STATISTICS: 10,875 yards, 114 touchdown passes and a college-best 163.6 career passing efficiency.
OF NOTE: Danny "Wonderful" - as many Florida fans called him - had an unusual shot-put throwing motion that produced incredible moments and impressive records. Wuerffel flip-flopped with Terry Dean as the starter during his first two seasons, then led the Gators to consecutive national championship games his final two years, culminating with the program's only title in 1996. Wuerffel claimed the Heisman Trophy as a senior and was a top contender for the award in 1995. The always-humble Wuerffel was cool under pressure and could take a hit as well as anybody. And coaches loved his character. "He's pretty much always on an even keel," senior offensive lineman Donnie Young said. "When he throws a touchdown pass - you've seen him on TV - he just puts his hands together. That's about as high as he gets."
HONORABLE MENTION: Rex Grossman, Florida (2000-2002); Charlie Ward, FSU (1989, 1991-93); Vinny Testaverde, Miami (1982, 1984-86); Chris Weinke, FSU (1997-2000); Ken Dorsey, Miami (1999-2002).
OF NOTE: Some dubbed Smith "The Natural" because of his amazing skills. He wasn't particularly big or fast, but he possessed an unmatched feel for the game. Many Florida fans swear Smith never took a direct hit in college. Now the NFL's all-time leading rusher, he opened eyes in his third game at Florida, when the Gators upset heavily favored Alabama. Informed only minutes before game time that he'd start, Smith carried 39 times - after totaling just 15 carries in two previous games - for a school-best 224 yards, topping a 57-year-old school record. Smith humbly said after the game, "I was just ready to play." Playing with a probation-riddled squad, he produced big numbers despite the fact opposing teams knew he was Florida's only great offensive weapon. As a senior, he rushed for a UF-record 1,599 yards and finished seventh in Heisman Trophy balloting.
OF NOTE: The quiet and humble Dunn is one of the most complete and popular players in FSU history. He lacked great size, but possessed unbelievable speed and was incredibly difficult to tackle. Dunn's 79-yard touchdown on a pass from Charlie Ward against the Gators in 1993 helped propel the Seminoles to their first national championship. After Dunn amassed 204 all-purpose yards in a 1996 win over Southern Mississippi, FSU coach Bobby Bowden asked, "Is there anyone better?" FSU officials apparently didn't think so. Dunn's No. 28 jersey was the program's first to be retired. "I think going for the kill is the worst thing you could do against a guy like Dunn," former Florida defensive coordinator Bob Stoops said in 1996. "You can't stop and freeze. You give him all the control when you stop your feet, and all of a sudden, he's got you where he wants you."
HONORABLE MENTION: See above.
Peter Warrick
SCHOOL: Florida State.
POSITION: Wide receiver.
HOMETOWN: Bradenton.
YEARS: 1996-99.
STATISTICS: 207 receptions for 3,517 yards, 32 TDs.
OF NOTE: The do-it-all Warrick was one the most electrifying college players of his generation. Had it not been for his part in a shopping scam during his final season, Warrick very well might have won the Heisman Trophy. He was a strong route runner, caught almost everything thrown his way and was as good an open-field runner as college football has seen. He was instrumental in leading the Seminoles to the 1999 national title. Two years earlier he had a game for the ages against Clemson, finishing with eight catches for 249 yards and with four punt returns for 123 yards (including a 90-yard TD). In the 1998 game against Florida, he even threw for a touchdown. Many remember Warrick's scandal. But most forget Warrick passed up a chance to leave early for the pros. After FSU's 46-29 victory over Virginia Tech in Warrick's final game, FSU quarterback Chris Weinke said, "He's the best player in the country. You saw what happens when he touches the football."
HONORABLE MENTION: Reidel Anthony, Florida (1994-96); Lawrence Dawsey, FSU (1987-90); E.G. Green, FSU (1994-97); Ike Hilliard, Florida (1994-96); Andre Johnson, Miami (2000-02); Santana Moss, Miami (1997-2000); Ricky Nattiel, Florida (1983-86).
