Johnson, Phillips latest Canes to shine for Dolphins. Ranking top 10 Canes-turned-Dolphins
When Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips sacks the quarterback - something he has done 8.5 times in his rookie season - he will often peer into the crowd.
And he will inevitably see something that makes him smile.
“Every time I look in the stands I see people throwing up ‘Us’,” Phillips said of the universal U sign that Hurricanes fans and players flash.
“It’s amazing. I definitely feel like it’s...a home team thing. There’s really no feeling like going out there and feeling the support from your fans, and I never thought I would end up in Miami in my life. I’m a SoCal boy, born and raised. These last two, three years of my life have been a whirlwind, but I couldn’t be more blessed and thankful.”
With the addition of Phillips, Duke Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine this season, the Dolphins now have had 48 former Miami Hurricanes appear in at least one game for them. That’s by far the most players the Dolphins have had from any university; Ohio State is next closest with 29.
Being part of that group is meaningful to Redwine.
“Me and Duke when we signed together, we said it’s crazy being back home,” Redwine said. “We grew up down here and [fans] look at professional athletes as Gods. It feels so far fetched, to manifest that into reality.”
In rushing for 107 yards in his first Dolphins start last Sunday, Johnson was showered with a chorus of “Duke” chants, just like he heard as a Hurricane.
“It felt like my college days again,” Johnson said. “Definitely enjoyed it.”
Johnson, like many local prep football stars, dreamed about playing for the Dolphins. He attended a high school (Miami Norland) that’s less than two miles from Hard Rock Stadium.
Some of his games during his prep career were about a 15-minute drive away at Traz Powell Stadium and he stayed home to play three seasons for the Hurricanes before being selected, by Cleveland, in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
“I’m anything Miami,” Johnson said. “Heat, Marlins, Panthers, Dolphins. I’m a Miami guy. Miami through and through. Middle school was probably the last time I thought about [playing for the Dolphins]. I was a big Dolphins fan growing up, but as a kid you always want to play home, stay home.”
Johnson and Redwine were both promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster this week. Receiver Allen Hurns is the fourth Hurricanes player under contract to the Dolphins; he has spent this season on injured reserve.
So who have been the best Hurricanes to play for the Dolphins?
Using only their performance for the Dolphins as a criteria - and not their overall NFL or college body of work - here’s The Miami Herald’s top 10:
1. Defensive end Olivier Vernon (2012-15): The American High graduate produced 29 sacks and 43 tackles for loss in four seasons for the Dolphins, including 46 starts, before leaving in 2016 to sign a five-year, $85 million deal with the Giants in free agency.
2. Offensive lineman Vernon Carey (2004-2001): He played for the Dolphins longer than any other former Hurricane and started 121 games in eight seasons, giving Miami solid work at multiple positions on the offensive line.
3. Running back Miller (2012-15): He ran for 2930 yards, on 4.6 per carry, and caught 117 passes for 887 yards in four seasons, including 48 starts. Miller auditioned for the Dolphins last week but the team opted not to sign him.
4. Defensive end Daniel Stubbs (1996-98): He had 10 sacks in 22 games for the Dolphins.
5. Receiver Lamar Thomas (1996-2000): He caught 81 passes for 1171 yards (14.5 average) and 8 touchdowns in 37 games and 11 starts as a Dolphins.
6. Running back Woody Bennett (1980-88): A staple of Miami’s backfield during the early years of the Dan Marino era, he ran for 1744 yards, on 4.2 per carry, in 100 games, including 62 starts.
7. Linebacker Phillips: He already ranks in the top 10 despite not even playing a full season for the Dolphins yet. He could end No. 1 on this list if he has a great career here.
8. Running back Frank Gore (2016): The Coral Gables High product produced 722 yards, on 4.6 per carry, in 14 starts in his one season with the team.
9. Receiver Randal Hill (one game in 1991; 1995-96): He averaged an impressive 20.3 yards per reception in parts of three seasons for the Dolphins, but caught only 33 passes overall (for 669 yards).
10. Ereck Flowers: He gave the Dolphins one solid season at guard before being jettisoned to Washington.
Johnson could join this list if he produces more big rushing games to end the season.
Besides those 10 and Johnson and Redwine, here are the other Hurricanes who suited up for the Dolphins, by decade:
▪ 1960s: Mike Hudock, Ed Weisacosky, Tom Beier, Jim Cox.
▪ 1970s: George Mira, Tom Smith.
▪ 1980s: Billy Cesare, Jay Brophy, John Swain, Fred Robinson, Victor Morris, Scott Nicolas, Willie Smith, Andre Brown.
▪ 1990s: Bobby Harden, Greg Mark, Charles Henry, Cleveland Gary, Bernie Kosar, Robert Bailey, Craig Erickson, Yatil Green, Brett Perriman, Horace Copeland.
▪ 2000-2009: Twan Russell.
▪ 2010-present: Dedric Epps, Bryant McKinnie, Jason Fox, Rashawn Scott, Adrian Colbert, Trent Harris, Hurns, Danny Isidora, Clive Walford, Mark Walton, Gerald Willis.
This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 4:32 PM.
