When it comes to the history of college football, no conference has produced more talent than SEC Football. The home of numerous Heisman Trophy winners and National Champions, the SEC has turned into an absolute powerhouse conference, led by the likes of Alabama, LSU, and Auburn to name a few.
In this piece, we take a look at the top-50 players in the history of the program, a list that was not only challenging to come up with but downright fun. From recent stars to players who helped make the conference what it is, the list is a walk down memory lane.
50. Best SEC football players of all time: John Henderson, Tennessee football
We kick off our top-50 players in SEC history with a man affectionately referred to as “Big Hen,” John Henderson. Playing defensive tackle for the University of Tennessee from 1998 through 2001, Henderson dominated SEC opponents, becoming a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Though an ankle injury would hinder him during his senior season, Henderson was still named an All-American, his second straight season earning that honor. The winner of the Outland Trophy during the 2000 college football season, Henderson had 12 sacks that season, as he was also named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Big John would end up being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, playing ten seasons in the league, and being named a Pro Bowler twice. However, it was his exploits during his time with the Volunteers that land him on our list, a career that saw him finish fifth in school history with 20.5 sacks.
49. Best SEC football players of all time: Nick Fairley, Auburn football
As a three-star prospect coming out of Williamson (AL) High School, Nick Fairley actually committed to playing for Auburn University, but could not get in academically and had to go to Copiah-Lincoln Community College. After two years at the school, he would finally get to Auburn, and after a solid 2009 campaign, he dominated in 2010.
The 2010 Auburn team was a special one, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton, and Fairley led a nasty front for the Tigers, racking up 60 tackles. Of those 60 stops, 24.5 of them came for a loss, and include 11.5 sacks, as Fairley helped Auburn to a spot in the BCS National Championship Game against Oregon.
A consensus All-American and Lombardi Award winner, Fairley played his best football in the biggest moments, as he was the Defensive Player of the Game in the title game. Considered a dirty player by his opponents, Fairley was quick and nimble for a guy his size, making it easy for him to get around offensive guards and centers.
After his standout season, he would be the No. 13 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, spending seven years in the NFL, being named a second-team All-Pro in 2012.
48. Best SEC football players of all time: Jerry Stovall, LSU football
Few players have dominated both sides of the ball for the LSU Tigers quite like Jerry Stovall did back in the early 1960s. A do-everything player for the Tigers, Stovall played running back, in the defensive backfield, and served as the punter for LSU, all the while becoming one of the better players in the history of the conference.
The task was not easy for Stovall, as he had to take over for the legendary Billy Cannon at halfback, but he was certainly up for the challenge. A two-time All-SEC player, Stovall was a unanimous All-American selection during the 1962 season, a year that also saw him named the SEC’s Player of the Year.
Finishing as a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, Stovall helped lead the Tigers to an SEC title in 1961, as “Mr. Everything” won the Walter Camp Trophy. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, he would be selected in the top three picks by both the NFL and AFL, settling with the St. Louis Cardinals, a team that he made three Pro Bowls for.
Stovall’s No. 21 is retired by LSU, and he even came back to be the program’s head coach in the early 1980s. He is regarded as one of the better all-around players in SEC history.
47. Best SEC football players of all time: A.J. McCarron, Alabama football
The Alabama Crimson Tide are going to be well-represented in our list of the top-50 players in SEC football history, and rightfully so. One of the best programs in college football, Alabama has produced a ton of NFL talent, while also racking up numerous national titles.
Our No. 47-ranked player led the Crimson Tide to two of those national titles, becoming the first quarterback to win back-to-back BCS Championship. A.J. McCarron left Alabama with numerous school records, including becoming the all-time leader in passing yards, as well as passing yards in a season.
A product of Mobile, Alabama, McCarron had a monstrous 2013 campaign, winning his second of two straight national titles. The signal-caller won the Maxwell Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm honor, as well as the Kellen Moore Award, capping an unbelievable career for the Crimson Tide.
A fifth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014, McCarron is most known for his exploits at Alabama, throwing for 77 touchdowns against only 15 interceptions, as one of the more successful quarterbacks in school history.
46. Best SEC football players of all time: Glenn Dorsey, LSU football
Known for his feisty nature, and a fierce competitive streak, Glenn Dorsey was an absolute star during his time with the LSU Tigers. One of the best players coming out of high school, Dorsey played for the school from 2004 through the 2007 season, becoming one of the more feared defensive linemen in the country.
A two-time All-American and First-Team All-SEC player, Dorsey was a homegrown hero for the LSU program, and by the time all was said and done, he had one of the more decorated careers of any defensive tackle in program history. His 2007 was one of the best on record, as he led the Tigers to a national title while taking home the Lombardi Award, the Outland Trophy, and the Bronco Nagurski Trophy.