Michael Irvin
SCHOOL: Miami.
POSITION: Wide receiver.
HOMETOWN: Fort Lauderdale.
YEARS: 1985-87.
STATISTICS: 143 receptions for 2,423 yards, 26 TDs.
OF NOTE: The brash and electric Irvin was the face of Miami's program during his time in Coral Gables. He had the unique combination of size and speed, which gave him an incredible advantage against defensive backs and linebackers. He also had the will to win. Irvin's 26 TD catches remain a Miami record. With Irvin as the top playmaker, the Hurricanes went 33-3 and all three defeats were against top-10 teams. The unbeaten 1986 squad lost to Penn State 14-10 in the Fiesta Bowl, but the 'Canes rebounded to win it all the following season. After beating No. 10 Notre Dame 24-0 in 1987, the talkative Irvin said, "The team everyone hates beat the team everyone loves. Not only did we beat them, we goose-egged them. Shoot, we're good."
HONORABLE MENTION: See above.
Bryant McKinnie
SCHOOL: Miami.
POSITION: Tackle.
HOMETOWN: Woodbury, N.J.
YEARS: 2000-01.
STATISTICS: 2001 Outland Trophy winner.
OF NOTE: Simply put, McKinnie set the standard for excellence for offensive linemen at Miami. A junior college transfer, he spent just two seasons in Coral Gables and during that time the Hurricanes went 23-1, won two Big East titles and claimed the 2001 national championship. The 6-foot-9, 336-pounder never allowed a sack in his college career. He anchored a line that helped Miami average 5.5 yards a carry during the championship season. In one legendary performance against Syracuse, McKinnie shut down All-America defensive end Dwight Freeney. A virtual unknown as a junior, McKinnie made a name for himself in Miami's 27-24 victory over Florida State at the Orange Bowl as FSU's Jamal Reynolds managed just one assisted tackle in the game. Reynolds was a first-team All-American, the Lombardi Award winner and a first-round NFL draft pick. "If you were drawing one up, that's the way you'd do it," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "I knew he was good, but you figure in a 60-minute ballgame somebody would get by him."
HONORABLE MENTION: Jason Odom, Florida (1992-95); Leon Searcy, Miami (1988-91); Pat Tomberlin, FSU (1985-88); Brett Williams, FSU (1999-2002); David Williams, Florida (1985-88).
Lomas Brown
SCHOOL: Florida.
POSITION: Tackle.
HOMETOWN: Miami.
YEARS: 1981-84.
STATISTICS: 34 career starts, AP All-American in 1984.
OF NOTE: Strong but also quick on his feet, Brown was among the Southeastern Conference's top interior linemen in an era when the running game was king. Behind Brown, who wore No. 75, the Florida ground attack had some of its top statistical seasons. In his senior season, the Gators rushed for 244.8 yards a game and went 9-1-1 to finish ranked No. 3 - then a school-best ranking. The 1984 line, which Brown anchored, was called "The Great Wall of Florida." Brown not only protected the blind side of freshman quarterback Kerwin Bell that year, but was responsible for creating holes for running backs Neal Anderson and John L. Williams. Brown was named the SEC's top blocker that fall as the Gators finished first in the SEC (they were stripped of the title for violating NCAA rules).
HONORABLE MENTIONS: See above.
K.C. Jones
SCHOOL: Miami.
POSITION: Center.
HOMETOWN: Midland, Texas.
YEARS: 1993-96.
STATISTICS: Started 41 games, AP All-American in 1996.
OF NOTE: Miami might not have been dominant during Jones' four years, but he was. A four-year starter, he was one of the most intense competitors and complete players to suit up for the Hurricanes. He battled through knee injuries throughout his career to post some of the program's most impressive offensive line stats. Jones' performance and effort grades from coaches were unprecedented in Miami history. He was a first-team All-Big East performer three times, and the 'Canes were Big East champions in three of his four seasons.
HONORABLE MENTION: Cal Dixon, Florida (1988-91); Kevin Long, FSU (1994-97); Jeff Mitchell, Florida (1993-96); Brett Romberg (1998, 2000-02); Clay Shiver, FSU (1992-95).
