Top 10 Best College Football Players of All Time

You're not just picking names. You're crowning legends. You're sorting through decades of jaw-dropping runs, stonewall tackles, and Saturdays that turned kids into icons before they ever cashed a pro paycheck.

This isn't about who did what in the NFL. This is about college. Raw passion. Marching bands. Rivalry games that split families. It's about the guys who ran wild, shattered records, snatched trophies, and carried their teams like it was personal. Because for them, it was.

So cast your vote. Stack the deck with your favorites. Maybe it's the guy who never lost a game, or the one who put up numbers that looked like a glitch in the stats column. You decide who belongs at the top.

The Top Ten

  1. Herschel Walker

    Herschel Walker is a former professional American football player, bobsledder, sprinter, and mixed martial artist. He played college football for the University of Georgia, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1982. Walker also competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics as a member of the U.S. bobsled team.

    UGA before Herschel was an average team. UGA after Herschel was an average team until about 2002! From 1980-1982, Georgia lived in the top 5, won a National Title, and had a shot to win 3 National Titles.

    I saw Herschel play Penn State for the National Title his junior year. Penn State would have blown out Georgia without Herschel, but he single-handedly kept Georgia in the game. I had never seen a team lean on one guy so much.

    Herschel Walker is the greatest college football player of all time.

    Herschel Walker accomplished what he did against SEC defenses. He was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall players with a single bound.

    Put his highlight reel up and it's not close. Herschel was, is, and always will be the best running back to ever play football at any level.

  2. Archie Griffin

    No better than Archie. The guy taught upcoming running backs how to run hard every play, yet still have elusive moves. Two-time Heisman winner. It speaks for itself.

    Only two-time Heisman winner in the history of the game. You've got to respect this Buckeye.

    He is the only person to win the Heisman twice. He deserves to be number one.

  3. Tim Tebow

    Timothy Richard Tebow is an American former professional baseball outfielder and a former professional American football player in the National Football League. He played minor league baseball in the New York Mets organization from 2016 to 2021. Tebow is also known for winning the 2007 Heisman Trophy... read more

    Clear choice!

    First of all, he should be higher than Walker because he broke his rushing TD record while playing quarterback! He was a Heisman finalist 3 years in a row and was the first sophomore to ever win it. He was a part of 2 national championships and was the first player to ever throw and rush 20 touchdowns in a single season. He was the epitome of dual-threat quarterbacks.

    And to top it off, he had the best morals and personality, carrying his team and delivering one of the best speeches in football history.

    His stats in high school were impeccable, his stats in college were amazing, and even his stats, although limited on the pro level, were respectable. The NFL is a business and one of entertainment. Although his character was (and is) one that is poster quality as a role model for youth in real life, it did not fit the bill for the powers that be in the leading entertainment industry known as the NFL.

    Say what you want, Tebow belongs in the Top 3. Tears or not, passion does have a place.

  4. Red Grange

    Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost," was a college and professional American football halfback. He played for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and the short-lived New York Yankees football team. Grange is widely considered one of the greatest football players in... read more

    Forgotten but by far one of the toughest and greatest players to touch the field. He turned the NFL into a serious league.

    Should be top 5. He doesn't have the numbers, but that's because he played in the 1920s.

    Single greatest player to ever wear a uniform in college football.

  5. Jim Brown

    James Nathaniel Brown (February 17, 1936 to May 18, 2023) was an American professional football player and actor. He played as a fullback for the Cleveland Browns of the NFL from 1957 to 1965. Brown led the league in rushing yards eight times, was selected to the Pro Bowl every year of his career, earned... read more

  6. Bo Jackson

    Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former professional baseball and American football player. He is the only athlete in history to be named an All-Star in both Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Jackson became a cultural icon in the late 1980s and early 1990s through the popular "Bo... read more

    I'm an Alabama fan, but I agree this guy is arguably the best college football player of all time and should be number one on this list.

