15 Greatest College Football Players Ever

In the history of college football, there have been some special players. Incredible athletes, who put up countless records and became college football legends.

Here are the 15 greatest college football players ever in the history of CFB. Check out the list below and see how these players left an indelible mark on the game.

Cam Newton: QB, Auburn Tigers(2010)

• 30 TDs
• 4,327 Total Yards
• Heisman Trophy Winner
• Undefeated Season & National Champion

In just one year of playing college ball at Auburn, Cam Newton shocked the world. His single-season performance in 2010, made Newton one of the greatest college football players ever.

After having trouble early on in his college career, Newton came to Auburn in 2010 with something to prove. In his single season at Auburn, Newton gained over 4,000 total yards and scored 30 touchdowns.

Newton accomplished all of this, while leading Auburn to an undefeated season and winning the Heisman Trophy and national title.

Jerry Rice, WR Mississippi Valley State

• 4,693 Receiving Yards
• 50 TDs
• Single Season TD Record(27)
• Held WR TD Record

Jerry Rice is considered by many as the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL. He also wasn’t half bad in college and broke multiple records, while playing at Mississippi Valley State.

Rice broke numerous college records as a wide receiver in his four years at MVS. Jerry’s previous records included 50 career touchdowns and 310 receptions, while playing in college.

Charles Woodson: DB/Safety, Michigan Wolverines(1995-1997)

•  First Defensive Player to Win Heisman Trophy
• 16 Career Interceptions
• 5 Punt & Kick Return TDs
• National Champion

Of all of the greatest college football players, there was nobody quite like the Michigan legend Charles Woodson. He is the only primarily defensive player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy.

During the late 1990s, Woodson was arguably the most electrifying player in CFB. Woodson was a triple threat on defense, special teams, and offense.

In 1997, Charles was the best player in college football as he led Michigan to a national title. He also made history by winning the Heisman in the same year.

Johnny Manziel: QB, Texas A&M(2012-2013)

• First Freshman Heisman Trophy Winner
• 7,820 Passing Yards
• 2,169 Rushing Yards
• 93 Total TDs

From 2012-2013, there was nobody better than Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel. Johnny Football came onto the scene like a man possessed and took over the sport.

Manziel made history by becoming the first Freshman player in history to win the Heisman Trophy. In his two years as Texas A&M’s starting QB, Manziel gained nearly 10,000 yards from scrimmage and 93 TDs. 

He put on incredible performances and became one of the greatest college football players ever.

Ricky Williams: RB, Texas Longhorns(1995 to 1998)

• Broke NCAA Rushing Record
• Heisman Trophy Winner
• 6,592 Rushing Yards
• 79 TDs

Run! Ricky! Run! Is all you heard whenever Ricky Williams took the field in college. Ricky was dubbed the second coming of Earl Campbell at the University of Texas and he exceeded expectations.

Williams became one of the greatest college football players ever and broke numerous records. The biggest, of course, was breaking Early Campbell’s rushing record with 6,592 yards, enroute to winning the Heisman Trophy. 

Peyton Manning: QB, Tennessee Volunteers(1994 to 1997)

• 11,201 Passing Yards
• 89 TDs
• 39-6 Record
• Broke SEC Wins Record

Before Peyton Manning became an NFL legend, he was one of the 15 greatest college football players. If you could describe Manning’s time as the starting QB for Tennessee it would be dominant.

In Peyton’s four years as the captain at Tennessee, he gained over 11,201 passing yards and 89 touchdowns. However, his most impressive state was breaking the SEC win record with 39 wins and only losing six games in college.

Baker Mayfield: QB, Oklahoma Sooners(2015 to 2017)

• 14,607 Passing Yards
• 131 TDs
• Heisman Winner
• Highest Passing Efficiency Rate in CFB History

Baker Mayfield may be one of the most surprising picks on our list of the 15 greatest college football players ever. After spending a year at Texas Tech, Mayfield turned college football on its head and successfully transferred to Oklahoma. 

Mayfield quickly became a Sooner legend and one of the generation’s best players. He did everything from winning the Heisman Trophy to passing for over 14,607 yards and scoring 131 TDs.

However, Mayfield also broke the all-time passer rating twice, with 196.4 in 2016 and 198.9 in 2017.

Bo Jackson: RB, Auburn Tigers(1982 to 1985)

• 4,303 Rushing Yards
• 43 TDs
• Heisman Trophy Winner
• Most 100-yd Rushing Games(21)

Not only is Bo Jackson one of the 15 greatest college football players ever, he is arguably the greatest all-around athlete. There had never been a special athlete like Jackson, who graced sports with his presence.

