70. Get viral NFL graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. Ward also won the Heisman Trophy and, just for grins, led the basketball Seminoles to the Elite Eight. 116. Hutson was a receiver ahead of his time. His four-year rushing totals: 1,863 yards as a freshman, 1,421 as a sophomore, 1,279 as a junior and 1,834 as a senior. Justice is on the short list of greatest players never to win the Heisman. Paul Hornung (QB, Notre Dame, 1954-56) Brees was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. In the era of one-platoon football, Cannon could do pretty much anything on the football field (and he wasn't bad off of it -- he could heave the shot put over 54 feet). One to sit on, one to think with. He was small (5-9, 177) but he relished the chance to prove how well he could play every Saturday. Achievements: Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973; 2-time NFL champion (1958, 59); 1st-team All-Pro (1958, 59, 60); 6-time Pro Bowler, Teams: Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1991; 1979 AP MVP; NFL PFWA MVP (1978, 79); AP Offensive Player of the Year (1978, 1979, 1980); 1st-team All-Pro (1978, 79, 80); 5-time Pro Bowler, Teams: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2015); 8-time First-team All-Pro (1991-1996, 1998, 2000); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1997, 1999); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992); NFL Man of the Year (1994); 12-time Pro Bowler, Teams: Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Achievements: Super Bowl XLV champion; 2009 Defensive Player of the Year; 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999, 2009, 2011); Four-time Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2008, 2010, 2015); nine pro bowls; NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Teams: San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1978); Super Bowl VI champion; AFL Champion (1963); AFL Player of the Year (1963); 6-time First-team All-Pro (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968); Second-team All-Pro (1969); seven pro bowls, Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1977); 2-time Super Bowl champ; 2-time Super Bowl MVP; 5-time NFL champ; 4-time Pro Bowl; first-team All-Pro (1966); 3-time second-team All-Pro (1961, 1962, 1964); NFL MVP (1966); holds the NFL record for the highest postseason passer rating (104.8), Achievements: 5-time First-team All-Pro (2012-2015, 2018); 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014, 2015); Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2017); 5-time Pro Bowler; Pro Bowl Defensive MVP (2014); Bert Bell Award (2014); first player with multiple 20-sack seasons (2012, 2014), Achievements: 1st-team All-Pro (2008); 2-time 2nd-team All-pro (2009, 2011), 11-time Pro Bowler, Pro-Bowl MVP (2008); Holds NFL record for most seasons with 90+ receptions (8); Most TD receptions in a postseason (7 in 2008); Most receptions in a postseason (30 in 2008); Most receiving yards in a postseason (546 in 2008); Third all-time in career receptions (1,303); Second all-time in career receiving yards (16,279), Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1997); 5-time First-team All-pro (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983); Second-team All-Pro (1984); nine pro bowls, Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1988); 4-time Super Bowl champ; 6-time First-team All-Pro (1974-1979); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1973, 1980); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975); 8-time Pro Bowler. But give Switzer credit; he had a 6-foot-3, 248-pound player who had the speed, the moves and the hands to play tight end. Total offense: 2,747 yards | Rushing yards: 1,051 | Passing yards: 1,696 Eight on all-time rushing list coming into 2019 season. The most difficult accomplishment of Allen's Trojan career may have been winning the starting tailback job. Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2014); 4-time First-team All-Pro (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (2006, 2008); nine pro bowls. Newton got in trouble at Florida and decamped to junior college. Receiving yards: 1,944 | Return yards: 1,448 | Touchdowns: 35 Billy Ray Smith Jr. made his own legacy at Arkansas, however, lettering four years at defensive end and serving as team captain in 1982. Teams: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1985); 1x MVP; 1x OPoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 5x Pro-Bowl; 1x AP Athlete of the Year; 1x Bert Bell Award; 1x AFL All-Star. Total offense: 3,481 yards | Passing yards: 2,628 | Interceptions: 16 83. Rushing yards: 3,221 | Touchdowns: 30 | Return yards: 1,198 MOHAMED SALAH. In his senior year, the other three All-American defensive linemen averaged 6-3, 221. Achievements: 3-time Super Bowl Champion 2015, 17, 19); 1st-team All-Pro (2011, 14, 15, 17); 5-time Pro-Bowler; 2014 AP Comeback Player of the Year. It was presented by the NFL Network in 2010. Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2004; two-time Super Bowl champion (1998, 99); 1989 AP MVP; 1998 Super Bowl MVP; 1992 Walter Payton Man of the Year; 9-time Pro Bowler; Achievements: Inducted into Pro Footbal HOF 2010; 18,355 rushing yards, No. Griffin changed his coach's mind, perhaps by rushing for a school-record 239 yards in the second game of the season. 11-100 in our list of the greatest NFL players of all time: Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1987); 4-time Super Bowl champ; 5-time First-team All-Pro (1972-1974, 1977, 1979); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1971, 1975, 1976); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1972, 1974); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1969); 10-time Pro Bowler, Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1979); 6-time first-team All-Pro (1965, 1967-1970, 1972); 2-time second-team All-Pro (1966, 1971); 8 Pro Bowls; 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1969, 1970), Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets, Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2000; 4-time Super Bowl Champion (1982, 84, 88, 89); 1st-team All-Pro (81, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91); 10-time Pro Bowler, Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1998; 1st-team All-Pro (1981, 82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90); 11-time Pro Bowler; 1991 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, Teams: Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1980); 5-time First-Team All-Pro (1965-1969); 3-time second-team All-Pro (1964, 1970, 1972); 8 Pro Bowls; 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1967, 1968); NFL didnt record sacks an as official stat until 1982, but it is said Jones had 194.5 during his career, Teams: Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2011; 2-time Super Bowl Champion (1995, 96); 1994 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98); 8-time Pro Bowler, Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1965; 3-time NFL Champion (1950, 54, 55); 4-time AAFC champion (1946, 47, 48, 49); 3-time NFL UPI MVP (1951, 53, 55), 1st-team All-Pro (1947, 48, 49, 51, 53, 54, 55); 5-time Pro Bowler. In 14 games, Suh had 85 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 24 quarterback hurries, 10 pass breakups, three blocked kicks and one interception. Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon, 2012-14) Passing yards: 6,040 | Rushing yards: 3,127 | Total TDs: 81 (37 rush/44 pass) Diego Maradona 123. NFL's best players ever at every offensive position - Is Tom Brady the GOAT quarterback? Playing alongside safety Kirby Smart, Bailey made 52 tackles and caught 50 passes -- 47 on offense, three on defense. That sums up Peyton Mannings career. His ranking here is still debatable and should be a credit to those ranked above him, rather than a knock on his legacy. They've witnessed their idol give an explosive interview about Manchester United which saw him leave the Premier League club. After Messi and Argentina did lift the World Cup, Gary Lineker suggested the GOAT debate was over. Smith was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1983 as the fifth pick of the first round. Major Achievements: 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2022 World Cup finalist, 2022 World Cup Golden Boot, 2018 World Cup Young Player Award, 2022 World Cup Silver Ball, 2018 Kopa Trophy, 2017 Golden Boy, 2x. 13. Built like a tank (60, 205 lbs), Woodson was was a deceptively skilled ball hawk, nabbing 71 career interceptions (3rd all-time) and 32 career defensive fumble recoveries (1st all-time). Marinaro remains one of only nine rushers to lead the nation in rushing in consecutive seasons, joining such stars as O.J. Considered the best left winger of all time, it's not surprising that Cristiano Ronaldo has also popularized the "CR7" phrase as the No. Boselli made All-Pac-10 as a freshman, when the Trojans went 3-8. Few linebackers hit as hard or as often as Butkus, a two-time All-American at Illinois. Carter stood 5-11 and weighed only 161 pounds, and that might have been while wearing a helmet and cleats. Rushing yards: 5,259 | TDs: 52 | Rushing yards per game: 159.4 But Mullen is a shrewd judge of talent. In his final two seasons, Dayne led the Badgers to back-to-back Rose Bowl victories, running for a combined 446 yards in victories over UCLA and Stanford. But after he began to participate in civil rights protests, he said, the Bulldogs no longer had a uniform for him. If for nothing else, the NFLs career sack leader cant slide lower than the low 20s. Marco van Basten 13. While playing for the Minnesota Vikings, Page graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School. He was already named to the NFL 100 in 2019, but after smashing the