Top 5 Two-Way Players In College Football History
There have been some special college football athletes who excelled on both sides of the ball. They could catch passes on offense, make interceptions on defense, or even run back returns for touchdowns.
Here are the top 5 two-way players in college football history. Check out these gifted athletes below and get the best college football odds before the season starts.
5. Gordie Lockbaum: Holy Cross, 1986 to 1988
FCS schools never get much attention, but Gordie Lockbaum was an undeniable talent during his college career. At Holy Cross, Lockbaum was a standout running back and defensive back, who often played entire games.
As a freshman, Gordie set the school record with 2,173 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. In that same year, Lockbaum also recorded 99 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense.
During his sophomore year, Lockbaum put up similar numbers and was 5th in Heisman voting. His stats makes him one of the top 5 two-way players in college football history.
4. Travis Hunter: Colorado, 2022 to 2024
Over the last few years, we saw Travis Hunter become one of the top 5 two-way players in college football history. Under the tutelage of the great Deion Sanders, Hunter became a force on both sides of the ball.
On offense, Travis was a playmaker wide receiver and then made interceptions on defense, while also running back returns. In 2024, he played nearly every snap in each game which hasn’t been done in years.
Hunter was undeniably the best college player of last season and was almost the unanimous Heisman winner. We’re all anxious to see if he can translate his game to the pros.
3. Champ Bailey: Georgia,1996 to 1998
Next up on the top 5 two-way players in college football history is Georgia legend Champ Bailey. At Georgia during the late 1990s, Bailey was a lights out cornerback and wide receiver.
In 1998, Bailey recorded 52 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups. Then on offense he made 47 catches for 744 yards with 7 touchdowns, and ran back returns for touchdowns.
Champ went on to the NFL to have an incredible career and is considered one of the greatest cornerbacks ever.
2. Deion Sanders: Florida, 1985 to 1988
You can’t have a top 5 two-way players in college football history list without “Prime Time” Deion Sanders. The all-time great helped set the standard for great two-way players during his days at Florida.
Sanders was a playmaker on every side of the ball and also returning kicks. On defense, Deion recorded 14 interceptions and returned 3 of them for touchdowns.
He also recorded over 2,681 kick return yards and scored 4 touchdowns. Sanders is unquestionably one of the greatest players in football history.
1. Charles Woodson: Michigan, 1995 to 1997
The #1 spot of the top 5 two-way players in college football history belongs to the great Charles Woodson. He is widely considered the gold standard for great two-way players.
Woodson was an unstoppable force for the Michigan Wolverines during the 1990s. The Wolverines legend became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1997.
That year, Woodson recorded 11 interceptions and four touchdowns(3 offensive, 1 special teams). He put his stamp on history by hitting his iconic Heisman pose during his return touchdown.
