When Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys back in 1989, it didn't take long for this franchise to resemble one of the best teams in the nation.
Not one of the best NFL teams, but rather one of the top collegiate programs:
The University of Miami.
Not only did Jones bring Hurricanes head coach Jimmy Johnson to Dallas, along with nearly his entire coaching staff, but the Cowboys also dipped into the deep Hurricanes' talent pool when it came to the draft.
And that wasn't exactly a bad thing, considering Miami had won the national championship in 1987, won another in 1991 and finished among the top three ranked teams for seven consecutive seasons (1986-92).
Ironically, Tom Landry's last draft in 1988 featured Miami wide receiver Michael Irvin, and when Johnson and company took over the following year, they continued the trend. But for them, familiarity became a comforting factor.
The Cowboys used their 1990 first-round pick - which turned out to be No. 1 overall - to take quarterback Steve Walsh in the 1989 supplemental draft even after selecting Troy Aikman with the first pick in the college draft. That year the Cowboys also selected linebackers Rod Carter and Randy Shannon from Miami. The next year they used a third-round pick to select Hurricanes defensive tackle Jimmie Jones
They would trade up in 1991 to grab Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland with the No. 1 pick, along with Miami teammate Mike Sullivan, an offensive lineman, in the sixth round. And in 1993, the Cowboys used their top two picks, a pair of second-rounders, on Miami standouts, receiver Kevin Williams and linebacker Darrin Smith.
That made nine Miami players selected in a six-year span, including five in the first three rounds.
But since that 1993 draft, which turned out to be Johnson's final year in Dallas, the Cowboys have not drafted another player from the University of Miami since.
That could change, though, with the 2004 NFL Draft nearly two weeks away. Miami has firmly re-established itself among the elite teams in college football, winning national titles in 2001 and just missing the repeat in 2002.
And that success has created an avalanche of former Miami players entering the NFL. Why 13 Miami players have been chosen in the first round of the draft the past three years, including five in 2002.
This year might not be much different.
The Hurricanes have six potential first-round picks, and as many as 10 players are expected to be drafted. And with needs at nearly every position, this might be the year the Cowboys revert to drafting players from Miami, an NFL trend creating Hurricane season in April.
So here's a look at some of the top pro prospects from the University of Miami this year.
Kellen Winslow Jr.
Tight End, 6-4, 251
As it stands today, there haven't been many NFL tight ends better than Kellen Winslow, the former San Diego Chargers All-Pro. So it shouldn't be a surprise his son, Kellen Jr., could be the next great tight end in this league. And it also shouldn't be a surprise he's coming from Miami, which has turned out Pro Bowl tight ends Bubba Franks and Jeremy Shockey in the past five years. But this Winslow could be the best, and maybe even better than his dad. The younger version has played just three years of college football, but seems to have fewer weaknesses. He has great hands and not only blocks well, but seems to enjoy doing so, almost as much as making the tough catch. He will create mismatch problems because he will be too fast for linebackers to handle and too big and strong for defensive backs. If he can solve some apparent maturity issues early on, he could be a great one. Winslow should be a Top 10 pick, and could get drafted as high as No. 5 by Washington.
Vince Wilfork
Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 344
Six defensive tackles last season went in the first round of the draft. While there might not be that many to go this year, Wilfork certainly will, possibly in the top 15. The Cowboys (22nd pick) wouldn't mind seeing him fall to them, but don't count on it. At 344 pounds, Wilfork has a massive frame that is tough to move. He will command a constant double-team because of his strength and quickness. In college, he was nicknamed "Baby Sapp," only for his age. He is bigger than former Miami alum Warren Sapp. Wilfork registered 14 sacks from the tackle position and could be just as disruptive in the pro game.
Vernon Carey
Guard, 6-3, 345
Has the size of an offensive tackle, but has played inside, and emerges as one of the most dominating guards to enter the draft in several years. Carey is being compared to Cowboys' eight-time Pro Bowler Larry Allen for his ability to engulf defenders at the point of attack and drive them off the ball. Carey relied on his brute strength instead of technique to dominate at the college level. If his technique improves, he could be a Pro Bowl-type guard early in his career. Carey has the size and even the footwork to possibly move out to tackle, but appears to be a natural fit at guard. Might not sneak into the first-round because of being a true guard, but if teams are in need of a guard who eventually can play tackle, which at the moment the Cowboys are, Carey would be a fitting late first-round pick.
