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The following is a list of the greatest college football players by position that I have seen play. I would love to do a true all-time team that would include the greats like Butkus, Grange and Staubach. However, I never saw them play. So, you must have played in the last quarter century to make the squad. I’m sure that no one will totally agree with my selections. That is the beauty of all-time teams, no one agrees. I choose players only on their college careers. NFL careers mean nothing to this team. I picked a starting team and Honorable mentions. Let the debate begin ….

Quaterback=Vince young TEXAS

There have been many great QB’s that have flung it around on Saturday’s. None of them have put their team on their shoulders quite like Young could. This big game dynamo was 37-2 as a starter at Texas. His only losses were against great Oklahoma teams. He will always be remembered for his two Rose bowl appearances, the last one leading Texas over USC for the National title.

Two time all-American, 2005 Walter Camp winner, 2005 National passing leader.

Running Back=Barry Sanders Oklahoma State

Sanders may have only started for one year at OSU, but it was the greatest year any collegiate RB has ever had. He set the all-time season records for yards, 2628 and TD’s 37. Those are numbers that are just mind boggling. These numbers were not amassed by running it up against Baylor or Oklahoma A&M. He had three hundred yard games against both Oklahoma and Nebraska. He seemed to have a signature run every Saturday. He capped his College career with a sensational performance against Wyoming in the Holiday bowl.

1988 All-American and Heisman winner

Running Back=Herschel Walker Georgia

Walker amassed the most rushing yards ever for a three year collegiate career. His 5,229 rushing yards were gained by running around, through and over stout SEC opponents. No college RB has ever had the combination of speed, power and durability like Herschel did. If Bo Jackson was more durable, he could have been this pick. Herschel led the Dawgs to the 1980 national title and should have been chosen as the only underclassman to win the Heisman. The voters chose S.Carolia’s George Rogers instead of the freshman.

Three time All-American and 1982 Heisman winner

Tight End=Dallas Clark Iowa

Clark was Brad Bank’s security blanket as Iowa reemerged onto the National scene. He was the rare deep threat at TE and was extremely underrated as a blocker.

Two time All-American and 2002 TE of the year.

Wide Receiver=Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh

Fitzgerald ran past, jumped over and out wrestled defenders for three years to become the greatest WR in the past quarter century. His collegiate record of catching a TD pass in 18 consecutive games is not the only reason why. His big game prowess is what legends are made of. Game after game he would grab the moment by the horns just like he was plucking a John Rutherford pass out of the air. His highlight reel of catches is the most impressive of any receiver in NCAA history.

Two time All-American, 2004 Biletnikoff winner

Wide Receiver=Charles Rogers Michigan State

Yes he has been a bust in the NFL. This may be the pick I get the most heat from. However, Rogers was beyond special while he was a Spartan. He led the nation two years in a row with over 20 yards a catch. And he was the only legitimate weapon MSU had. Don’t let his injury riddled pro career fool you, Charles Rogers is one of college football’s all time greats.

2002 All-American and Biletnikoff winner

Offensive Tackle=Orlando Pace Ohio State

This may have been the most obvious pick for me. Pace destroyed defenders on his way to garnering every award an OT can win. The term Pancake had been around for years but, became a household term after Pace flattened Big Ten opponents week after week. According to the OSU Coach John Cooper, Pace pancaked 23 Iowa defenders in one 1996 ballgame. Now that is amazing.

Two time All-American, 95,96 Lombardi winner and 96 Outland winner

Offensive Tackle=Tony Mandarich Michigan State

I do believe that the two biggest NFL busts on this list happen to come from Michigan State. That is just a coincidence. Mandarich was every thing a offensive lineman has to be at the college level. He was massive, strong, quick and had an explosive mean streak. He seemed to lose all of this at the NFL level, especially the rage that he played with in college. Maybe the money a second overall pick gets softened him up. Or maybe his vitamins in the NFL weren’t as strong.

Two time All-American, 6^th in 1988 Heisman voting

Offensive Guard=Dean Stienkhuler Nebraska

Stienkhuler was the best O lineman on the best OL in College football history. He dominated college foes as a three year starter on one of the great offenses ever. He will always be remembered for his TD off the “Fumblerooski” in the 1984 Orange Bowl.

Two time All-American and 1983 Outland and Lombardi winner

Offensive guard=Steve Hutchinson Michigan

Since joining the NFL he has become the richest guard in league history. He you remember his play at Michigan it is no surprise. An extremely athletic lineman who was a technician when it came to blocking, he was a coaches dream.

Two time All-American

Center=Dave Rimington Nebraska

When an award is named after you, you did something right. Rimington brought the national spotlight to Nebraska’s OL. Every week we saw unreal highlights of him devastating over matched foes. I remember a play against Oklahoma in 1982 where the Sooners had defenders in both “A” gaps. Rimington spread his arms out like a flying wing after snapping the ball and pancaked both opponents. That play has been burnt into my memory. I’ve never seen a center

Defensive Tackle=Warren Sapp Miami

No player on this list had more fun dominating than the effervescent Sapp. He bounced his Jelly off QB’s week after week in college. He should have been the over all number one pick coming out of college but, wasn’t because of untrue off the field rumors. I bet there are 11 NFL GM’s that regret the decision to pass him up in the ’95 draft.

Two time All-American, 1994 Nagurski and Outland trophy winner.

Defensive Tackle=Tony Casillas Oklahoma

Casillas was the bedrock upfront for one of the great defenses in college history. He was an undersized DT that used his athleticism and aggression to dominate the Big Eight. Texas Head Coach Fred Akers was asked about his offenses’ lack of production against Oklahoma after the 1985 game. He summed up the game quite simply, “We got Casillased.” When your name becomes a verb, you have made it.

