As a University of Miami Hurricanes football fan, I‘m thrilled to provide you with this extensive guide to the quarterbacks who have defined the storied history of "Quarterback U." Get ready for a deep dive into the legends of the past, analysis of the current QB competition, and a look ahead to the future at football‘s most glamorous position for The U. Let‘s get started!
A Tradition of Greatness
The Miami Hurricanes have fielded some of the most talented quarterbacks in college football history. As we‘ll see, they‘ve hoisted Heismans, won national titles, and gone on to NFL stardom. The expectations placed on Miami QBs are sky-high – and most have delivered in spades.
The 80s and 90s Dominance
The early 1980s marked the beginning of Miami‘s reputation as Quarterback U. Bernie Kosar led Miami to its first national title in 1983 as a redshirt freshman, throwing for over 2,500 yards. Vinny Testaverde took the mantle next, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1986 while throwing for over 6,000 yards in his illustrious career. He was selected #1 overall in the 1987 NFL Draft.
Steve Walsh stepped in seamlessly after Testaverde, compiling a 23-1 record as starter and leading Miami to a national championship in 1987. Walsh reflected, "Every quarterback at Miami thinks they have to be as good or better than the guy before. The standard was set so high."
Gino Torretta took that standard even higher, winning the Heisman Trophy himself in 1992 while guiding the Canes to back-to-back national titles in 1991 and 1992. Torretta won 26 straight games as Miami‘s starter.
Ken Dorsey‘s Dominance
While Miami‘s success dipped in the late 90s, Ken Dorsey brought the program back to glory in the early 2000s. He amassed a stunning 38-2 record as starter from 1999-2002, winning the national title in 2001. Dorsey also finished in the top 5 of Heisman voting three times. He reflected on the pressure he faced:
"There is a certain expectation placed on the Miami quarterback. You have to continue the tradition that was built before you."
Dorsey ranks as Miami‘s all-time leader in passing yards (9,565), touchdowns (86), and wins. He joins the other Miami QB legends in the elite pantheon of Quarterback U.
Breaking Down the Current QB Battle
While Miami hasn‘t found consistency at QB since Ken Dorsey, there is intrigue and optimism with the current competition shaping up entering 2021. Here‘s an in-depth look at the contenders vying to become the next great Miami quarterback.
D‘Eriq King – The Veteran Transfer
| Year | Games | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Interceptions | Comp. % | Rush Yards | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11 | 2,686 | 23 | 5 | 64.1% | 538 | 27 |
D‘Eriq King joined Miami in 2020 as a graduate transfer from Houston and immediately brought star power and experience to the QB room. The dual-threat King thrived under new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, excelling at running the RPO system. His standout 2020 season included over 2,600 passing yards, 500+ rushing yards and 27 total TDs.
While King suffered an ACL tear in Miami‘s bowl game, he is expected to be ready for 2021 after intense rehab. OC Lashlee is excited about King‘s progress: "He looks great moving around and throwing. I fully expect him to pick up where he left off." At his best, King‘s dynamic athleticism and playmaking gives Miami‘s offense an explosive dimension. Don‘t be surprised if he holds onto the starting job in 2021.
Tyler Van Dyke – The Local Talent
Tyler Van Dyke joins the QB battle as a 4-star local recruit out of Connecticut. With prototypical size at 6‘4", 224 lbs and touted arm strength, Van Dyke has always boasted exciting potential. However, as a freshman in 2020, Van Dyke saw very limited game action in reserve duty.
While his lack of experience is a question mark, Van Dyke has reportedly made major strides in practices and workouts. OC Lashlee noted: "Tyler‘s arm talent jumps out right away. He can make every throw. It‘s just a matter of keeping his development going." The stage is set for a breakout 2021 season if Van Dyke can translate his raw talent into live-game production.
Jake Garcia – The Hyped Freshman
Yet another highly-rated QB recruit joins the mix in early enrollee freshman Jake Garcia. The #9 ranked QB recruit in the 2021 class chose Miami after initially committing to USC. Garcia brings undeniable arm talent and athletic flair to the table.
However, Garcia‘s lack of experience makes him unlikely to win the starting role in 2021. As Coach Lashlee quipped: "Jake has all the tools you look for. But the jump from high school to college is a big one. He‘ll need some time." Ultimately, Garcia is a better bet as Miami‘s QB of the future rather than the present in 2021.
The Outlook for 2021 and Beyond
D‘Eriq King holds a strong lead to be Miami‘s starter in 2021 given his stellar 2020 campaign and Lashlee‘s proven system fit. However, Van Dyke and Garcia will continue pushing King in practice and could take over down the line if King falters or gets injured again.
Miami has recruited elite QB talent, setting up an exciting long-term future with Van Dyke and Garcia in the wings. If King leads Miami to an ACC title and playoff run in 2021, he could go down as a Hurricane legend cementing his place in Quarterback U royalty.
No matter who holds the reins at quarterback, every Miami QB feels the gravitational pull of history. The ghosts of Kosar, Testaverde, Walsh, Torretta, Dorsey and other icons haunt the sidelines, reminding the current QBs of the huge shoes they must fill. That incredible legacy makes playing quarterback for The U a dream and a burden.
Whoever emerges from this QB battle will hope their name one day deserves mention alongside the Miami greats. The stakes couldn‘t be higher for King, Van Dyke and Garcia as they fight for the right to take the throne as the next monarch of Quarterback U!
