Greatest college football player born in each state
There have been many great college football players from the state of Alabama, but Bo Jackson was the best. In fact, Jackson is one of the greatest pure athletes of all-time, but before he became a Pro Bowl player in the NFL and a Major League Baseball All-Star, Bo played both football and baseball at Auburn.
Jackson starred from his very first game with the Tigers as a freshman in 1982, picking up 123 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns in the season opener against Wake Forest. The Bessemer, Alabama native went on to gain 829 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 127 carries (6.5 yards per attempt), and was the focus in one of the most celebrated plays in Auburn football history – a soaring one-yard TD on fourth down in which he leapt over the offensive and defensive lines to seal a 23-22 victory in the Iron Bowl known as “Bo Over the Top.”
Jackson was even better as a sophomore, and racked up 1,213 rushing yards and 12 TDs in addition to 73 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. The performance made Jackson an All-American. Injuries limited Bo to just 475 yards and five scores as a junior, but Jackson emerged as the nation’s best player as a senior.
With 1,786 rushing yards on 278 attempts – which pushed his career mark to 6.6 yards per carry, which is still an SEC record – and 17 touchdowns, Jackson was once again an All-American and won the Heisman Trophy – joining former Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan as the only players from the Yellowhammer State to ever win the award. Jameis Winston became the third in 2013.
Other Notable College Football Players Born in Alabama:
- Cornelius Bennett, LB, Alabama
- Harry Gilmer, HB, Alabama
- Lee Roy Jordan, LB/C, Alabama
- Ozzie Newsome, TE, Alabama
- Kenny Stabler, QB, Alabama
- Pat Sullivan, QB, Auburn
- Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Next: Alaska