Good morning, I believe that by setting the start period in 2004 you are including the tail end of our best teams.
In addition, I believe that the quality of those players created a confirmation bias in NFL evaluators which led to some Miami players to be overvalued and drafted just to flame out quickly in the league.
I will do a deeper dive when I have more time but by limiting the universe from 2010 - 2024. Miami falls down to 3rd. With Clemson 1st and FSU 2nd.
This also doesn’t take into consideration the quality of the players drafted. For example, Clemson had Watson, Lawrence, Wilkins, Etienne, et al, drafted during that time.
FSU had Winston, Cook, Ramsey, James, Akers, et al, drafted during that time.
Even teams with less draft picks have produced more impact players: Donald (Pitt), Matt Ryan (BC), Rivers (NC State) & Jackson (Louisville).
The best players Miami has produced in that time period are probably Rousseau and oft injured Jason Phillips.
For 20 plus years, the coaches here have been terrible, the players overrated, and the administration uninterested.
My point still stands: Mario is by far the best coach we have had, who has brought in the best players, and has the most support from administration.
I believe he is going to have the most successful draft class of Miami players since the early aughts. And already gave us our best season in forever.
It’s Mario or bust.