Rakontur set the bar with thir recent documentary on “The U” and now a fellow Cane is getting in the game. Former running back Najeh Davenport is behind this new piece, “A Tale Of Five” -regarding the top flight backs at UM between 1999 and 2004. Aside from Davenport, this era also included Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee and Frank Gore.
No clue where this documentary is at production-wise, but a fellow Cane sent me the trailer link on YouTube and I thought it was worth passing along. Check it out.
A great era for Miami backs. EJ started it in the rebuilding era of the late 90s, getting on board when the Canes were on probation and doing all in his power to bring the Canes back. After leaving before the 1999 season, it was Davenport who was expected to carry the Canes, but the sophomore blew out his knee in the season opener against Ohio State. James Jackson became the go-to, but was eventually supplanted by the talented Portis.
By 2000, it was the Portis show and teamed with a healthy Davenport, the Canes rolled to an 11-1 season and Sugar Bowl win over Florida.
In 2001, it got downright embarassing with Portis the starter, Davenport getting his reps at fullback, the freshman Gore in mop up duty and McGahee getting carries at running back and later at fullback when Davenport was injured for the title game. Four future NFLers in one backfield in one season. Downright scary.
McGahee came damn close to the 2002 Heisman and in 2003 and 2004, it was the Gore show, though the Coral Gables product battled his fair share of knee injuries, as well.
Depth is finally returning at running back for UM. Four more are slated to get on board in February, including the highly-touted Eduardo Clements and Storm Johnson. Combined with last year’s signing of Mike James and Lamar Miller and the Canes appear on the verge of being loaded at running back again.