massively favored Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on his first try with a brand new team, he silenced all questions about his individual greatness. Leroy Keyes had the misfortune of playing college football in the same era as O.J. He averaged 1.9 tackles for loss per game, which ranks second in FBS history, and finished second in UNC history with 30.5 career sacks and 53 tackles for loss. Don Hutson (E, Alabama, 1932-34) As a junior, when Oklahoma lost the Game of the Century to Nebraska, 35-31. Passing yards: 10,796 | Passing TDs: 105 | Passing efficiency: 171.8 Reid also excelled as a heavyweight wrestler and shortened his NFL career in order to pursue his love of music. Teams: Cleveland (AAFC), Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers. The only difference is that he won more. Inside for his tough running between the tackles. Eddie George (RB, Ohio State, 1992-95) Lowe and Bennett are the only three-time All-Americans in the rich history of Alabama football. Top 20 Greatest Footballers Of All Time 2023 20. The marquee name of the Chicago Bears defense in the 1980s (known as the Monsters of the Midway), Singletary was one of the most feared and yet most respected defenders in the NFL. He played violin, French horn and cornet, and he graduated early to join the navy during World War II. One of the first great mobile quarterbacks, Young was extremely efficient, and has the second-most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, with 43. Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1977); 3x Super Bowl Champion; 5x NFL Champion; 7x First-Team All-Pro 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl. Tackles: 176 | Sacks: 19.5 His 5,263 career rushing yards total ranked sixth in NCAA history at the time. Ricky Williams (RB, Texas, 1995-98) He was named the Big Ten's MVP in 1963 and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting the next year. Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers, Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1979 Class); 4x Champion (1x Super Bowl, 3x pre-Super Bowl); 3x MVP; 1x MoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 10x Pro Bowl. It may not have been legal then; no one had ever been able to do it before. He would be gone two years later, dying from leukemia. The heir to Joe Montanas throne in San Francisco, Steve Young was a proper successor to the heritage of the Niners. His hard work and heart were famous, as he notably made a switch to OT briefly to understand how to beat blockers. Alex Hess, Marcus Alves, Alex Reid, Declan Warrington, Thore Haugstad, Michael Yokhin, Andrew Murray, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Jon Spurling last updated 9 November 2022 From Messi to Maradona, Cristiano. He finished second in 2003 Heisman Trophy voting, the highest finish for a receiver since Michigan's Desmond Howard won in 1991. 34. He was named All-American in 1986. Nearly a century later, Grange's first-quarter performance against Michigan in 1924 remains unmatched: In the dedication game of Memorial Stadium on the Illinois campus, Grange returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Listed in alphabetical order. He punted, kicked field goals and extra points, and returned kicks. 138. 101. He finished his Miami career with 327 tackles and an average of 109 per season. The son of a Minnesota sports writer, Fitzgerald had his hands on a football at an early age as a Vikings ball boy. The easy way to check the best players in the world . Gallery Ranking the Steelers Top 25 players 25 and younger. Despite the heavy controversy surrounding his career, Terrell Owens was the greatest wide receiver of his day outside of Randy Moss. In 2005, he ran for 1,740 yards, scored 19 touchdowns and helped the Trojans reach the national championship game. He signed to play at Notre Dame, but after he got into a high school fight that resulted in a misdemeanor assault conviction, the university refused to admit him. Two years after Jim Brown graduated, Syracuse gave Davis the No. Tackles: 229 | Tackles for loss: 63 Check out the full list below: Well, he certainly wasn't short of plaudits after the World Cup final. Before the left-handed Young won three Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers, he was a dangerous dual-threat quarterback at BYU. What's more, Nebraska might not have needed the two points if Rozier hadn't sprained his ankle early in the third quarter. He led the Ducks to a 36-5 record over three seasons. Robinson was a three-time All-American, and the Downtown Athletic Club of New York named him linebacker of the year in 1977 and '78. One, namely Randy Moss, just narrowly missed this list, but two FCS players did make it. As a freshman with the Gators in 1987, he ran for 1,341 yards and finished ninth in Heisman voting. Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1999 Class); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 1x MVP; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 3x DPoY; DRoY. Woodrow Lowe (LB, Alabama, 1972-75) Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1967; 2-time NFL champion (1949, 60); 1st-team All-Pro (1950, 51, 52, 53, 54, 60); 8-time Pro Bowler, Teams: Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals, Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1963); First-team All-pro (1923), Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1998); Super Bowl XX Champion; 7-time First-team All-pro (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991); Second-team All-pro (1990); 10 pro bowls, Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1963); 2-time First-team All-pro (1930, 1931). That not only propelled USC past its archrival, it sent the Trojans to the 1967 national championship. Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2016); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001, 2003); Second-team All-Pro (2000); seven pro bowls. "Nobody in college football can block him." The 6-foot-6 Munoz, such a talented athlete that he pitched on the Trojan baseball team, opened holes for two future Heisman winners, Charles White and Marcus Allen. The Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young, the Alabama quarterback, at No. As a junior in 1981, Marino completed 59% of his passes for 2,615 yards with a best-in-the-nation 34 touchdown passes. And not just any losing team -- the Fighting Irish went 2-8 in 1956. Vick became the first overall pick of the 2000 NFL draft. Although he did not lead Notre Dame in rushing, receiving or scoring in 1953, his versatility on both sides of the ball helped him claim the Heisman and a spot on the cover of Time. 97. However, spare a thought for Ronaldo fans who have had a tough few weeks. Robinson started his college career as a wide receiver, but Bruins coach Dick Vermeil persuaded him to move to inside linebacker just before the Rose Bowl at the end of Robinson's freshman campaign. Rushing yards: 2,957 | Yards per carry: 8.3 | Touchdowns: 59 But neither will anybody else." As the highest-ranking Buffalo Bill, Bills Mafia would riot if he slid any lower than that too. Passing yards: 11,792 | Passing TDs: 90 | Pass completions: 1,026 He led the FBS in punt returns with a 15.2-yard average in 1988 and set FSU career records with 126 punt returns for 1,429 yards with three scores. Hutson caught six passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns in Alabama's 29-13 win over Stanford in the 1935 Rose Bowl. But Bowden is certain which Seminole was the best athlete he ever coached. 128. Ronaldinho, Kaka, Xavi, Iniesta, and Roberto Carlos are among many of the 21st century footballing greats. Uh, no. The two-time All-American helped the Cornhuskers win back-to-back national titles in 1970 and '71. Parker was the Buckeyes' first Outland Trophy winner in 1956 and a two-time All-American. Leon Hart (E, Notre Dame, 1946-49) Spurrier won the 1966 Heisman Trophy as Florida's quarterback and returned to his alma mater to coach the Gators to their first national title three decades later. We're not sure we agree with that one, Piers. As for Marino, again, he never won a title, but his iconography on the Dolphins is second to none, and he was the eminent stat gobbler of his time. In the NFL, Olsen was part of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line. Most importantly, he helped the Wolverines win their first national title since 1948. He finished second to South Carolina's George Rogers in Heisman Trophy voting as a senior, the highest-ever finish by a full-time defensive player. Lattner's 3,095 all-purpose yards topped Notre Dame's record book until Vagas Ferguson in 1979. Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2021 Class); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 5x MVP; 2x OPoY; 1x MoY; 7x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 14x Pro Bowl; multiple records (career MVPs, Pro Bowls, 4,000-yard passing seasons, single-season passing yards (5,477), single-season passing TDs (55). Taking into account competitions of all levels, 72 players have reached the milestone according to research by the RSSSF, an organisation described by German newspaper Der . Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer thought so much of Sims that he called Sims at the Hooks, Texas, gas station where Sims worked to continue recruiting him. Rushing yards: 5,589 | Rushing TDs: 27 | Rushing yards per game: 121.5 Ties were broken by using the highest single vote a player received. He led Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, to a state championship as a senior, but his only scholarship offers were from Purdue and Kentucky. He arrived at Maryland as a fullback, but at the end of his freshman year, new head coach Jerry Claiborne shifted him to the other side of the line. He became a Rhodes Scholar and was No.