Legends Of The Fall Return To Campus

With dozens of former Hurricanes greats behind him and hundreds of young football players in front of him, Michael Irvin delivered a simple, passionate message.

If any of those young football players aspired to be Miami Hurricanes themselves, to eventually play in the NFL and leave their mark on the game, there was no easy path for them to follow.

No filmed Instagram workout would get them there. No quick practice would do the trick.

Hard work – and lots of it – would make the difference and on this particular Saturday morning, they’d have the chance to do some of that work in front of some of Miami’s biggest names.

But Irvin didn’t merely speak to the hundreds of young campers that filled the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility. The Hall of Fame receiver joined them on the Greentree Practice Field, showed them how to run routes and offered advice to more than a few attendees of Miami’s Legends Camp.

The event, the first under new head coach Mario Cristobal, brought together Miami’s past, present and potentially its future, with current and former Hurricanes players guiding the campers through drills.

And, Cristobal said, it served as a reminder of what Miami has the potential to be again.

“I feel that we’re working to address the things that need to be addressed, right? This is month seven and there’s work to be done. That’s what excited us about coming to Miami, amongst other things and we feel that’s being done,” Cristobal said. “We feel like the gap is closing. That people, once they set foot in Coral Gables, they realize how special Coral Gables is, how special the University of Miami is.

“And when they’re around guys like this…I mean, let’s call it what it is on that field right there and…in that indoor right now. These are the best players in college football, the best players in pro football. Guys they still see on TV. Michael Irvin addressed the entire audience. It’s great to see a guy like Reggie Wayne, who is now the wide receivers coach for the [Indianapolis Colts] be here…able to mentor and encourage guys as they go through workouts. It’s just very real. It’s organic. Let’s look back at the days when Miami was doing what Miami does, look at the sideline. You had an extra 40 assistant coaches in the form of Pro Bowlers and Hall of Famers. Those are some of the things we’re encouraging and working on, to make sure that alumni bond, that brotherhood is there for the world to see and that it’s real. It’s no BS.”

Among the Hurricanes greats that were in attendance Saturday along with Irvin and Wayne were Antrel Rolle, Brett Romberg, Jon Beason, Rohan Marley, Bennie Blades, Greg Mark, Jeremy Shockey, Hurlie Brown, Martin Bibla, Lamar Thomas, Tolbert Bain, Duane Starks, Roscoe Parrish, Randal Hill and Bryant McKinnie, to name a few.

Some of the newer members of Miami’s NFL fraternity were in attendance, too, including Greg Rousseau, Jaelan Phillips, Duke Johnson, Deon Bush, and Jonathan Feliciano.

Also on hand was Hurricanes great Alonzo Highsmith, who joined the Miami staff last month as the program’s new general manager of football operations.

His return – like Cristobal’s – was one welcomed by many of the former players in attendance. They expressed hope that Highsmith’s years of experience as an NFL executive would only be a boon as Cristobal continues the work of reshaping Miami’s program.

“To see [Cristobal] come back and take the reins, but also interject the right people…Miami’s done a good job this time around, getting Alonzo here also,” Irvin said. “That’s big. I talk to Zo all the time. I called him when he got this job and I said ‘Man, it’s so, so great.’… I said to him, ‘Nobody saw those hours you put in. Nobody saw the work you put in. You’ve earned this spot. Nobody gave it to you.’ We need that throughout the building. That’s what I talked about with Coach [Cristobal], too…

“Winning championships doesn’t just happen on the practice field. It happens within the building. The whole building has to be on championship alert and that’s what we’re getting back to now. That’s what Coach has talked about. You can’t be half and half on this…It has to be from the top down and everybody’s got to work toward the same thing.”

Comments

[AeroCane]

Just in
Rashada, high 4 star qb out of California commits to the U!!
5 star wr jalen brown should be next as well as high 4 star wr Nathaniel Joseph

[roachcane77]

“Winning championships doesn’t just happen on the practice field. It happens within the building. The whole building has to be on championship alert and that’s what we’re getting back to now. That’s what Coach has talked about. You can’t be half and half on this…It has to be from the top down and everybody’s got to work toward the same thing.”

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Feeling good!

