The valiant effort in a losing cause resonated in a state that venerated its Civil War heritage. Passing yards: 3,571 | Rushing yards: 682 | TDs: 35 Rushing yards: 5,259 | TDs: 52 | Rushing yards per game: 159.4 He was named the Big Ten's MVP in 1963 and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting the next year. What No. Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1968. Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2006 Class); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 2x DPoY; 3x NFC DPoY; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 5x Second-Team All-Pro; 13x Pro Bowl. Even if you don't believe the fabled details of Gipp's impassioned plea to legendary Fighting Irish coach Knute Rockne from his deathbed in 1920, which Rockne shared with his team during his famous "Win one for the Gipper" speech eight years later, this much is undeniable: Gipp was Notre Dame's first All-American. Greg Pruitt (RB, Oklahoma, 1970-72) He was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2001 and won the Bednarik and Lombardi awards, becoming the first Tar Heels defensive player to win a national college football award. Youll see the first great modern quarterback later on in this list, but Graham was the first great quarterback, period (think basketballs George Mikan, relevant since Graham played ball in the NBL himself). He left Texas as the NCAA's all-time leading rusher with 6,279 yards and posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. 1 all-time; 4,409 attempts, No. With a young coach named Pop Warner, whose single- and double-wing formations made the elusive Thorpe even more difficult to stop, Thorpe propelled the Indians to national prominence. How in the world does one even approach 5,000 yards and 55 touchdowns? 116. The 208-pound Blanchard would become known as Mr. In his last two seasons, the Nittany Lions went 22-0, and as a senior Reid won both the Outland Trophy, given to the national's best interior lineman, and the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's best player. He brought modern love to the less glamorous side of football, and for that alone, he belongs here. While there were no strict parameters, the process for making decisions focused on the field of play and considered elements such as induction to the Hall of Fame, statistics, awards, reputation and the eye test. The next year, he threw for 420 yards with three scores, including the game winner to Hunter Renfrow with one second left, to beat the Crimson Tide 35-31. Versatile. As the prototype for Aaron Donald, Page made his money as one of the most feared members of the Minnesota Vikings blitz package (shout out to the Purple People Eaters). How in the world did a true rushing defensive tackle manage to enjoy a 14-year long career? Claiborne was a smart coach. He went to Michigan State and, with 11 other black starters, helped lead the Spartans to share the 1965 and 1966 national titles. He won the 1940 Heisman Trophy and led the nation in scoring and all-purpose yards in 1939 and '40. While not quite as impactful as the greatest defensive player of all time, Reggie White is a clear positional GOAT, and this is the lowest he can reasonably be slotted before we start to disrespect the defensive side of the game of football.
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