Greatest college football player born in each state
Some of the greatest players in college football history were born in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher Ron Dayne (who later moved to New Jersey), and North Carolina’s legendary pass rusher Lawrence Taylor, as well as Dre Bly, who was a two-time All-American for the Tar Heels. But the edge for the greatest college football player from Virginia goes to former Virginia Tech defensive end Bruce Smith.
A two-time All-American for the Hokies, Smith won the Outland Trophy in 1984. “The Sack Man” earned his nickname with 46 career sacks at Virginia Tech, which would rank among the best in NCAA history had sacks been an official statistic when Smith was terrorizing opposing offensive linemen. Smith was credited with 22 sacks as a junior in 1983.
After college, Smith was selected No. 1 overall in the 1985 NFL Draft and played nearly two decades in the league while racking up an NFL career record 200 career sacks. Smith was selected to 11 Pro Bowls, nine All-Pro teams, appeared in four Super Bowls and won various NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in five different seasons. He is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Other Notable College Football Players Born in Virginia:
- Ronde Barber, DB, Virginia
- Tiki Barber, RB, Virginia
- Dre Bly, DB, North Carolina
- Ahmad Brooks, LB, Virginia
- Ron Dayne, RB, Wisconsin
- Kenny Easley, DB, UCLA
- Lawrence Taylor, LB, North Carolina
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