Jeff Zimmerman
SCHOOL: Florida.
POSITION: Guard.
HOMETOWN: Orlando.
YEARS PLAYED: 1983-86.
STATISTICS: Three times All-SEC.
OF NOTE: Zimmerman was one of the most consistent offensive linemen in Florida history. He was a second-team All-SEC pick as a sophomore, and a first-team selection in each of his final two seasons. The 1984 team was the first Gators squad to finish first in the conference (they vacated the title because of NCAA violations). Zimmerman was the team's top lineman in '85 when the Gators again finished first in the SEC. That season, after a win at Auburn, Florida climbed to No. 1 in the rankings for the first time. It finished fifth. Because of need, Zimmerman was moved to tackle in 1996. Still, he managed to make the Walter Camp All-America team. While Zimmerman was in Gainesville, the Gators went 33-9-3 with three top-10 rankings. Zimmerman was drafted in the third round by Dallas.
HONORABLE MENTION: Martin Bibla, Miami (1998-2001); Montrae Holland, FSU (1999-2002); Richard Mercier, Miami (1995-96, 1998-99); Jason Whitaker, FSU (1996-99); Donnie Young, Florida (1993-96).
Jamie Dukes
SCHOOL: Florida State.
POSITION: Guard.
HOMETOWN: Orlando.
YEARS: 1982-85.
STATISTICS: 48 starts.
OF NOTE: Dukes is among the great linemen in FSU history. Despite lacking great height (he was 6 feet on the nose), he never missed a start. Dukes earned All-America mention in each of his seasons, another rarity. Dukes is one of only four FSU offensive linemen to start every game as a freshman. He was a second-team AP All-American as a senior. FSU went 32-14-2 in his four seasons and played in four bowl games. Standout running back Greg Allen, FSU's second all-time leading rusher, was among those who benefited from Dukes' prowess.
HONORABLE MENTION: See above.
Jeremy Shockey
SCHOOL: Miami.
POSITION: Tight end.
HOMETOWN: Ada, Okla.
YEARS: 2000-01.
STATISTICS: 61 receptions for 815 yards, 10 TDs.
OF NOTE: Shockey made his mark on the Miami program despite spending one year in junior college and then later forgoing his senior season for the NFL. As a junior, he was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the country's top tight end. Shockey led Miami's 2001 national championship team with 40 receptions for 519 yards and seven touchdowns. He will forever be remembered for his late-game heroics against FSU in 2000. In a 27-24 Miami win at the Orange Bowl, Shockey caught the game-winning TD pass. The 6-foot-6, 248-pounder accepted a scholarship offer to Miami without visiting the campus. He originally committed to Oklahoma, but the coaching staff was fired and the scholarship offer rescinded. Shockey ended up at Northeast Oklahoma A&M Junior College. Despite a All-Americ season there, only the Hurricanes showed interest. "He's hyper, he won't shut up out there," Miami tackle Joaquin Gonzalez said. "When he catches the ball, he doesn't like to go down. He likes to deliver a blow. He doesn't get brought down by one guy. Two or three guys tackle him. That's what makes him a good player."
STATISTICS: 66 of 83 field goals, 126 of 129 PATs.
OF NOTE: A true weapon for the Seminoles, the left-footed Janikowski was twice named national kicker of the year and was twice an All-American. He not only was accurate on field goals and PATs, but boomed touchbacks on more than two-thirds of his kickoffs. During Janikowski's senior season, one pro scout called the 6-2, 255-pounder a "freak" because of his raw talent. The Poland native declared early for the 2000 NFL draft and was picked 17th overall by Oakland.
HONORABLE MENTION: Scott Bentley, FSU (1993-96); Jeff Chandler, Florida (1998-01); Judd Davis, Florida (1992-94); Carlos Huerta, Miami (1988-91); Bobby Raymond, Florida (1983-84); Derek Schmidt, FSU (1984-87); Todd Sievers, Miami (1998, 2000-02).
