Player Connections
*Linebacker Jonathan Vilma prepped at Coral Gables High School and starred at the University of Miami (Fla.)
*Tight end Jimmy Graham played four years of basketball for the Hurricanes and then converted to play tight end in his fifth year at the school while pursuing his graduate studies.
*Baraka Atkins also played four years for the Hurricanes at linebacker.
*Cornerback Keenan Lewis and Dolphins wide receiver Michael Wallace were high school teammates at O. Perry Walker High School.
*Lewis and Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore were college teammates at Oregon State.
*Running back Travaris Cadet prepped at Miami Central High School.
*Cadet and Dolphins cornerback De'Andre Presley were college teammates at Appalachian State.
*Wide receiver Preston Parker prepped at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Fla.
*Cornerback Patrick Robinson prepped at South Miami High School and Gulliver Prep before playing for Florida State.
*Tackle Brodrick Bunkley also played for the Seminoles.
*Linebacker Ray Shipman prepped at Monsignor Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Fla. Shipman played basketball at the University of Florida before transferring to the University of Central Florida where he played football.
*Cornerback Rod Sweeting is a native of Miami.
*Tackle Isaako Aaitui went to training camp with the Dolphins in 2012.
*Dolphins guard/tackle Dallas Thomas prepped at Scotlandville High School in Baton Rouge.
*Tight end Benjamin Watson and Dolphins linebacker Jason Trusnik were teammates in Cleveland in 2012, where Trusnik played for Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan for two seasons.
*Vilma and Trusnik were teammates for the New York Jets in 2007.
*Safety Kenny Vaccaro and Dolphins defensive tackle Kheeston Randall played on the same defense at the University of Texas.
*Safety Malcolm Jenkins and defensive end Jay Richardson played with Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline and linebacker Austin Spitler at Ohio State.
*Fullback Jed Collins and Miami wide receiver Brandon Gibson were teammates at Washington State.
*Quarterback Luke McCown and linebacker Curtis Lofton played with Dolphins tackle Ryson Clabo and cornerback Brent Grimes in Atlanta.
*Cornerback Chris Carr, guard Ben Grubbs and Miami linebacker Dannell Ellerbe were teammates in Baltimore.
*Carr and runningback Darren Sproles played with Dolphins defensive tackle Vaughn Martin in San Diego.
Coaching Connections
*Defensive line coach Bill Johnson served as a graduate assistant at the University of Miami (Fla.) in 1987 when the Hurricanes won a national title. Johnson also served on the same staff at Texas A&M with Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman.
*Secondary coach Wesley McGriff coached the Hurricanes from 2007-10.
*Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and Dolphins offensive line coach Jim Turner served on the same coaching staff at Louisiana Tech.
*Dolphins tight end coach Dan Campbell went to training camp with the Saints in 2009. Campbell was also tutored by head coach Sean Payton with the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
*Miami defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers coached at Louisiana-Monroe and also served on the same coaching staff as Payton in Dallas from 2003-05.
*Dolphins assistant wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan played for the Saints in 2003.