    His speed and power were unmatched. He got denied the natty 3 straight years. Best sports player ever.

    Yup, the best. Played baseball and football at the same time at the pro level.

  7. Jim Thorpe

    James Francis "Jim" Thorpe was an American athlete and Olympic gold medalist. A member of the Sac and Fox Nation, Thorpe became the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States. He excelled in multiple sports, including football, baseball, and track and field.

    He led college football in rushing yards and touchdowns four times.

  8. Barry Sanders

    Barry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent his entire professional career with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was known for his elusive running style and explosive speed. Sanders won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 1997 and was inducted into the Pro... read more

    No one like Barry. He carried teams like no other. Every other player wanted to play like Barry.

    He was a freak show on the field, and when he went to the pros, he was even better.

    Barry is terrific. He is the third-best running back. First is Bo Jackson, second is LaDainian Tomlinson, then Barry.

    We dem boyz

  9. Dick Butkus

    Richard Marvin Butkus, born December 9, 1942, and passed away on October 5, 2023, was a legendary American football linebacker. He played for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1973 and was known for his aggressive style and dominant presence on the field. After retiring, Butkus worked as a commentator and... read more

    Ohio State fan here, but I have to say Butkus is the best ever.

  10. Johnny Manziel

    Jonathan Paul Manziel is an American football quarterback who played for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

    Manziel was a standout college player, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012 while... read more

    No matter your opinion of Manziel, the stats and results speak for themselves. There was no one more exciting to watch at the college level. I know I'm biased as an Aggie, but Johnny Football was the most electrifying college athlete in his time at A&M, on and off the field.

    He broke Tim Tebow's record his Redshirt Freshman season and was the first "Freshman" Heisman winner. He should have won it his sophomore season.

    Most exciting player to watch, even if you are not a fan of his team or his over-hyped, over-spun offseason activities. This guy does what others cannot, have not, and likely will not.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Joe Burrow

    Joseph Lee Burrow (born December 10, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). After three seasons of college football with the Ohio State Buckeyes, he played two seasons for the LSU Tigers, winning the Heisman Trophy and... read more

    Best season ever by a college QB. LSU went 15-0, became national champions, and Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. He was also the first overall pick in the NFL draft. His season was so exceptional that he deserves to be on this list just for that.

  12. ?

    Saquon Barkley

    Saquon Rasul Quevis Barkley (born February 9, 1997) is an American professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).

    He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he set several school records for offensive production over... read more

    13. The Contenders

  13. Earl Campbell

    Earl Christian Campbell is a former American football running back who played professionally in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1977 while playing college football at the University of Texas. Campbell was inducted into the Pro Football... read more

    The Tyler Rose made a name for himself as a tough but popular running back from Texas and in 1977 was a Heisman Trophy winner. His college career was great, and his coach Darrell Royal said it best: "Earl was good enough as a freshman to go into pro football. He wouldn't have been a star right away, but no one would have had the guts to cut him because you could see the raw talent here."

    Truly a great runner, good enough to shine on national television thanks to ABC Sports, and he went on to shine in the pros.

    Its Joeysworld

  14. Charles Woodson

    Charles Woodson is a former American football cornerback and free safety. He played college football at the University of Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a national championship in 1997. Woodson, a rare "two-way player" who played both offense and defense, won the Heisman Trophy that same year... read more

    Defense gets no love, and half of the college football players play on that side of the ball. They say defense wins championships, and that's true, but why don't we award them the Heisman more often?

    The last guy to do it on defense was Charles Woodson. Dominant cornerback! Great at coverage, would dare you to throw his way, and when you did, he'd pick you off. Great punt returner and also played a little wide receiver. It's actually sad that he had to play offense to have a shot at the Heisman because his defensive play alone should have won him the award.

    He beat out Peyton Manning for the award, and that was no fluke. Peyton was a great college QB but choked in the big games, like he still does today. 0-4 vs. Florida, enough said there. Woodson, on the other hand, led Michigan to a 12-0 season and their first National Title in 48 years!