In fact, not only did Dorsey take home all three honors, but he was also named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year. He is the only player in SEC history to win all four of those awards and was known to play hurt, while still being able to dominate the competition.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, he was the fifth overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, playing nine seasons in the NFL.
45. Best SEC football players of all time: Tracy Rocker, Auburn football
There have been several dominant defensive tackles to come out of the Auburn Tigers football program, but Tracy Rocker stands above all of them. During his time with the school, Rocker dominated the college football landscape, being named All-SEC three times.
During the 1988 college football season, he became the first player in SEC history to win both the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award. That season, Rocker was named a consensus First-Team All-American, his second of two All-American nods.
In that same season, Rocker became the first Auburn player to win the SEC Player of the Year honor, finishing up his career with 21 sacks. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Rocker was selected in the third round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the now-Washington Football team, playing two years in the NFL.
Though his NFL career did not match the work he put in at Auburn, he became an incredible coach, coming back to coach Nick Fairley, who was our No. 49-ranked player on this list. Currently, Rocker is back in the NFL as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Eagles.
44. Best SEC football players of all time: Carnell Williams, Auburn football
Playing for Attalla (AL) Etowah High School, Carnell Williams was named Mr. Football in the State of Alabama. Taking his talents to Auburn, it did not take him long to establish himself at the college level, getting his opportunity as a true freshman for the Tigers.
“Cadillac” would take that opportunity and never look back, and while injuries did derail part of his collegiate career, when he was on the field, he was a sight to be seen. Williams had bright moments as a true freshman, including running for nearly 180 yards against Arkansas, and also toting the rock a school-record 41 times against Georgia.
In year two, Williams saw a promising season end with a broken fibula but still finished with 10 touchdowns in only seven games. As a junior, he really began to show out, scoring a school single-season record 17 rushing touchdowns, while averaging over five yards per carry. Instead of turning pro, he returned for his senior season, and the Tigers were happy he did.
He played a key role in the team winning the SEC title that year, going 13-0 overall, and finishing No. 2 in the country. He would go on to be a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning the AP Rookie of the Year honor, played seven seasons in the NFL, and is now the running back coach at his alma mater.
43. Best SEC football players of all time: Tyrann Mathieu, LSU football
Tyrann Mathieu’s college career may have ended on a sour note, as he was kicked off the LSU Tigers team due to disciplinary reasons, but he was an incredible player when he was eligible to play. Affectionately known as the “Honey Badger,” due to his prowess for getting turnovers, Mathieu was a ball-hawking safety for the Tigers for two seasons.
In fact, his 11 fumble recoveries are an SEC record, and he was so good at LSU that he was actually a finalist for the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore. Defensive players are nearly never a finalist for that prestigious trophy, which is an indicator of just how good this guy was at the collegiate level.
During the 2011 college football season, Mathieu was a key on an LSU team that would go on to win the SEC title. The SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year that season, he was a consensus All-American, while also taking home the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in college football.
The MVP of the SEC title game, Mathieu and the Tigers would lose to Alabama in the national title game, his final appearance for the LSU football program. His stint may have been short, but you cannot write the history of the SEC without the Honey Badger.
42. Best SEC football players of all time: Johnny Musso, Alabama football
Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, all Johnny Musso ever wanted to do was play football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He idolized guys like Joe Namath and Lee Roy Jordan, and when he finally got his chance to play at his dream school, he did not let the opportunity pass him by.
Musso would go on to be one of the more dominant running backs the school had ever seen, a bruising back who could run around you, or through you. An excellent blocker as well, Musso was a star for head coach Bear Bryant, earning All-American status during the 1971 college football season.
A two-time All-SEC player, Musso was affectionately known as the “Italian Stallion,” and he absolutely chewed up yardage for the Crimson Tide. He was a big effort guy, and became a star, having some huge moments, like his 221-yard effort against the hated Auburn Tigers during the 1970 campaign.
Musso was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, and despite being a third-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1972, he decided to play in Canada, where he was an All-Star in 1973.
41. Best SEC football players of all time: DeVonta Smith, Alabama football
Very few players can say they had the kind of season that DeVonta Smith had during the COVID-ridden 2020 college football season. Coming off a season that saw him earn All-SEC honors, Smith was supposed to be the No. 2 option at wideout behind Jaylen Waddle, but an injury to Waddle early cleared the way for one of the more impressive seasons of any wideout in SEC history.
