Brock Berlin

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Brock Berlin (b. July 4, 1981 in Shreveport, Louisiana) was a college football quarterback for the University of Miami after transferring from the University of Florida.

1 University of Florida
2 University of Miami
- 2.1 2003 Season
- 2.2 2004 Season
3 Professional Career

[edit] University of Florida

Berlin was one of the most hyped football recruits in history after he led Shreveport Evangel Christian Academy to three state titles, became a Parade All-American, and won numerous personal honors, including being named Gatorade National Player of the Year and USA Today National Offensive Player of the Year.

After a long recruiting battle for his services, Berlin chose to enroll at the University of Florida in 2000 and play under head coach Steve Spurrier. His career as a Florida Gator never panned out, though, as he found himself stuck behind fellow classmate Rex Grossman on the team's depth chart. Berlin played in twelve games for the Gators over two seasons, throwing for 653 yards and 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions while completing 53 of 87 passes (60.9%).

After the 2001 season, Berlin transferred to the defending national champion, the University of Miami.

[edit] University of Miami

Per NCAA transfer regulations, Berlin was required to sit out the 2002 season, which he spent running Miami's scout team.

[edit] 2003 Season

After incumbent quarterback Ken Dorsey's graduation, Berlin took over the starting job for the 2003 season. Berlin's first season was marked by the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. In his first home game as a Miami Hurricane, Berlin squared off against his old team, the Florida Gators. The 'Canes fell behind 33-10 in the third quarter and Berlin began to hear boos from the crowd as it appeared Miami's then-33 game regular season winning streak was about to end. Berlin, though, caught fire and rallied Miami to 28 unanswered points. The 38-33 victory was the greatest comeback in Miami history. Several weeks later, Berlin again showed his mettle in leading Miami to a 22-14 rainsoaked victory at rival Florida State. However, Berlin struggled in a 31-7 November 1 loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies, as Miami's regular season winning streak was snapped at 39 games. Berlin and the Miami offense again struggled the next week as a hungover Hurricane squad lost 10-7 to Tennessee at home. Berlin, under intense criticism by the media and fans, was benched by head coach Larry Coker for Miami's next game against Syracuse. After Miami's offense, now quarterbacked by Derrick Crudup, again struggled in the 17-10 homecoming win against Syracuse, Coker switched back to Berlin. Miami would win the Big East conference, defeat Florida State (for the second time that season) in the FedEx Orange Bowl, and finish the season at 11-2 and ranked #5 in both polls. Despite showing poise and strong leadership skills, Berlin's numbers for the 2003 season (2,419 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions) were unimpressive, and Coker opened up competition for the quarterback job in the spring.

[edit] 2004 Season

Despite some fans clamoring for highly touted redshirt freshman Kyle Wright to be given the job, Berlin, now a senior, showed considerable progress during spring practice and won the starting job decisively.

Berlin played much better during the 2004 season and added yet another historic comeback to his resumé when he led Miami to a 41-38 win over Louisville in which Miami rallied from a 17-point defecit in the final 20 minutes of the game. The 'Canes would rise as high as #4 in the rankings before late season losses to ACC foes North Carolina, Clemson, and Virginia Tech knocked Miami out of national and conference championship contention. One highlight came against Wake Forest in the next-to-last regular season game of the year when Berlin tied a school record with 5 touchdown passes. After an 8-3 regular season, Miami was invited to play in the Peach Bowl, where Berlin once again faced his former team, the Florida Gators. Again, Berlin had the last laugh as Miami dominated the Gators for a 27-10 win, finishing the season 9-3 and ranked #11 in both polls.

Berlin finished the season with impressive numbers, throwing for 2,680 yards and 22 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions. Berlin was also named All-ACC (Second Team), and finished second in both ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year voting behind Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall.

Berlin threw for 5,099 yards and 34 touchdowns during his Miami career and finished with a 19-5 record as the team's starting quarterback. He is remembered for his toughness and leadership and for going a combined 5-0 against Miami's archrivals, Florida (2-0) and Florida State (3-0). At times beleagured during his tenure, he has come to be appreciated more and more since his graduation, as new quarterback Kyle Wright has struggled to perform at the level expected of a Miami starting quarterback.

[edit] Professional Career

Berlin went undrafted in the 2005 NFL Draft, but was soon signed to a free agent contract by the Miami Dolphins. He served as a backup quarterback for the Dolphins during training camp, although he was not a member of the team's active regular season roster. During the offseason, Berlin was allocated by the Dolphins to NFL Europe to the Hamburg Sea Devils.

He played sparingly in the Dolphins' pre-season games in 2006, completing six of 12 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, but was cut by the team on August 30, 2006.

Florida Gators Quarterbacks
Bell • Berlin • Brindise • Dean • Dickey • Douglas • Dunn • Gaffney • Gailey • Grossman • Johnson • Leak • Libertore • Martin • Matthews • Palmer • Peace • Reaves • Shannon • Spurrier • Sullivan • Tebow • Wuerffel