The Miami Hurricanes have won five national championships, all of which occurred between 1983 and 2001.
During that span, two quarterbacks won the Heisman Trophy.
Today, football betting on the Hurricanes’ NCAA football futures odds to win a national championship or perhaps their quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy is available at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Below, I’ll rank the best Hurricanes quarterbacks ever.
For my list of the best Hurricanes across all positions, see my list of the top Miami (FL) football players of all time.
Who Are the Best Miami Hurricanes Quarterbacks Ever?
| Rank | Player | Hurricanes Years |
| 1 | Gino Torretta | 1989-1992 |
| 2 | Ken Dorsey | 199-2002 |
| 3 | Vinny Testaverde | 1982-1986 |
| 4 | Steve Walsh | 1986-1988 |
| 5 | Bernie Kosar | 1982-1984 |
1. Gino Torretta
Torretta was at Miami from 1989 to 1992.
While he was part of two national title-winning teams, in 1989 and 1991, he was a backup quarterback in 1989; however, he led Miami to the other title, beating Nebraska 22-0 in the Orange Bowl.
Additionally, he won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Chic Harley Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, was a two-time Big East Player of the Year, and was a unanimous All-American.
Over his career, Torretta threw for 7,690 yards (fifth in program history) and 47 touchdowns (eighth).
He held the passing yards record until Ken Dorsey broke it in the early 2000s.
Torretta is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
2. Ken Dorsey
Speaking of Dorsey, he comes in at No. 2 on my list.
He was with Miami from 1999 to 2002 and holds the record for the most wins in program history, with 38 victories, including a 34-game winning streak.
Dorsey led the Hurricanes to a BCS title in 2001, beating Nebraska 37-14 in the Rose Bowl.
He won the Archie Griffin Award, Chic Harley Award, and was named Quarterback of the Year twice.
Dorsey also won the Maxwell Award, was a first-team and second-team All-American, and was a two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year.
Over his career, he threw for 9,565 yards (second) and 86 touchdowns (first).
3. Vinny Testaverde
Testaverde was the Hurricanes’ quarterback from 1982 to 1986.
While he was part of the 1983 national championship squad, he wasn’t the starting quarterback.
Still, he had an incredible career.
In 1986, Testaverde threw for 2,557 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also had four rushing touchdowns.
That season, he won several awards:
- Heisman Trophy
- Maxwell Award
- Walter Camp Award
- Davey O’Brien Award
- Sammy Baugh Trophy
- Sporting News Player of the Year
- UPI Player of the Year
- Unanimous All-American
In 1985, he was a second-team All-American.
Over his career, he threw for 6,058 yards (seventh) and 48 touchdowns (sixth).
The Hurricanes retired his No. 14.
4. Steve Walsh
Walsh was with Miami from 1986 to 1988.
He led Miami to a national title win in 1987, beating Oklahoma 20-14. Walsh was named the MVP of the game.
He was a consensus All-American and won the Sammy Baugh Trophy.
Walsh threw 48 touchdowns (tied for sixth) and holds the single-season passing touchdown record with 29. He held that record until Cam Ward broke it in 2024.
5. Bernie Kosar
Kosar joined the Hurricanes in 1982 and remained with the team until 1984.
After redshirting in 1982, he was named the starter in 1983 and led the Hurricanes to a national championship win, beating Nebraska 31-30.
Kosar was a second-team All-American and a first-team All-South Independent pick.
Over his short career, he threw for 5,971 yards (10th). In 1984, he threw for 3,642 yards, which is the second-most in a single season. He held that record until Ward broke it in 2024.
Who Was the Best Quarterback Ever for the Miami Hurricanes?
The best quarterback ever for the Miami Hurricanes is Gino Torretta.
He led the Hurricanes to a national title win and also won the Heisman Trophy.
Who Is the Winningest Quarterback in Miami Hurricanes History?
The winningest quarterback in Miami Hurricanes history is Ken Dorsey. He won 38 games, going 38-2.
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