Former University of Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger is often credited with shaping modern college football recruiting when he drew a line across Florida and established “The State of Miami.”
Schnellenberger’s brainchild depended upon the Hurricanes controlling in-state recruiting south of Interstate-4, combined with cherry-picking top talent from across the country. With its jurisdiction firmly established, the University of Miami ruled the college football landscape for the better part of three decades — winning five national championships between 1983 and 2001.
Despite the rise of the SEC in the last 15 years and its encroachment on Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and surrounding counties, Miami still sports one of the most recognizable brands in college football.