D.J. Williams
Outside LB, 6-1, 245
Considered one of the best athletes in the draft at any position, Williams should make an immediate impact on the NFL, projected to start from Day One. He has the prototypical size for an outside linebacker and his speed (4.55-second 40-yard dash) is comparable to that of a safety. Williams usually finds the football, and is a solid technician when it comes to making tackles. He would benefit from getting drafted by a blitzing team, having deflected 10 passes and forced four fumbles.
Sean Taylor
Safety, 6-3, 220
Roy Williams was considered an exception to the NFL rule of not drafting safeties too high in the first round when he came out of the University of Oklahoma in 2002. Williams turned out to be worth the risk, earning Pro Bowl honors his second season with the Cowboys. Now some draft experts are saying Taylor will be even better than Williams. Depending on team needs, Taylor could be among the top five picks because of his ability to cover, along with his ferocious hitting style. Taylor can play either free or strong safety, and could even line up in man coverage in the slot on the nickel defense. At Miami, Taylor always seemed to be around the football, either coming up with the interception (14 career) or jarring the ball loose with a big hit.
Jonathan Vilma
Inside LB, 6-0, 228
He is not the biggest inside linebacker in the draft, and could ultimately move to the outside because of his speed and instincts. Either way, Vilma is a first-round talent and will play early somewhere. Constantly being compared to former Miami star Ray Lewis, considered to be the best middle linebacker in football, Vilma plays stronger than his size would suggest. He's tough in the middle and rarely gets run over, yet still has sideline to sideline speed, similar to Lewis. Being only 6-0, he might need to add a few pounds to his upper body if he is to play inside in the NFL. Understands the game and is a smart player, a three-time All-Academic Big East selection, along with being a two-time finalist for the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker).
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Not one of the best NFL teams, but rather one of the top collegiate programs:
The University of Miami.
Not only did Jones bring Hurricanes head coach Jimmy Johnson to Dallas, along with nearly his entire coaching staff, but the Cowboys also dipped into the deep Hurricanes' talent pool when it came to the draft.
And that wasn't exactly a bad thing, considering Miami had won the national championship in 1987, won another in 1991 and finished among the top three ranked teams for seven consecutive seasons (1986-92).
Ironically, Tom Landry's last draft in 1988 featured Miami wide receiver Michael Irvin, and when Johnson and company took over the following year, they continued the trend. But for them, familiarity became a comforting factor.
The Cowboys used their 1990 first-round pick - which turned out to be No. 1 overall - to take quarterback Steve Walsh in the 1989 supplemental draft even after selecting Troy Aikman with the first pick in the college draft. That year the Cowboys also selected linebackers Rod Carter and Randy Shannon from Miami. The next year they used a third-round pick to select Hurricanes defensive tackle Jimmie Jones
They would trade up in 1991 to grab Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland with the No. 1 pick, along with Miami teammate Mike Sullivan, an offensive lineman, in the sixth round. And in 1993, the Cowboys used their top two picks, a pair of second-rounders, on Miami standouts, receiver Kevin Williams and linebacker Darrin Smith.
That made nine Miami players selected in a six-year span, including five in the first three rounds.
But since that 1993 draft, which turned out to be Johnson's final year in Dallas, the Cowboys have not drafted another player from the University of Miami since.
That could change, though, with the 2004 NFL Draft nearly two weeks away. Miami has firmly re-established itself among the elite teams in college football, winning national titles in 2001 and just missing the repeat in 2002.
And that success has created an avalanche of former Miami players entering the NFL. Why 13 Miami players have been chosen in the first round of the draft the past three years, including five in 2002.
This year might not be much different.
