Hurricane history. Dorsey was an incredible 38-1 as a starter for the Hurricanes and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in both 2001 and 2002. A winner of the Maxwell Award in 2001, he is the holder of multiple Hurricane passing records, chief among them are passing yards (9,565), passing touchdowns (86), and completions (668). Dorsey crowned his stay at the University of Miami by leading the school to the 2001 National Championship, earning a co-MVP in the Rose Bowl along the way.
Steve Walsh
A prolific passer, Steve Walsh was 23-1 as a starting quarterback for the Hurricanes, leading them to the 1987 National Championship, and finishing 10th in the nation in passing. The following year Walsh made First Team All-American and finished 4th in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Picked up by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1989 Supplemental Draft, Steve enjoyed an 11-year pro career in the NFL, where he passed for over 7,800 yards and 40 touchdowns.
Craig Erickson
Part of Miami’s National Championship team in 1989, Erickson went on to win the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award his senior season. A 4th round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Erickson enjoyed moderate success in the NFL where he played for seven seasons, throwing for over 7,000 yards and 41 touchdowns.
George Mira
A two time All-American in the early 1960’s, Mira lead Miami to back-to-back Bowl appearances in 1961 and 1962. As a junior, Mira finished 5th in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy, setting multiple school records along the way. Mira threw for 4,633 yards and 28 touchdowns for the Hurricanes. He later went on to enjoy a long professional career playing in the NFL, CFL and WFL from 1964-1974, winning a WFL championship with the Birmingham Americans in 1974.
Frank Curci
An All-American quarterback for the Hurricanes in 1959, Curci had the distinction of later coaching the school from 1971-1972. As a senior, Curci set a school record with 1,328 total yards.
Frank Costa
Though he never achieved the personal recognition of other Miami Hurricane quarterbacks, Costa was never the less 19-4 as a starter during his tenure with the team from 1993-94. Costa led the team to the two Bowl games in the process.
