The Best College Football Player All Time!

[Rolltide94]

Marcus Mariota
Dennis Dixon had he not gotten injured

That's what I like about you OD, you never go full homer.

 

[NolePride]

Frickin' whippersnappers....non historians of CFB

He was another one that went both ways.

Besides being the best QB in the NFL, he was also the best DB.

On offense he led the NFL in TD passes and on defense he led the NFL in interceptions.

Now he was a showman and liked the attention. I read a story about him from the 1940
NFL title game. The Bears won that game 73-0. Osmanski ran 65 yds for a td on the Bears first
play of the game. Well, Baugh and the Skins, took the kickoff and marched right back down the
field. They went for it on 4th and goal and Baugh hit a wide-open Charlie Malone for what would'
have been the tying TD. Malone dropped the ball.

After the game Baughh was asked by the media, what he thought the score might have been if
Malone had caught the ball and tied the game. The article said...Baugh just smiled and remarked...
"The way the Bears played today...it would have been 73-7.

 

[handicappers]

Walker for sure and it's not even close.

 

[ElTexan]

VY

 

[Diego Roll Tide]

My biased opinion: Rocket Ismael.

My unbiased opinion: Bo Jackson.

Bo was the best offensive player I saw in person, and I saw him several times. He was a physical FREAK of nature.

If we adjust for time period, Jim Brown has to be in there.

 

[Diego Roll Tide]

To tough to pick one.

Jim Butkus? Dick's younger or older brother?

DICK Butkus was a two way All American. Linebacker and Center.

Hershel Walker was a freak. He was bigger than most of the defensive lineman he faced, he was faster than everyone else on the field or in the stands and most of the people watching on TV.

What players when they were on the field, offense or defense, did the other teams have to 100% worry about?​

Bo Jackson was another freak athlete, basically a Hershel Walker clone but he attended Auburn.

Earl Campbell, wow.

Don't forget OJ simpson. yeah, he is a prick, but in college football, he scared the other team.

Ndamokong Suh's senior year, he was triple teamed and still dominated everybody. But he only did it his senior season.

Rich Glover, dominated. In 1971 Oklahoma's All American Center, Tom Brahaney, went to the sideline and said to Coach Fairbanks, I can't stop Rich Glover.

Warren Sapp was a dominating force and he did it multiple seasons.

Lawrence Taylor redefined the college football linebacker. then you had Ray Lewis.

John Hannah at Alabama. One of the best OL I ever saw play.

Dave Rimington, probably the best center I ever saw play. Only two time Outland trophy winner.

Orlando Pace only two time Lombardi award winner.

Deion Sanders, he defined how a defensive back could dominate a game.

Great call on Hannah. He was a devastating blocker in college and the NFL. He would be my choice for Alabama’s nominee if we had only one to submit.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Herschel and Bo were both freaks. Herschel is still a freak, maybe even more so than when he was a young man

 

[Diego Roll Tide]

Herschel and Bo were both freaks. Herschel is still a freak, maybe even more so than when he was a young man

He has to be in the best shape of any 57-year old out there.

 

[Deep Creek]

He was another one that went both ways.

Besides being the best QB in the NFL, he was also the best DB.

On offense he led the NFL in TD passes and on defense he led the NFL in interceptions.

Now he was a showman and liked the attention. I read a story about him from the 1940
NFL title game. The Bears won that game 73-0. Osmanski ran 65 yds for a td on the Bears first
play of the game. Well, Baugh and the Skins, took the kickoff and marched right back down the
field. They went for it on 4th and goal and Baugh hit a wide-open Charlie Malone for what would'
have been the tying TD. Malone dropped the ball.

After the game Baughh was asked by the media, what he thought the score might have been if
Malone had caught the ball and tied the game. The article said...Baugh just smiled and remarked...
"The way the Bears played today...it would have been 73-7.

Yep, he was a character for sure. Sammy's son was the high school coach here for several years.

I play golf at the course named for him here.

And you are right. Besides his QB stats, he had the most interceptions a couple of years. Also had the highest yards per punt average for 5-6 years. But, that was the NFL. He was also one of the best and most versatile players in college too.

 

[Deep Creek]

Bo was the best offensive player I saw in person, and I saw him several times. He was a physical FREAK of nature.

If we adjust for time period, Jim Brown has to be in there.

And another one for the old guys.

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

Gordie Lockbaum or GTFO

 

[Moab]

Barry Sanders had one pretty incredible year....

 

[Blackshirts BLVD]

Gordie Lockbaum or GTFO

 

[NolePride]

Gordie Lockbaum or GTFO

I had an older cousin who started for Holy Cross.

He played on the last Holy Cross teams to beat Syracuse in back-to-back seasons. 1957 and 1958.

 

[OrangeAfroMan]

Somebody wrote about Butkus being an All-American at Center and LB. Bednarik was the NFL's last, 60-minute man
who was all-pro as a LB and an Offensive Center. His hit on Frank Gifford is still a classic, must see.

But, I've got to add two names to your list. Jim Brown and Roger Staubach. Staubacj remains the greatest college
QB that ever lived, and even taking the feats of Jim Thorpe into consideration, Jim Brown is the greatest College
Athlete in History.

Roger Staubach's SR season:
Passing:
119-204 (58%) 1,131 yds 4 TD, 10 INT
Rushing:
104 att -1 yard 2 TD

BEST EVER!

 

[Innermind]

Gotta be #34

Bo knows football.

 

[OrangeAfroMan]

I don't know who the best ever was, but he's on this list:
Herschel Walker
Deion Sanders
John Hannah
Red Grange
Lee Roy Selmon
Derrick Thomas
Tim Tebow

NFL career has ZERO to do with 'best college player ever' - so get rid of Staubach, Munoz, Taylor and all of those. I will never understand most people's inability to differentiate college from NFL.

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

I don't know who the best ever was, but he's on this list:
Herschel Walker
Deion Sanders
John Hannah
Red Grange
Lee Roy Selmon
Derrick Thomas
Tim Tebow

NFL career has ZERO to do with 'best college player ever' - so get rid of Staubach, Munoz, Taylor and all of those. I will never understand most people's inability to differentiate college from NFL.

No love for Jim Thorpe?