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

[JCane]

For those who don't know why Mauigoa would be such a big deal, he's a man-child #1 OT, overall top 10 player, and is 6'5" and 330 lbs. Wonder if he has room in his frame to, ahem, fill out?!

[JCane]

The U!!

[HerbieIbis]

Yes, hell yes. That little fat bastard has finally starting to roll over, the worm that is.
Mario, u were a little slow to begin with the recruiting but dang dog if u ain't starting earn all that cabbage they put on your plate.
A 5 star oh lineman, say that ain't slow. Saint Francis welcome to Da U.
Let's get that Dee shored side of recruiting and next thing u know we in da blood blood territory, top 5.

[Sarasota 'cane]

https://www.si.com/college/arkansas/hogs-football/college-football-realignment-ncaa-sports

This is the nightmare scenario of my dreams!!

[HerbieIbis]

Never happen, Sarasota, at least not now. We got Mario just in time or we would be left out.
All we got to do is not lose to teams that shouldn't be on the field with us, not get gutted by big time teams we do play, like A&M coming up, get to 9 to 10 wins the next couple of years and by year 3 in the top 4.

[TonyCane]

Never happen, Sarasota, at least not now. We got Mario just in time or we would be left out.
All we got to do is not lose to teams that shouldn't be on the field with us, not get gutted by big time teams we do play, like A&M coming up, get to 9 to 10 wins the next couple of years and by year 3 in the top 4.

Posted by: HerbieIbis | July 04, 2022 at 05:25 PM

Totally agreed. Had we stayed pat and done the usual incremental investing in the program, we would be left aside.

[roachcane77]

WooHoo on Mauigoa! Our new COACHING pedigree is definitely attracting smart players!

Could you imagine an ENTIRE 5-STAR OL?!!!

(Well, I guess you only have to look as far as Tuscaloosa to see an entire 5* OL.😬)

Let's Go CANES!!!🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[nemo2020]

Can Canespacers FINALLY agree that STARS matter?

I hope so.

[DallasTX Cane]

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | July 04, 2022 at 04:27 PM

Freddy Krueger style nightmare ‘Sota!

I can’t see this scenario though. Writer’s got the crack pipe up his arse.

[Old Skool]

Hank Goldberg RIP

[Ohio_Cane]

Spark College Football
@SparkCFB
·
1h
There is a growing belief that some combination of Clemson, Miami, and FSU could join the SEC, per a report by CBS's Dennis Dodd.

[nemo2020]

MIAMI in the SEC. No so fast.

MIAMI would be only the second PRIVATE university in the SEC (along with Vandy) and the second smallest (after Vandy). Moreover, admission standards for MIAMI (and Vandy) are MUCH higher than other schools in the SEC.

Moreover, I am not so sure that the SEC would want MIAMI rather than UNC. Football attendance could be an issue. Also, MIAMI doesn't compete (or barely competes) in a number of men's and women's sports such as softball, swimming, track and field, etc.

Nevertheless, if the money is right - and if FSU and Clemson leave the ACC for the SEC - then given the opportunity it is likely that the U would join the SEC too, because the ACC would cease to be a viable conference for a school that wants to compete at the highest level in college football.

P.S. If the SEC poaches a few of the biggest and best public schools in the ACC, you have to wonder what happens to the ACC's private schools?

[UMike]

I think Miami will be on the move sooner rather than later. I read where the SEC and Big10 renew their TV contracts in like a year or 2 and schools will get double or triple what ACC teams get now. The ACC is locked in the tv contract until 2034.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Lol Nobody leaving the ACC anytime soon. Relax! We can revisit this in 5 Years! Go Canes!

[Terrance M Sullivan]

ACC TV Contracts until 2036.

[UMike]

Tsully...I disagree. Schools are going to want to get ahead of this. IMO of course

[Ohio_Cane]

TSully, IMO we're gone by 2025

[Terrance Sullivan]

We Will See!

[nemo2020]

TSully, IMO we're gone by 2025
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 05, 2022 at 03:17 PM

The whole ACC (as we now know it) may be gone by 2025 - replaced by a super conference consisting of the remnants of the Big 12, what remains of the ACC after the SEC grabs Clemson and FSU, and (maybe also) what remains in the PAC 12 after the final power grab by the Big 10. Perhaps, it could be named the National Athletic Conference (NAC) or the TransAmerica Conference (TAC).

