What makes a top college football player? Many factors are at work here. However, it can be simplified to a few words—outstanding athletic ability. There are many college athletes you could make a case for. The following are college football greats who undisputedly meet the criteria of exceptional athletic ability, standing head and shoulders above their peers. Who are the top college football players of all time?
1. Jim Brown FB Syracuse (1954-1956)
Jim Brown’s college career was nothing short of extraordinary. He was a powerhouse at FB. However, in those days, FB was utilized a bit differently. It was not used the way we know the position today. Back then it was used as a primary ball carrier, more like how we know RB today. He was ineligible his freshman year due to NCAA rules barring them from playing varsity.
With only playing 8 games a season and no freshman stats, Brown had a career total of 2,091 rushing yards, 21 rushing TDs, 3 receiving TDs, and a 5.5 Average YPC in just 24 games. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Brown also kicked 43 extra points and 3 field goals.
In a game played against Colgate during his senior year, Brown scored 6 touchdowns and kicked 7 extra points. This game went down in history as one of the most impressive single-game feats of all time. Brown was a First Team All-American in 1956 and finished fifth in voting for the Heisman. Let me be very clear in saying, Brown deserved the Heisman. It is clear that race played a role in that decision. Brown was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and remains a true legend among men.
2. Herschel Walker RB Georgia (1980-1982)
Walker is one of the top RBs in college football history. Walker’s storied career as a Georgia Bulldog spanned just three years. He placed third in voting for the Heisman in his freshman year. Georgia won the national title that year. Walker placed second in voting for the Heisman, only behind Marcus Allen. In his third year, he won the Heisman. He is the only player to ever finish in the top 3 in Heisman voting three times.
In 33 games played over 3 years at Georgia, Walker had an NCAA record-setting 5,259 rushing yards. He had 52 rushing TDs despite playing through an early-season shoulder injury during his sophomore year. Walker remains the only player to run for 1,500 yards in three consecutive seasons. He is also the only player to run for 100+ yards in 11+ games three years in a row. Walker also holds multiple school records to this day. He is a three-time All-American and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999 earning his place in the top 5.
3. Barry Sanders RB Oklahoma State (1986-1988)
Barry Sanders was one of the most explosive RBs of all time. He spent his first two years at Oklahoma State as a backup behind Thurman Thomas. Sander got limited touches behind Thomas in his freshman year. In his sophomore year, Sanders was given an increased special-teams role, returning kicks. He led the nation that year in kick returns, averaging 31.6 yards per return. This feat netted him an All-American return specialist. His junior year was arguably the finest single-season performance in college football history.
In 32 games played at Oklahoma State, Sanders had 3,556 career rushing yards, which includes an NCAA record of 2,628 rushing yards in just 11 games in his junior year. He finished his collegiate career with 48 rushing TDs, 5,081 All-Purpose yards, and 1 kick return TD. Berry Sanders was the 1988 Heisman Trophy winner and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
4. Archie Griffin RB Ohio State (1972-1975)
Archie Griffin is the only player in college football history to ever win the Heisman Trophy twice. In his sophomore year, he was the Big Ten MVP. Griffin’s junior year he was a Unanimous All-American and won his first of two Heisman Trophies. In his senior year, he again won the Heisman. Griffin set the NCAA record at the time for 34 100+ games, 31 of which were consecutive. He is a top player in the sport’s history.
Griffin had a career total of 5,589 rushing yards and 26 TDs. He had 6.0 YPC over 46 games played at Ohio State, 4 Big Ten Championships, and started in 4 Rose Bowls. Griffin set the NCAA record for that time of career rushing yards. He was a 3x All-American and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
5. Cam Newton QB Auburn (2010)
Cam Newton only had a single D1 season to note, but it was full of fireworks. He attended the University of Florida in 2007-2008 and had limited playing time as a backup for Tim Tebow. Newton then transferred to Blinn College, where he led Blinn to the NJCAA National Championship. He became the #1 JUCO prospect. Newton then went on to have an amazing season at Auburn, where he was at the top of his game.
Newton had 2,854 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, 7 INTs, and a completion rate of 66.1% at Auburn. Newton also had 1,473 rushing yards, 20 rushing TDs, and even 1 receiving TD. He won the Heisman that year, the AP Player of the Year, the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award, and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and also led Auburn to a BCS National Championship.
Exceptionalism Is What It Takes
What does it take to make a top 5 CFB player of all time? Exceptionalism, athleticism, leadership, and hard work. These are the qualities that tie all these players together. They are the common thread. History has shown us great athletes of all sorts. What does the next generation of greats have in store for us? Perhaps we will get another legend to add to the list of the top players in college football history.
