When you think of Miami you instantly think of their great Quarterbacks (Kelly, Kosar, and Testaverde) and Linebackers (Morgan, Lewis, Barrow, and Armstead). The 'Canes have also produced some of the best receivers (Blades, Irvin, Brown, Thomas, and Moss) in years past. Miami is even known for producing play making Defensive Lineman (Brown, Maryland, Kennedy, Sapp, Lewis). But one thing always that always seemed to be over looked at the University of Miami is their history of talented Tight Ends.

I would like to begin with the man who started it all, Glenn Dennison.

Many remember Dennison's touchdown against Nebraska in the 1984 Orange Bowl game. If you're old enough you know how important Glenn was to the UM offense in the EARLY 80's. He lead the team with 54 catches for 594 yards and 3 touchdowns. But not many fans remember Willie Smith. Smith almost single handily beat the Gator's in '84. To this day he holds the single game record with 12 receptions versus Maryland in 1984. Smith was always a UM fan favorite, and a Bernie Kosar favorite as well. The sure-handed Smith was Bernie's go to guy for the entire '84 season. Willie caught 114 passes (surpassing Dennison by 6) in his career at Miami with 1,521 yards receiving. Thus showing he was one of Vinny's top targets too. Willie was the first Miami tight end to be an All-American (1985) since Bill Miller did it in the '60 and '61 seasons (Frank McDonald was the first in 1954). But this mini-tradition doesn't end there. Rob Chudzinski was the 'Canes Tight End from '88-'90. Does that name sound familiar? Chud is now the Hurricanes Offensive Coordinator and was once a feature part of the 'Cane offense. Chud hauled in a touchdown in the 1990 Sugar Bowl game to insure the Hurricanes national title. Another tight end to make some noise at Miami was Coleman Bell. Bell was a favorite target of Gino Torretta in the '91 and '92 seasons. Coleman actually lead the team in receptions at times during the '92 season. Bell was another 'Cane tight end out of the Dennison mold. He was fast, and had great hands to boot. Bell had a short stint with the Dolphins in the NFL after his strong '92 season with the 'Canes.

The first NFL caliber tight end at UM was Bubba Franks. Franks was the tight end ever selected in the first round for the Packers. Franks was an All-American in 1999, only one of two on the 'Canes roster (Richard Mercier, OG). He caught 45 balls in his '99 campaign. In the NFL he caught 34 passes for 363 yards and 1 touchdown in 2000. Franks won't be Miami's last tight end to enter the NFL though.

Right now Jeremy Shockey is the current 'Canes tight end. Shockey has 22 catches on 291 yards for 4 TD's. Shockey is most famous for his touchdown catch on "The Drive" against FSU in 2000. Thanks to Shockey's fantastic hands, the 'Canes took a 27-24 lead against the 'Noles. Jeremy helps with a Q & A section and is Miami-Hurricanes.com's player of the month of October. Jeremy is 6-6 235lbs, and has 6 career touchdowns in 15 games. Despite being a back-up, Shockey made all BIG EAST first team, and caught 21 passes for 296 yards with three touchdowns. Jeremy is Ken Dorsey's go-to guy this season with the so called inexperienced receiving corps.