Incidentally, given the number of teams in an enlarged "BIG 10", perhaps the conference could change it name to the "BIG 1".

[VA Cane]

While we can hope for an invite, 18 years (going back to Fiasco in The Fiesta....which I have come to believe the NCAA saw to fruition) of mediocracy is the price we are paying for being excluded in these conversations....so far. I do see a sense of urgency in Marios plans...hes not a fool, and I think they have done a nice job since he arrived.
The recruiting news has really picked up...pretty good since we have not taken a snap with this coach,staff,or team. Its on....we got to get bigger faster stronger....quickly! its Hit Hate and Hurt time. Surely if we live up to our potential one of the 2 big super conferences will want UM....look at some of the people in these conferences:
Vandy KY TN SC BC Syracuse Duke GT Ville MD PSU Rutgers Indiana Northwestern, Nebraska Illinois....UCLA is terrible USC as bad as we are!

These 17 teams are not regular strong teams....and we should never lose to them...but we have....poor coaching poor recruiting poor attitudes lazy attitudes no fundamentals entitlement attitudes...it all adds up.

We seem to be on the road to change instead of a road to nowhere...finally....but we got to be strong work hard execute fundamentals...and WIN!!!!!

[VA Cane]

PSU should not even have a team...they should have gotten the Death Penalty!!!....what a joke...allowing that kind of perversity to go on, turn your head the other way....and get a slow pitch softball lob pitch punishment....yet we are raked across the coals for everything we do....and the big schools are never held accountable....
Keep it up Mario....we can get there!

[HerbieIbis]

Hope the ACC does dissolve, it's a suck azz football conference anyway and by playing in it all these years it has made us nothing but mired in mediocracy, just like 3/4 of the teams that play in it. Aside from Clemson's run the last 6 years, most of the teams have been yo yo's.

[JCane]

Recruiting next big potential domino is Jayden Wayne announcement 7/9 at Noon. Only 1 of 6 listed schools is in FL, the U, and he would be a huge pickup, along with another guy who transferred to IMG Academy. Hope IMG becomes a regular UM recruiting hotbed. I like our chances, but would like to see it happen before assuming.

As to the next conference step, too many unknowns right now. Doesn't help to be a smaller private school in a TV market already occupied by FU though.

[UMike]

Wayne is crystal balled to Miami. We should end up with 2-4 five star guys in this class.

[TonyCane]

I think we will have announced our intent to depart for the SEC before the regular season is complete (if not far sooner), accompanied by Clemson. Presumably Florida State and North Carolina follow. Supposedly this has been under discussion prior to the USC announcement.

Not worried here.

[Ohio_Cane]

Agreed, Tony

[VA Cane]

I like a 5 star OL.....Tony who was the last one? I know you know!!!!

While conference alignment is in our minds, we need to focus on here and now! Bottom line: WIN! if we do the rest will take care of itself!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-transfers-how-the-top-five-players-will-impact-their-new-teams-in-2022-23-season/

" 2. Nijel Pack (Miami)

Nijel Pack was clearly the best shooter in the transfer portal. He was also arguably the best shooter in the country last season. Pack scored an absurd 1.469 points per spot-up possession, best by any major-conference player last year (min. 50 possessions) and best by a Big 12 player since Synergy started tracking it in 2005-06.
...

Pack has terrific recognition of opposing teams' defenses, which helps him identify not just when to move off-ball but how to move off-ball and space the floor with a purpose. Let's take a look at three examples...

Pack can play point guard and shooting guard, but is best suited for the latter. While he's not particularly explosive off the bounce, returning star guard Isaiah Wong is. The moment defenses help on Wong, Pack will find open space on the perimeter and make opponents pay."

Wong's shooting form is good, but unlike Pack he'll often get his shooting wrist under the ball behind his forarm instead of elevating up perpendicular to the court, which flattens the shot out and reduces the size of the basket in relation to how it appears to the ball as the shot approaches the rim. Hopefully some of Pack's more pure shooting form release rubs off on Wong and some of Wong's one on one moves do the same to Pack's game.

[86Cane]

Can Canespacers FINALLY agree that STARS matter?

I hope so.

Posted by: nemo2020 | July 04, 2022 at 08:39 PM

Yes, that AND coaching!