In college, Jackson was an absolute force as he gained over 4,000 rushing yards and won a Heisman Trophy. Bo also broke and still holds the record for most 100-yard rushing games with 21. 

Reggie Bush: RB, USC Trojans(2003 to 2005)

• +4,000 Total Yards
• 28 TDs
• 2005 Heisman Winner
• 2x National Champion

From 2003 to 2005, the most electrifying player in college football had to be USC great Reggie Bush. The Trojan running back was part of one of the greatest football teams in the history of CFB.

For three straight years, Bush helped lead the Trojans to three straight national title appearances and won two straight. He did all of this, while putting up unheard of offensive numbers for the juggernaut Trojan offense.

Bush capped off his college career with a Heisman Trophy in 2005 and earned over 4,000 yards from scrimmage.

Vince Young: QB, Texas Longhorns(2003 to 2005)

• 6,040 Passing Yards
• 3,127 Rushing Yards
• 81 Total TDS
• 2005 National Champion

If Reggie Bush was the greatest running back of his era, his rival Vince Young had to be the best QB. Young went down in history as the Texas Longhorn’s greatest quarterback.

The Texas QB was a dual threat that could wreck teams with his passing and running ability. Vince put up over 9,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 81 touchdowns.

Young saved his best performance for last in the 2005 national championship game. This game is considered by many as one of the greatest college football games ever. 

Tommie Frazier: QB, Nebraska Cornhuskers(1992 to 1995)

• 3,521 Passing Yards
• 1,955 Rushing Yards
• 79 Total TDs
• 2x National Champion

Before Vince Young was tearing up teams with his arm and legs, Tommie Frazier did a decade prior. The Nebraska legend was one of the original dual-threat quarterbacks and arguably the best. 

Frazier earned over 5,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 79 touchdowns during his college career. However, Tommie’s biggest feat is leading the Cornhuskers to back-to-back national titles in 1994 and 1995.

His 76-yard touchdown run against Florida in the Fiesta is considered one of the greatest plays in CFB history.

Archie Griffin: RB, Ohio State Buckeyes(1972 to 1975)

• Only 2x Heisman Winner
• 5,589 Rushing Yards
• 26 TDs
• 4 Straight Big Ten Championships

On the list of the 15 greatest college football players ever, Archie Griffin is in a class all his own. Griffin is the only player in CFB to win two Heisman Trophies during his playing career. 

The Buckeye legend also rushed for nearly 6,000 rushing yards and scored 26 tds. He did this all, while helping Ohio State win four straight Big Ten Championships.

Barry Sanders: RB, Oklahoma State Cowboys(1986 to 1988)

• Most Rushing Yards in a Single Season(2,628 Yards)
• Heisman Trophy Winner
• 3,556 Rushing Yards
• Held Single Game Rushing Record(332 yards)

Not only was Barry Sanders one of the 15 greatest college football players ever, he was arguably the most explosive athlete. In his three years as Oklahoma State’s starting running back, Barry Sanders set the world on fire. 

Anytime Barry took the field, fans knew they were in for a show. Sanders saved his best year for last in 1988 as he was the greatest player on Earth.

The Oklahoma State icon broke the single season rushing record with 2,628 yards enroute to winning the Heisman. Barry then went on to become one of the greatest NFL running backs ever.

Herschel Walker: RB, Georgia Bulldogs(1980 to 1982)

• National Champion as a Freshman
• Heisman Trophy Winner
• 5,259 Rushing Yards
• 49 TDs

You can’t have a list of the greatest college football players ever without mentioning the legend Herschel Walker. As a freshman, Walker became the starting RB for the Georgia Bulldogs and led them to a national championship.

For two more years, Walker continued his dominance in college football by gaining 5,259 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns. Herschell then capped off a great college career by winning the Heisman Trophy in 1982.

Tim Tebow: QB, Florida(2006 to 2009)

• 2x National Champion
• First Sophomore Heisman Trophy Winner
• +12,000 Total Yards
• 145 Total TDs

At the #1 spot on our list of the 15 greatest college football players ever is Florida legend Tim Tebow. This pick may be controversial to some, but you’d understand if you saw him play from 2006 to 2009.

Even as a backup QB in 2006, Tebow was an absolute force who helped lead the Gators to a national title. Then, in 2007, Tim took over as team captain of the Florida Gators and became the first sophomore Heisman winner.

Tebow wasn’t done making history after he delivered on his promise and came back in 2008 to win his 2nd title. This second title win solidified Tebow’s status as a college legend.

The Florida Gator icon ended his college career with over 12,000 total yards and 145 touchdowns scored.