Greatest college football player born in each state
A state that has produced a large number of talented college football players since the earliest days of the game, Pennsylvania’s greatest player is former Pitt running back Tony Dorsett, who set nearly every NCAA rushing record during his time with the Panthers.
Dorsett took full advantage of the NCAA rule change that allowed freshmen to compete on Saturdays, and ran for 1,686 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on a nation-leading 318 carries in his first collegiate season, and also led the nation with 1,777 yards from scrimmage.
The Rochester, Pennsylvania native added 1,004 rushing yards as a sophomore and 1,686 yards as a junior, and then exploded as a senior in 1976 for 2,150 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 370 carries. Dorsett won the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award and was name an All-American, and the Panthers won the national championship with a 12-0 record.
With statistics added from bowl games, Dorsett had 6,526 career rushing yards, which stood as the NCAA Division I record until Ron Dayne broke it in 1999, and remains No. 2 on the all-time list. Dorsett also set a Division I record with 59 career rushing touchdowns, which currently ranks No. 8 all-time.
Other Notable College Football Players Born in Pennsylvania:
- LaVar Arrington, LB, Penn State
- Chuck Bednarik, LB/C, Penn
- Fred Biletkikoff, WR, Florida State
- Mike Ditka, TE, Pitt
- Bill Fralic, OL, Pitt
- Eddie George, RB, Ohio State
- Red Grange, HB, Illinois
- Jack Ham, LB, Penn State
- Leon Hart, E, Notre Dame
- Dan Marino, QB, Pitt
- Joe Montana, QB, Notre Dame
Next: Rhode Island