[Ohio_Cane]

5-star WR Jalen Brown is down to Florida State, Michigan, Texas A&M, LSU, and Miami. He has set his commitment date for Friday, July 8

[Ohio_Cane]

I believe we're getting Brown, just FYI

[VA Cane]

Yes coaching does matter 86....and my fav....sound like a record with a skip in it...Fudamentals

Hope we get Brown!!!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

5-star EDGE Jayden Wayne announcing this Saturday at 12:00

I believe we're getting Wayne, too. Which would be a 15 star week for the Canes lol. That's crazy

[Ohio_Cane]

4-star ATH Collins Acheampong announcing this Friday at 3:00pm. LSU, Mich, Miami, UCLA.

Don't believe we're getting this one. Michigan

[UMike]

Ohio, I agree we get Wayne and Brown. Both crystal balled to Miami. Seems like we are opening up a pipeline with IMG. Or at least getting our feet in the door.

[DallasTX Cane]

When it comes to conference realignment, remember that there’s much more afoot than just football. TV contracts are ALL. USC & UCLA stalled the Pac12 tv negotiations. Now it’s obvious why. If the ACC cannot renegotiate for a decade, it’s done. Schools better be thinking two moves ahead and be willing to sacrifice any tradition, value, etc or else be left behind.

2 super conferences + all the rest. That’s what I see. It’s basically already done. The only question is are there a few last-minute survivors the 2 will pluck from the icy waters? I think so. But the major tv markets are aligned and spoken for - northeast, Midwest & SoCa for Big10; southeast & Texas for SEC.

FYI - Big12 in talks with multiple Pac12 “leftovers” now. Maybe a play for a “Big 3”?? Hard to see it as anything more than the best of the rest and hard to see the ACC being able to make power move.

[Ohio_Cane]

There's apparently things happening with 5-star WR Jalen Brown and his mother. Supposedly she lives in Mississippi and is pushing for LSU so she can be near him for his college career and has missed a lot of his childhood football with him living in Miami.

Looks like it's real close and we are even right now.

[UMike]

At least there are a lot of good WR this cycle for us. But would surely like to get Brown.

[HerbieIbis]

Hell if that's the case, why wouldn't she want him to go to Ole Miss.
Saw some CB's for LSU.
Just when everything was rolling a fam. Member has to throw a wrench into it.
What was the kids name a few years back, a RB that went against his mom and went somewhere else on signing day?

[Ohio_Cane]

Alex Collins lmao

What a signing day that was with her grabbing the his letter of intent and leaving with it

[UMike]

Crystal ball is now 75% LSU. That changed quickly.

[Ohio_Cane]

On Collins Acheampong:

Michigan 247 update:

Mod said that it’s a UM/Michigan battle.

“One source described this recruitment as a 50/50 battle between the two programs, but I’m still hearing tons of optimism coming out of Coral Gables and the Hurricanes really love their standing”

The writer lowered his confidence on his crystal ball.

[Old Skool]

James Caan RIP

"We're going to the mattresses"

"I want somebody good -- and I mean very good -- to plant that gun"

"Did you go to college to get stupid?. You are really stupid"

[86Cane]

Ohio, I agree we get Wayne and Brown. Both crystal balled to Miami. Seems like we are opening up a pipeline with IMG. Or at least getting our feet in the door.

Posted by: UMike | July 06, 2022 at 04:59 PM

Well, well, well...looky there, a UMike sighting!

[HerbieIbis]

Kids mom jumps in all of sudden, it seems the way this is going down they she's getting some NIL.

[UMike]

Herbie I agree...something fishy here. If it was about location there are other schools closer.

[JCane]

Other rumors out there about FU not wanting UM in SEC, and may have Clemson, FSU, UNC and UVa in play instead. Rumors about the program being excluded could move folks to lean more SEC way unfortunately. Hope it's all bullcrap, but FU wanting control over south FL and stopping UM from being the flagship program of the state has been my primary concern. Hate those fu..ers more than ever.

[HerbieIbis]

After we roll thru the ACC, SEC will want us BUT if revert back to our same old ways, I can see us getting left out. It's up to us to do our job on the field. Can't get stampeded by A&M this fall.

[DallasTX Cane]

Damn. James Caan. The hero’s of my youth keep leaving us.

Brian’s Song
The Godfather
Thief
Rollerball
Misery
Elf

And many others. RIP

[nemo2020]

100

sorry, but I couldn't resist.