Greatest college football player born in each state
The numbers don’t jump out on the page, especially compared to the statistics high-powered offenses produce in today’s college football, but Notre Dame halfback Paul Horning was one of the greatest players ever in college football.
The 1956 Heisman Trophy winner, Hornung won the award despite playing for a disappointing Fighting Irish squad that finished with a 2-8 record. He led the team in both rushing and passing, and was the primary kick and punt returner, handled the punting duties and also played defense.
Hornung threw for 917 yards and three touchdowns in 1956, and was intercepted 13 times, but also added 420 rushing yards and six touchdowns. As a junior in 1955, Hornung was named to the All-American team and finished second in the country with 1,337 total yards.
Yes, Hornung won the Heisman Trophy as a halfback at Notre Dame in 1956 and was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he had some stiff competition among the best college football players from the Bluegrass State.
Former Alabama tailback Shaun Alexander played for the Crimson Tide from 1996-99, and ran for 3,565 yards and 41 touchdowns in a four-year career. Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch rewrote the SEC record book in three years with the Wildcats, and several great offensive linemen hail from the state, including Alabama’s Fred Davis and UK’s Dermontti Dawson.
Other Notable College Football Players Born in Kentucky:
- Shaun Alexander, RB, Alabama
- Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky
- Fred Davis, OL, Alabama
- Dermontti Dawson, OL, Kentucky
- Cris Dishman, DB, Purdue
- Paul Hornung, HB, Notre Dame
- Phil Simms, QB, Morehead State
Next: Louisiana