THE CASE FOR ED REED: One of the greatest safeties of all time, Reed was a major leader on UM's 2001 national championship team after deciding to come back for his senior year to help the Canes win a title (he redshirted in 1997 and played from '98-'01). He led UM with 9 tackles in that 37-14 Rose Bowl title win over Nebraska and had nine interceptions during the season. He holds Miami records for career interceptions (21), most career interceptions returned for touchdowns (4), most career interception return yards (389), and most season interception return yards (206 in 2001). He also had 288 total tackles in his career, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. The accolades are many: named a Consensus (AP, AFCA, FWAA, Football News, Sporting News, Walter Camp) All American in both 2000 and 2001; Consensus All BIG EAST in 2000 and 2001; 2001 Big East co-Defensive Player of the Year; named 2001 National Defensive Player of the Year by the Football News; 2001 Jim Thorpe finalist; 2001 Bronko Nagurski semi-finalist; 1999 All BIG EAST second team; 1998 Freshman All American by the Football News and Sporting News. He was drafted in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens (24th overall) and was a nine time Pro Bowl selection, 5 time All First Team Pro Bowl selection and was named the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. His 1,590 interception return yards is an NFL record, and he had nine defensive TDs in his pro career. Reed currently serves as Manny Diaz's Chief of Staff, tasked with helping turn around the Cane program.

THE CASE FOR MORGAN: Morgan was the cornerstone of a Miami defense that led the way for the reemergence of the Hurricanes football program, and was the first college player in history to capture the 3 major national awards for defensive players. He actually arrived at UM as a running back prospect and didn't switch to linebacker until just days prior to the 1997 season opener. Morgan set the Miami career record for total tackles with 532 in his 4 seasons, including 309 solo tackles and 223 assists, both UM records. He led the team in tackles 3 of his 4 seasons. In 2000, he had 90 solo and 138 total tackles, including recording 20 total tackles twice, and at least 15 six times. His best game was a 21 total, 14 solo tackle effort against Virginia Tech in 1997. In 2000, he won the Butkus Award for the nation's top linebacker, the Bednarik Award for top defensive player, and the Nagurski Award as the College Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named a consensus First Team All American, named to 10 different squads, and was the unanimous selection as Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He was a three time All Big East first team selection, and even made the 2nd team his sophomore year, though he played most of the season with a broken thumb. A first round selection (11th overall) by the Carolina Panthers in 2001 NFL draft, Morgan played seven seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2004.

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ROUND OF 32, GAME 10. DARRIN SMITH VS. RAY LEWIS: Who was the more impactful LB?

VOTING HISTORY

Smith defeated Jon Beason in Round 1 with 68.4 percent of the vote

Lewis defeated Jessie Armstead in Round 1 with 88.6 percent of the vote

THE CASE FOR SMITH: Smith has the rare distinction of holding two College Football National Championship rings (1989 and 1991) and two Super Bowl rings (Super Bowl XXVIII, XXX with the Dallas Cowboys). During his days at the U in the late '80s and early '90s, Smith was known for being one of the fastest linebackers in college football and a tenacious tackler. He, along with fellow linebackers Michael Barrow and Jesse Armstead, formed one of the greatest linebacking corps in college football history called The Bermuda Triangle. The Bermuda Triangle, playing together from 1990 to 1992, were an integral part of Hurricanes teams that had a 29-game winning streak. During his four years playing at Miami he was a two-time first team All-American as a Junior and Senior (1991 - UPI, Football News and 1992- UPI), 2nd team All-American (1991- AP), 1st team All-BIG East (1992), Big East co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1992, and a two-time Butkus Award semi-finalist. Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2nd round of the 1993 NFL Draft and played a total of 12 years in the NFL. He finished his pro career with 788 tackles, 24 sacks, and 11 INTs.

THE CASE FOR LEWIS: One of the most intimidating Hurricanes ever, Lewis' dominating field presence changed the way teams prepared to play the Canes. Lewis holds the UM individual season record for tackles by a MLB with 95, and in his three-year career 1993-95) had 388 tackles. Not many recall he was the recipient of the very last scholarship available in 1993. Lewis had two of the most prolific seasons in history to his name, having recorded 160 total tackles in 1995 and 152 in 1994. A two-time Super Bowl champion and 13-time NFL Pro Bowler, Lewis was drafted in the first round by Baltimore in 1995 and played all 17 seasons with the Ravens, compiling over 2,000 career tackles. After the 1995 season Lewis opted for the NFL and became a first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2000, was a 13-time Pro Bowl pick and won a pair of Super Bowls. He ended his pro career with 2,061 tackles, 41.5 sacks and 31 interceptions.

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