University of Miami Athletics
70

Joel Rodriguez

position

Offensive Line

Height

6-3

Weight

277 lbs.

Class

Redshirt Freshman

Hometown

Miami, Fla.

High School

Monsignor Pace HS

CAREER: An All-America candidate who has fully recovered from a broken fibula suffered last November…was solid in his first season as Miami’s starting center after two years as an apprentice behind All-American Brett Romberg…an excellent student, Rodriguez already has his undergraduate degree and was a 2003 Verizon Academic All-District honoree last season…also is a three-time recipient of BIG EAST All-Academic honors…liberal arts major.

2003 (JUNIOR): Played in 11 games with ten starts at center before suffering a season-ending leg injury against Rutgers…led the Hurricanes with 34 metrorails, adding 25 pancakes while only allowing two sacks…had four pancakes and two metrorails in his first collegiate start against Louisiana Tech…named an offensive MVP by the Miami coaching staff after turning in four metrorails and two pancakes in a come from behind win over in-state rival Florida…smashed West Virginia for nine metrorails and one pancake block to lead UM to a season-high 352 passing yards…named an offensive MVP after being credited with four metrorails and five pancakes against Florida State…helped lead the Hurricanes to 601 total yards and five rushing touchdowns against Temple with five pancakes and three metrorails.

2002 (SOPHOMORE): Played extensively as a backup center…played in every game as either a backup center or on special teams kick and punt protection…earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team for the second consecutive year.

2001 (FRESHMAN): Played extensively as a backup center behind starter Brett Romberg…showed extensive development as a redshirt freshman…played in every game of Miami’s national championship season either at center or on special teams…stepped in for some key playing time when starting center Brett Romberg suffered minor injuries in several games…also took over as the deep snapper against Florida State when starter Chris Harvey suffered a season-ending knee injury…a member of the BIG EAST All-Academic Team.

2000 (REDSHIRT): One of 17 members of the 2000 recruiting class to take a redshirt season.

HIGH SCHOOL: Monsignor Pace…top-ranked center and fifth-best offensive lineman by Florida Prep Football…rated the No. 87 overall offensive line prospect by Rivals.com…named the No. 2 center in Florida on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list…first-team All-Dade County by the Miami Herald…first-team All-State by the Florida Sports Writers Association…first-team All-District…played for Team Florida in 2000 Florida/Georgia All-Star Game…played in Nike Dade vs. Broward All-Star game…played on varsity team since his freshman year…was only three-year starter on team…also earned letters in wrestling and basketball…coached by Joe Zaccheo.