[The Word From The Herb]

Dam straight ships don't happen unless u put in the work.
U still got the non believers in High School that look for the easy path by going to Georgia, Bama, and OSU and it's instant success because that's all they've seen growing up, well the worm is slowly turning. These kids in Florida, a majority still have visions of sugar plums dancing thru their heads, playing for Saban, Day, Dabo, Smart and a few others. It'll take a few cycles of winning to change their tune but it's coming. IT looks like the out of state kids are getting what's blowing thru Coral Gables!
Mario has got the TE room locked and loaded, the QB room locked and loaded, the RB room locked and loaded, the safety room locked and loaded. We have plenty of depth on the Dee Line but we need a few more Like Taylor. The Oh line still needs depth of talent. The CB room still needs a few more pieces and lastly We Need some serious Depth of talent At LB. We got the Kicker and punter.
We ain't there yet, just about 4 or 5 players away.
I'll just be glad when I can talk shyt again and brag about how good we are. In other words, be obnoxious!

[MLALUMNI1970]

Hi everyone, Can’t wait for football season.❤️ Love my Canes! I am getting old, 74 next month. But I need my Canes to make me proud, before I die!

[Terrance Sullivan]

I Love What I Am Seeing With Our Canes let's keep the momentum going!

[AeroCane]

Per Inside the U:

‘ On July 1st, Miami could get more good news with a couple of Top 100, four-star prospects in tight end Riley Williams and defensive lineman Jaxon Howard, set to make their college announcements on CBS Sports HQ.

Williams, who hails from Portland, Oregon, but is moving to Bradenton IMG Academy for his senior season, is trending on the 247Sports Crystal Ball to Miami. He ranks as the No. 77 overall player in the country.
Williams will be announcing between Miami, Alabama, and Ohio State.

Howard hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota and is choosing between Miami, LSU, Michigan, and Minnesota. He ranks as the No. 96 overall player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite.

UM is also trending on the 247Sports Crystal Ball for Miami Edison slot receiver Nathaniel Joseph, who ranks as the No. 105 overall player in the country. There is no announcement time set for Joseph at this point

[CGNC]

Nice article - those are serious Legends of the Fall. I am looking forward to football season for the first time in awhile.

[Terrance Sullivan]

I am definitely looking forward to this season since 2018 Season! Hopefully We have a Very Good Year unlike that season! I didn’t have or expect anything the previous 3 years! But let’s Go out Here 1.Win ACC Coastal 2. Win 10 or more Games 3. Win New Years Six or Big Bowl Game 4. Finish in Top 12 at end of season come January 10th 2023

[roachcane77]

Yes. Definitely "UP" for this season!

It's now all about preparation, details, and fundamentals! Coaches gotta coach.. Players gotta work!

Let's Go CANES!🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[Sarasota 'cane]

New ACC scheduling format for 2023-26. They are going with 1 division and a 3-5-5 format. Miami’s permanent 3 rival games are FSU, Boston College, and Louisville.
FSU still has to play Miami and Clemson every year along with their state mandated game against Florida. Sucks to be them!😂

https://theacc.com/news/2022/6/28/acc-announces-football-schedule-model-for-2023-26.aspx

Go ‘canes!

[Sarasota 'cane]

For anyone who get the ACC Network they are gonna break down the new scheduling format tonight (Tuesday, 28 June) at 7pm.

Go ‘canes!

[Jcane]

I was surprised to see Louisville in our rotation over VT given the hx, but FSU and BC make sense.

[roachcane77]

Yeah, I agree, Louisville over VT?

(Although we DID play Louisville back in the Big East days too.)

VaTech just seems like more of a true "RIVALRY" game than the Cardinals.

[Terrance Sullivan]

The New 3 ACC Annual Rivals thing is the most retarded Bleep ever. It should have been For our Miami Hurricanes: Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech. I would be cool with Pitt as Third team. Louisville would be like the 7th Pick. Boston College would be the 6th Pick. North Carolina would be the 5th Pick. They smoking some bad grass up there in Greensboro this on the AD'S for this Foolishness. Miami has played FSU and VT annually since 1992 some 30 years will be 3q after this year no other team comes close in annual Rival game we didn't play Pitt Annually from 2004-2012. What a Cluster Bleep.

[Terrance Sullivan]

We never played Louisville in the Big East Days US, Virginia Tech, had left Louisville was brought in as a replacement. Louisville came into the Big East in 2004 or 2005. We had left after 2003 Football Season along with VT. BC left the Big East after 2004 Season! So thru might have played BC one year

[Terrance Sullivan]

Louisville joined the Big East Conference in 2005 Season so they didn't even play Boston College I figured that but wanted to make sure. Just Dumb ACC Scheduling.

