Kevin Fagan - Football

Kevin Fagan's five-year career at Miami spanned from 1981 when he the University as a 200-pound linebacker/defensive end on the J.V. squad to finishing his collegiate career in 1985 as perhaps the toughest defensive players ever come out of Coral Gables Fagan, who lettered from 1983-85 and grew to approximately 260 pounds, won a national title with the team in his first season as a starter in 1983 and would go on to assist UM in getting to New Year's Day bowl games in 1984 and 1985, as well. A fourth-round pick by San Francisco in 1986, Fagan would go on to play eight seasons with the 49ers until his retirement in 1993. Fagan's 49ers would also win back-to-back World titles in Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV.
To this day, Fagan may arguably still be the toughest Hurricane ever. His school-record bench press of 560 pounds still stands, 17 years later. He also boasted a 600-pound squat while earning the program's Weight Room awards in each season. In 1981, Fagan was a 200-pound tight end from Lake Worth's John I. Leonard High School. He would go on to progress through J.V. practice season in 1981 onto the defensive scout team in 1982. By the time fall camp opened for the historic 1983 national championship season Fagan was listed as a starter on the varsity squad at right defensive end.
In his first varsity season in 1983, Fagan's toughness showed through as he led the team in downs played during a crucial stretch of 11 straight games en route to the program's first National Championship with a 31-30 victory over Nebraska in the 1984 Orange Bowl Classic. In that Nebraska game, Fagan hauled down quarterback Turner Gill twice while recording nine tackles.
His second season in 1984 saw the dominant lineman play in all 12 games while receiving double and triple blocks the entire year. Fagan would still go on to lead the team in tackles for loss and sacks in guiding the Hurricanes to the Fiesta Bowl.
Entering his senior season in 1985 Fagan was slowed by a lower back injury sustained in the Fiesta Bowl against UCLA. He was held out of spring practice and was slowed during the majority of the early part of the 1985 season with hip and lower back injuries. But, Fagan came on strong during the stretch, especially in a big 35-27 win over Florida State in Tallahassee. His efforts included a fourth-quarter sack, a forced fumble and several quarterback hurries.