  15. Marcus Mariota

    Marcus Ardel Taulauniu Mariota is an American football quarterback currently serving as the backup quarterback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2014 while playing for the University of Oregon. Mariota has previously played for the Tennessee Titans... read more

    Should've won the Heisman twice. Lacking a National Championship but still an amazing player.

    Mariota should be higher, and I watched him back in the day when he was in college.

  16. Anthony Davis

    Watch him play against Notre Dame. Any questions?

  17. Nile Kinnick

    Iowa fan here. Best player of all time. Never seen one better.

  18. Peyton Manning

    Peyton Williams Manning is a former American football quarterback considered one of the greatest in NFL history. He played 18 seasons in the league, 14 with the Indianapolis Colts (1998-2011) and four with the Denver Broncos (2012-2015). Manning retired after leading the Broncos to a victory in Super... read more

  19. Michael Vick

    Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is a former American football quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Falcons as the first overall pick... read more

    Vick should seriously be higher. Vick was one of my favorite players and had a cannon of an arm even though most people don't know it.

    Best college player ever. The combination of running and passing was unmatched. He was actually number 1 in passing efficiency in 1999.

    The fastest quarterback of all time.

  20. Jameis Winston

    Jameis L. Winston is an American football quarterback who signed with the New York Giants in March 2025 on a two-year, eight million dollar contract. He previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns. Winston earned a Pro Bowl selection during his rookie season... read more

    How is he not top 10, maybe top 5? Really, Aaron Murray but not Jameis?

  21. Doc Blanchard

    He won the Heisman and came in second place two times. If he had been able to play as a freshman, he would have inevitably been a finalist. He was one half of the most famous college backfield in history and helped make Army into a college dynasty in the 1940s.

    He has to be in the top ten ever, and not being so reflects the lack of historical knowledge of the voters.

  22. Archie Manning

    I remember the Tide-Rebel game of 1969, and there were many others in his three years. The reason for his lackluster career in the NFL was John Mecom trading very good players, and he had no help most of the time. As the Bear said, he was the best college physical specimen of a quarterback he'd ever seen. He would complete passes with defenders hanging on him or pulling him down, and some would be for TDs. Just a bit of FYI.

    Archie Manning is the best QB in college history. He did things Johnny Football could only dream of.

  23. Reggie Bush

    Reginald Alfred Bush II (born March 2, 1985) is a former American professional football running back. He played college football at USC, where he earned consensus All-American honors twice and won the Heisman Trophy in 2005. Bush was selected second overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints... read more

    How is he not in the top 10 or 5? By far the best college running back ever.

    Most exciting player in college football history.

  24. Deion Sanders

    Deion Luwynn Sanders Sr. (born August 9, 1967) is a former professional athlete who played both American football and baseball. He is one of the few individuals to have competed in both the Super Bowl and the World Series. Sanders currently works as a college football coach and serves as an analyst for... read more

  25. Vince Young

    Vincent Paul Young Jr. is a former American football quarterback who played six seasons in the National Football League. He was drafted third overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2006. Young was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year that same season.

    He rallied his team from behind from 12 points halfway through the 4th to beat what was hyped to be the best college football team ever.

    Watch Vince on the highlight reel as a Longhorn. Nothing but magic. Deserves another shot in the NFL. Best college QB of all time.

  26. Gale Sayers

    Gale Eugene Sayers, also known as "The Kansas Comet," was born on May 30, 1943, and passed away on September 23, 2020. He played college football at the University of Kansas and later joined the Chicago Bears in the NFL, where he played from 1965 to 1971. Despite a career shortened by injuries, Sayers... read more

  27. Roger Staubach

    Roger Thomas Staubach, nicknamed Captain America and Captain Comeback, is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played his entire career (1969-1979) with the Dallas Cowboys, winning two Super Bowls and earning six Pro Bowl selections. Staubach was inducted into the... read more

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