The Hurricanes have six potential first-round picks, and as many as 10 players are expected to be drafted. And with needs at nearly every position, this might be the year the Cowboys revert to drafting players from Miami, an NFL trend creating Hurricane season in April.
So here's a look at some of the top pro prospects from the University of Miami this year.
Kellen Winslow Jr.
Tight End, 6-4, 251
As it stands today, there haven't been many NFL tight ends better than Kellen Winslow, the former San Diego Chargers All-Pro. So it shouldn't be a surprise his son, Kellen Jr., could be the next great tight end in this league. And it also shouldn't be a surprise he's coming from Miami, which has turned out Pro Bowl tight ends Bubba Franks and Jeremy Shockey in the past five years. But this Winslow could be the best, and maybe even better than his dad. The younger version has played just three years of college football, but seems to have fewer weaknesses. He has great hands and not only blocks well, but seems to enjoy doing so, almost as much as making the tough catch. He will create mismatch problems because he will be too fast for linebackers to handle and too big and strong for defensive backs. If he can solve some apparent maturity issues early on, he could be a great one. Winslow should be a Top 10 pick, and could get drafted as high as No. 5 by Washington.
Vince Wilfork
Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 344
Six defensive tackles last season went in the first round of the draft. While there might not be that many to go this year, Wilfork certainly will, possibly in the top 15. The Cowboys (22nd pick) wouldn't mind seeing him fall to them, but don't count on it. At 344 pounds, Wilfork has a massive frame that is tough to move. He will command a constant double-team because of his strength and quickness. In college, he was nicknamed "Baby Sapp," only for his age. He is bigger than former Miami alum Warren Sapp. Wilfork registered 14 sacks from the tackle position and could be just as disruptive in the pro game.
Vernon Carey
Guard, 6-3, 345
Has the size of an offensive tackle, but has played inside, and emerges as one of the most dominating guards to enter the draft in several years. Carey is being compared to Cowboys' eight-time Pro Bowler Larry Allen for his ability to engulf defenders at the point of attack and drive them off the ball. Carey relied on his brute strength instead of technique to dominate at the college level. If his technique improves, he could be a Pro Bowl-type guard early in his career. Carey has the size and even the footwork to possibly move out to tackle, but appears to be a natural fit at guard. Might not sneak into the first-round because of being a true guard, but if teams are in need of a guard who eventually can play tackle, which at the moment the Cowboys are, Carey would be a fitting late first-round pick.
D.J. Williams
Outside LB, 6-1, 245
Considered one of the best athletes in the draft at any position, Williams should make an immediate impact on the NFL, projected to start from Day One. He has the prototypical size for an outside linebacker and his speed (4.55-second 40-yard dash) is comparable to that of a safety. Williams usually finds the football, and is a solid technician when it comes to making tackles. He would benefit from getting drafted by a blitzing team, having deflected 10 passes and forced four fumbles.
Sean Taylor
Safety, 6-3, 220
Roy Williams was considered an exception to the NFL rule of not drafting safeties too high in the first round when he came out of the University of Oklahoma in 2002. Williams turned out to be worth the risk, earning Pro Bowl honors his second season with the Cowboys. Now some draft experts are saying Taylor will be even better than Williams. Depending on team needs, Taylor could be among the top five picks because of his ability to cover, along with his ferocious hitting style. Taylor can play either free or strong safety, and could even line up in man coverage in the slot on the nickel defense. At Miami, Taylor always seemed to be around the football, either coming up with the interception (14 career) or jarring the ball loose with a big hit.
Jonathan Vilma
Inside LB, 6-0, 228
He is not the biggest inside linebacker in the draft, and could ultimately move to the outside because of his speed and instincts. Either way, Vilma is a first-round talent and will play early somewhere. Constantly being compared to former Miami star Ray Lewis, considered to be the best middle linebacker in football, Vilma plays stronger than his size would suggest. He's tough in the middle and rarely gets run over, yet still has sideline to sideline speed, similar to Lewis. Being only 6-0, he might need to add a few pounds to his upper body if he is to play inside in the NFL. Understands the game and is a smart player, a three-time All-Academic Big East selection, along with being a two-time finalist for the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker).
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