[Old SKool]

Ray Ray Si Si. He's now committed

[JCane]

For those needing translation from Old Skool's update...no disrespect at all, OS, this is Nathaniel Joseph, 4 star WR out of Miami Edison. Sign a qb.. if you throw it, they will come. Expect another WR signing soon.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Trailernasty was a given as the anchor team. As someone who was standing at the railing in that endzone corner of the Orange Bowl for the last play on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 1984 as a kid, I'm completely fine with picking up the old Big East football team that houses the Flutie Heisman in the biannually rotation. Atlanta was the best possible other road game every two years on the schedule as a fan destination, hate to see that go, but Louisville's ok for a Kentucky state alternative I guess. Pitt got the easiest yearly draw of teams. Chokies didn't even get their primary claimed rival in North Carolina, but they play to lose so it's natural to them as irrelevance nationally is too.

[Sarasota 'cane]

We’ll still play every team on a rotation so I’m good. Our biggest rival going forward is still a real hurricane! Fingers crossed!

Go ‘canes!

[Mark from Atl]

Canes brothers and sisters
I truly hope everyone is doing well and enjoying best you can the summer

We got a real coach
We got a real AD
We got a real staff

Jesus lord
How long has it been since you have felt good about the direction of our beloved Canes football program?!?!

I’m 58 and fricking stoked!

By the way
The wife and I are purchasing a property in sw Florida
I would love to meet any of you animals that are close to rotonda west

God’s blessings to you and your family and friends
Go canes
Get some

[HillViewCane]

We have to prove we can coach now. In this environment getting the players will be easier if we can prove we can coach.

[Ohio_Cane]

Looks like 6 UM targets will commit in the next 4 days:

5-star OL Francis Mauigoa
4-star TE Riley Williams
4-star DL Jaxon Howard
4-star ATH Rob Stafford
4-star DL Darron Reed
4-star ATH Collins Acheampong

If UM got them all, they’d have the No. 4 class in the nation.

[UMike]

I think we likely pick up Williams and Howard tomorrow. Williams for sure. There is a lot of smoke around Malignaggi as well

[Ohio_Cane]

Stafford looking GREAT for us as well. Not guaranteed obviously

[86Cane]

We have to prove we can coach now. In this environment getting the players will be easier if we can prove we can coach.

Posted by: HillViewCane | June 30, 2022 at 08:29 AM

So what U are trying to say is that coaching matters? Now I get it!

[86Cane]

4-star ATH Collins Acheampong

If UM got them all, they’d have the No. 4 class in the nation.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | June 30, 2022 at 10:30 AM

All of them except Acheampong?

[Ohio_Cane]

All of them except Acheampong?

Posted by: 86Cane | June 30, 2022 at 10:52 AM
-------------------------

Are U saying we're not getting him?

[86Cane]

Ohio...heard he MAY be Michigan bound, no?

[Ohio_Cane]

They're the favorite, yes. We'll see what happens. I'm guessing we get 4 of those 6, with him and Mauigoa being the least likely.

[Ohio_Cane]

Super confident about getting Stafford today. We'll likely make him a CB. Announces around 2:00 est

[Ohio_Cane]

Stafford picks Miami!

[Sarasota 'cane]

This is cray cray if true.

https://twitter.com/wilnerhotline/status/1542559346453729281?s=20&t=si-L80J64VGYjs0Q_CITdg

[Sarasota 'cane]

The SEC is gonna poach the ACC. Paul Finebaum is talking about two super conferences. Would the Big 10 take Miami (the SEC won’t imo) or will UM swing in the wind?
Whatever happens if UM is blackballed by two super conferences then they should form a new league and be done with the NCAA. Set it up like Div II with a real pro style playoff.
I don’t need this crap today!

[Ohio_Cane]

Regardless, I'm glad Blake James isn't navigating this for us. Radakovich got us.

[Sarasota 'cane]

Miami better win the ACC Title before FSU and Clemson bolt or my FSU buddies will never let me hear the end of it!😂

[DallasTX Cane]

Big10 just claimed USC & UCLA. With TX & OU headed to SEC, it’s all but written in stone… 2 power conferences then everyone else. Seems obvious now that Riley knew what was what leaving OU for USC.

And before we get into a bunch of football debates in terms of which program “deserves” to be where… It ain’t about the football. It’s about the TV markets and the $$. Big10 now owns TV from NY/NJ thru Philly to Chicago plus LA. Mason-Dixon Line north of course. SEC basically has El Paso to the Atlantic, south of that Line.

Where will UM, FSU, and Clemson land?

If I am Clemson, I’m actually fairly nervous. Ton of success the last decade, not much history previous (yes 1 NC back in like ‘82), and no TV market. I think they’ll end up okay because they’ve got current clout.
FSU - will be fine.
UM… ??? My opinion is we’ll be good. Play in major TV market, even if fans are fickle. always draw good ratings. Past success is still relevant (fading fast perhaps but still everyone knows UM). New coach and infusion of $$ gets the hype machine in gear. Conspiracy types may even believe that insiders had an inkling of the LA schools impending movement making it imperative that the Canes get Mario and get their butts in gear in order to make the best case to SEC or Big10 in near future….