Two time All-American, 1985 Lombardi winner

Defensive End=Julius Peppers North Carolina

There has never been a more athletic DE in the history of College football. A forward for the Tar Heels B-Ball program, Peppers used his unbelievable skills to amaze us every Saturday. He could block a kick, run down a receiver or intercept a pass. He could simply do it all. It is no surprise he is the foremost DE at the NFL level now.

Two time All-American , 2001 Bednarik and Lombardi winner

Defensive End=Bruce Smith Virginia Tech

Smith is known as one of the greats at the NFL level. Folks, it didn’t start there. He crushed his opponents in college. He may have been the most unblockable player in collegiate history. Known as the king of the seven yard sprint, he led the nation in sacks twice before it became an official stat.

Two time All-American and 1984 outland trophy winner

Inside Linebacker=Brian Bosworth Oklahoma

“TheBoz” may have been an NFL failure but, he is one of the greats in college football history. He was the leader of one of the greatest defenses in college history and is the only two time winner of the Butkus award. Don’t forget it only took him 2 and a half years to graduate.

Three time All-American and two time Butkus award winner

Inside Linebacker=Chris Spielman The Ohio State

An undersized backer that made play after play for the Buckeyes during his four years as a starter. He seemed to be overlooked during his playing days by Bosworth and PSU’s Shane Conlan or Alabama’s Cornelius Bennett however, he holds his own to all of them.

He was a sure tackler who could lay the wood and get a pick in huge stuations.

Two time All-American and 1987 Lombardi winner.

Outside Linebacker=Derrick Thomas Alabama

DT is known for busting up NFL backfields. However he was even more dominant at Alabama. He could single handedly change outcomes of games with his unmatched blend of speed and power. He could rush the QB like a lineman and cover the pass like a safety. This class act is exactly what college football is all about. He did leave ‘Bama early, however he did return to earn his diploma.

1988 All-American and Butkus winner

Outside linebacker=Derrick Brooks Florida State

While the other Derrick at OLB was a rusher that could cover, Brooks is a cover LB that could rush. The most sure tackler on this list, Brooks led quite possibly the most athletic defenses in college history, the 1993 FSU Seminoles. While there he returned 4 int’s for TD’s. Something he has brought to his pro game.

Two time all-American

Strong Safety=Roy Williams Oklahoma

A Tenacious hitter who made play after play for the turn of the century Sooners. He led OU to the 2000 National title. His lack of coverage skills was never an issue in his collegiate days. He simply terrorized opponents. Roy is the greatest hitter of any DB in the past quarter century. His sack, forced fumble, recovery and ensuing TD of Texas QB Chris Simms was the play that sprung him past Miami’s Sean Taylor for me.

Two time All-American and 2001 thorpe and Nagurski winner.

Free Safety=Ed Reed Miami

The only reason Reed didn’t win a Thorpe award is because he went to school at the same time as Roy Williams. “Big Play Ed,” was exactly that for the Canes during his days roaming the secondary. Spectacular in run support Reed was the X factor for one of the great D’s of all-time. He hit like a LB and covered like a corner. Reed is known for taking picks back to the house for the NFL Ravens. Well, he scored 4 TD’s of int’s during his days at the “U.”

Two time All-American

Cornerback=Deion Sanders Florida State

Neon Deion was the epitome of a shut down corner. Teams were afraid to throw to his man. Not because of fear of an incompletion, but for fear that he would pick it and return it for a TD. He was flamboyant, an average tackler and not very humble. However, he was “Primetime,’ and always played well in the big game for the ‘Noles.

Two time All-American and the 1988 Thorpe recipient

Cornerback=Charles Woodson Michigan

I personally think that Ohio State’s Chris Gamble was better. But, how can I not put the only defensive player to win the Heisman as one of my starters. This two way star made plays all over the field for the 1997 national champs. His game winning punt return for a TD against Ohio State will go down in college lore as one of the great plays of all-time.

1997 All-American, Nagurski, Bednarik, Thorpe and Heisman winner

Kicker Mike Nugent The Ohio State

Nugent made long kick after kick for the eventual 2002 National champion Buckeyes. It seemed very Saturday he was rescuing the Bucks from certain doom. Don’t forget the kick offs that seemed to be a touchback every time Nugent was called upon.

Two time All-American 2002 Groza winner.

Punter=Nick Harris California

Harris was the punter before Coach Tedford took the reigns at Cal. That’s when they used to punt, a lot. He had a penchant for dropping the bal inside the 5. He did it 8 times in one game against Illinois in 2000. I know Reggie Roby has a higher career average, but remember, Hayden Fry would not let Roby try coffin corner kicks. This is why I choose Harris.

2000 All-American

Kick Returner Peter Warrick Florida State

There are a plethora of great return men. Warrick is my pick because he seemed to do it when it mattered most. Some will argue that Rocket Ishmael of Notre Dame did the same. But, I have to give the nod to the ‘Nole. Warrick led the Nation in Punt returns in consecutive years.

I understand that I may take some heat for my choices. Bring it on. I can take the heat. If you don’t like my picks, pick you own.

Honorable Mentions

Doug Flutie QB Boston College

Mike Vick QB Va Tech

Marshall Faulk RB San Diego St

Keyshawn Johnson WR USC

Mike Williams WR USC

Keith Jackson TE Oklahoma

Tony Boselli OT USC

Will Shields OG Nebraska

Greg Eslinger C Minnesota

Rob Moore DE Va Tech