5 Greatest Defensive Players in Miami Hurricanes History

Barrow played in three national-championship games for Miami from 1989-1992, winning two, putting in rock solid work the whole time.

He didn’t reach the superstar status that his eventual replacement, Ray Lewis, would, but in college, Barrow was even stronger. He made 423 tackles over his four seasons, a total that still ranks fourth in school history.

Barrow’s best season was his last as the ‘Canes won the title and he grabbed Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors and was a consensus All-American.

4. LB Dan Morgan (1997-2000)

No one in Miami history has more tackles than Morgan, who racked up 532 for the Hurricanes from 1997 to 2000.

Morgan was nothing short of an animal in that 2000 season, too. He won the Butkus Award and Lambert Trophy as the nation’s best linebacker, the Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in college football, while also earning unanimous All-American status and Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Morgan carried the impression into the NFL, where he holds the Super Bowl record for most tackles in a game and he won a Super Bowl as an executive after his playing career.

3. DB Bennie Blades (1984-1987)

In 2025, the Associated Press released its all-time All-American teams, consisting of two teams made up of the greatest football players in the last 100 years. Two Miami safeties made the list. Blades was on the second team.

Blades was a two-time unanimous All-American in his playing days with the Hurricanes, capturing the honors in both 1986 and 1987. Miami won the national title that second year and Blades won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back.

His 19 career collegiate interceptions rank only behind the No. 2 player on this list in Miami history.

2. DB Ed Reed (1997-2001)

Face it, you knew Reed was on this list. The only question is whether he would rank No. 1 or No. 2. If you believe he deserves a spot higher, we wouldn’t disagree. If you believe he should be anywhere lower, you’re crazy.

A member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Reed is one of the greatest to ever play the game. He broke through in 1999, making second-team All-Big East, then stepped it up for first-team honors and consensus All-American honors in 2000.

When Miami won the 2001 national championship, it was Reed who led them defensively. He picked off nine passes that year, returning three for touchdowns en route to unanimous All-American honors and Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

1. DL Warren Sapp (1991-1994)

Sapp, too, was included on the AP’s all-time All-American list, named a second-teamer, behind the aforementioned Nagurski and Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh. Not shabby company.

Sapp won the Nagurski Trophy in 1994 along with the Lombardi Award. That season he racked up 84 tackles – a ridiculously high total for a defensive tackle – with 10 1/2 sacks, finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.

Somehow, he hasn’t been named a College Football Hall of Famer, but the seven-time Pro Bowler who also won Defensive Player of the Year award and a Super Bowl, sure enough makes the professional hall.

The Best of Miami Hurricanes Football

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• 5 Greatest Defensive Players in Miami Hurricanes History