With a football history that dates back over a century, there have been dozens, if not hundreds, of players who have established themselves in Miami (Ohio) record books.
That means choosing 10 of the program’s all-time best players isn’t an easy thing to do.
Nevertheless, here’s a look at some of top football careers at Miami:
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10. DB Ron Carpenter (1990-92)
Carpenter earned All-MAC honors three times and owns the career record for interceptions with 16. He posted seven interceptions twice, a mark that is tied for the most in school history. He is also the career leader for interception return yards. He was a standout on both the gridiron and the track.
9. QB Zac Dysert (2009-12)
One of the leading passers in the country during his career, Dysert’s 12,013 passing yards are the most by a RedHawk and fourth-most in MAC history. He owns two of the top four single-season passing records and four of the top 10 single-game marks. Dysert passed for 73 TDs and also owns the record for total offense with 12,678 yards. He bounced around in the NFL for a few years.
8. LB Jojuan Armour (1995-98)
A two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Armour ranks third in program history with 24.5 total sacks. He was a four-year starter and a captain his junior and senior campaigns. He also earned All-American honors his senior season. Armour played four years in the NFL before having a strong career in the CFL.
7. DL Brad Cousino (1972-74)
Cousino was reportedly one of the smallest nose guards in college football at the time, but that didn’t stop him from going on to have a terrific college career. He was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1973 and ’74 and was also an All-American both years. His 515 career tackles are fourth-most and he owns two of the top 10 single-season tackle marks.
6. WR Ryne Robinson (2003-06)
There were few players more electric with the ball than Robinson. As a wideout, he recorded 3,697 yards on 258 receptions during his career, both of which are school records. He returned punts, and his 1,677 punt return yards are third-most in NCAA history. Also a member of the baseball team, Robinson holds Miami’s single-season baseball records for triples (eight) and stolen bases (34).
5. RB Deland McCullough (1992-95)
McCullough led the (former) Redskins in rushing in each of his four years, earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors and All-MAC honors in three of his four seasons. He was also a third-team All-American in 1995. He ranks second in Miami’s record books with 4,368 yards and 36 rushing TDs. He is currently an RB coach at Oklahoma.
4. LB Matt Salopek (2019-24)
The most recent RedHawk on this list, Salopek redshirted his freshman season and then only got to play in three games in 2020. He earned all-league honors in 2021 before being named all-conference the next three years, including MAC DPOY in 2023. His 517 tackles are fourth-most and his 59 games played are the most in Miami history.
3. LB Curt McMillian (1989-92)
McMillian was one of the top tacklers in the nation during his college career, leading the country in tackles for loss his junior and senior campaigns. He is the all-time leading tackler for the RedHawks (575) and once registered 29 tackles in a game. He was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year twice and was an All-American in 1992.
2. QB Ben Rothlisberger (2001-03)
When his career was finished, Roethlisberger held every Miami passing record and finished with 10,829 passing yards. He still owns the single-season (4,486) and single-game (525) passing yard records, as well as the career (84) and single-season (37) passing touchdown records. Roethlisberger was a three-time All-MAC honoree, a Freshman All-American and was the league’s offensive player of the year in 2003 before enjoying a lengthy pro career with Pittsburgh where he won two Super Bowls.
1. RB Travis Prentice (1996-99)
Prentice’s 73 rushing touchdowns are more than double the next guy on the list and ranks third all-time in the FBS. He owns the top three single-season marks for rushing scores, and his 5,596 rushing yards are 1,200 more than any other Miami player, the most in MAC history, and ninth-most in FBS history. Prentice was a three-time All-MAC honoree and was named the league’s MVP in 1998.