[HerbieIbis]

Well, moving to the SEC would be a better move. Once upon a time when we were floundering, they wouldn't even sniff us but now that we opened up the checkbook and our facilities are coming along, they'll want us. The bigger plus would be keeping these kids from wanting to play in the SEC, with us in it, it should be easier for us to get keep them elite Boyz home. Of course, that would be made easier by winning. An SEC schedule would be a mofo but it would make for some great games. Imagine being stuck in Bama's conference, with Auburn, A&M, LSU and either Oaklahoma or Texas.

[DallasTX Cane]

I agree Herb. Can’t see us in Big10. SEC is obvious fit. Although Yesterday I’d have said I can’t see ucla or usc in Big10 either. Da sports world is getting weird…

[VA Cane]

The recruiting is looking great....lots of hope lots of good things....BUT...no excuses....we got to win this year....no more of this BS losing games we should not lose..and sloppy lame play..I think the staff AD high are great and in place!!!! Its down to teamwork commitment hard work pride fundamentals...you know me...it is the rockbed of football always!!!!...and yes 86....you are right....coaching matters!!!!

I think VT should be our reg opponent....FSU VT ....I dont mind the Ville.....we need to stomp their ass...but BC is ok we need to stomp their ass too!!

We have not looked this good in a long time...firepower recruits coaching AD Administration......we need more OL and Linebackers....but ya dance with the gal ya brung to the dance...on we Jam!!!!

We need to have 2 really good years....get back to strong team....get back to playing big boy ball....No big Ten SEC is our neighborhood....but we got to perform first to get in!!!!!

[AeroCane]

All I got to say is AD Rad better be at the forefront so our canes don’t get left behind

[Ohio_Cane]

4-star TE Riley Williams and 4-star DL Jaxon Howard are both announcing today. Most expect Riley Williams to choose Miami, and Howard to choose LSU

[Sarasota 'cane]

If Miami ended up in a SEC south division with FSU and UF how cool would that be? It would be like gladiator school!
And all the schools that fall outside of the 2 conference power grab should sever ties with the NCAA and start a new league of their own with their own rules and championship’s. They could get the referee’s and admin’s from the Big12, PAC12, and the ACC and start over fresh. I know if UM is blackballed (I don’t think that’s gonna happen) I wouldn’t want to be in a junior league to the Big10 or the SEC.
There’s room for two separate college sanctioning bodies. And where the F is Mark Emmert in all of this? Sometimes I think his only purpose in life is to glad hand basketball school President’s at the NCAA tournament and to continuously evaluate Miami for probation. He can F right off!

Go ‘canes!

[Old Skool]

Riley Williams chose Miami. We have more Williams per capita that any other team

[JCane]

In Mauigoa's brief interview discussing his school breakdown, only one school had coaches mentioned by name, so if this means anything, I think he picks the U. Canes really decided to juice up the program just in time, as becoming relevant again will be a necessity in this evolving college sports landscape to stay viable.

[AeroCane]

JCane
Exactly
And I agree with other you on mauiga, but I won’t believe it til he declares it!

[TonyCane]

Emmett is in Tahiti, Sarasota. Getting residuals from Saban Motors and sipping a frozen YooHoo and smiling, as college football burns.

[JCane]

Interesting movement out there, with 2024 recruit, long way out still but like SEC flips, Antoine Jackson, 4 star CB out of FT. Laud, flipping from UGa to UM. Has former UM athletes as aunt and uncle.

Also, 3 star 2023 OT from Ocala, Tommy Kinsler, decommitted from UF and is rumored to be a Cane.

Liking direction of recruiting a lot, although still want to see the next week go well and bring in OTs and LBs.

[Sarasota 'cane]

I just finished Obi-Wan Kenobi and it was solid. Young Princess Leia was a tad bit annoying, but (younger) Obi-Wan was a badass. Even though we know how it ends it never gets old watching Obi-Wan whip the shiz out of a spoiled Anakin (Darth Vadar)!

My Star Wars Legends of the Fall are as follows:

1. The original OG Star Wars: A New Hope
2. The Empire Strikes Back
3. Rogue One
4. The Mandalorian
5. Obi-Wan Kenobi

May the Force be with all of you this 4th of July Holiday weekend!

[JCane]

Agreed, A/C, as Mauigoa seems to likely be either USC, Tennessee or Miami bound, likely one of the last 2, but we'll find out 3pm. A 5 star OL could help open the recruiting floodgates for us a bit further, so fingers crossed.

Happy 4th to all