If there was an award to be won, and one he was eligible to receive in 2020, then Smith brought that hardware home. He had an unprecedented run, hauling in the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Biletnikoff Award, and the Paul Hornung Award. Also, he won the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award of them all.
By winning the Heisman, Smith was the first wide receiver to take home the award since 1991, the year that Michigan star Desmond Howard won it. The fourth wideout in history to win the Heisman, Smith capped off his career with a monster showing in the CFP National Championship Game, hauling in 12 passes for over 200 yards in a little over a half of play.
His effort gave him one final award, as he was named the Offensive MVP of the national title game, helping Alabama to a blowout victory over Ohio State. A presumed top-5 pick this April, Smith finished his last two seasons with over 3,000 yards and 37 touchdowns, becoming one of the best wideouts this conference has ever seen.
40. Best SEC football players of all time: Bob Gain, Kentucky football
Back in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the University of Kentucky had a do-everything player along their offensive and defensive lines. Bob Gain was a standout player for the Wildcats, playing both sides of the ball, and even served as the team’s placekicker.
The first SEC player to ever win the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman in college football, Gain was an All-American in both 1949 and 1950, being named a consensus All-American his final season. The captain of an SEC-winning Wildcats squad, he is considered one of the best players in Kentucky football history.
Playing for head coach Bear Bryant, Gain helped the Wildcats to their first three bowl games, while being named All-SEC three times. A legend for the Wildcats, Gain has his jersey retired by the program, and in 1980, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Gain was a first-round selection of the Green Bay Packers, deciding instead to play in the CFL for a season. Once in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, he was a five-time Pro Bowler, and won three NFL Championships, capping an unbelievable playing career.
39. Best SEC football players of all time: George Rogers, South Carolina football
George Rogers landed with the University of South Carolina based on the fact that he would be allowed to play right away. Once inserted into the starting lineup, Rogers proved to be one of the better running backs in the history of the SEC, rushing for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons.
After rushing for 1,000 yards as a freshman, Rogers ran for nearly 1,700 as a junior, finishing seventh in the Heisman Trophy balloting. The following season, Rogers would stand at the top of the Heisman voting, taking home the 1980 honor after rushing for nearly 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior for the Gamecocks.
In fact, he beat out Georgia legend Herschel Walker for the 1980 Heisman, but we will touch on him later in this ranking. All told, Rogers still holds the South Carolina record for rushing yards with over 5,200, and he finished his career by rushing for over 100 yards in his final 22 games, an impressive feat nonetheless.
A first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1981, Rogers led the NFL in rushing as a rookie, taking home the NFL’s Rookie of the Year honor. He played seven seasons in the NFL, but it is what he did at South Carolina that lands him here, and he even has a statue and road named after him to prove it.
38. Best SEC football players of all time: Steve DeLong, Tennessee football
A defensive tackle for the Tennessee Volunteers in the mid-1960s, Steve DeLong would start a legacy at the school that saw his brother and son both become captains of the program. A tough-as-nails player during his college days, DeLong was named the SEC’s best defensive lineman three times by the coaches, a testament to what he brought to the table every game.
Though he played on some bad teams, and for three different head coaches, it never minimized the impact he had on the field. A two-time All-SEC player, as well as All-American, DeLong terrorized opponents, playing so well that he actually finished eighth in the Heisman voting after his senior season.
The SEC’s lineman of the Year as a senior, DeLong won the 1964 Outland Trophy and was the captain of the East team during the Senior Bowl. In that game, DeLong was named Most Valuable Player, a fitting end to what was a dominant career in college football. For his efforts, he was the No. 6 overall pick in both the NFL and AFL Drafts.
DeLong would go on to be inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, and was actually an AFL All-Star for the San Diego Chargers. He left a legacy at the school that is tough to match.
37. Best SEC football players of all time: Todd Gurley, Georgia football
The University of Georgia has become a factory for producing NFL running backs, churning out players seemingly every season who go on to play at the pro level. One of those products is Todd Gurley, who stepped in as a freshman for the Bulldogs and would go on to be one of the more productive backs in the school had ever seen.
There were plenty of highlight moments for Gurley, including his first game ever, when he rushed for over 100 yards against Buffalo while also returning a kick 100 yards for a score. He was amazing as a freshman, racking up nearly 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns, finishing only second to Johnny Manziel in the SEC in rushing.
As a sophomore, Gurley would follow up his All-SEC season by being named a second-team All-SEC back, setting the stage for what should have been a Heisman Trophy campaign as a junior. After dominating in the season opener against Clemson by racking up nearly 250 all-purpose yards, Gurley seemed destined to at least be a finalist for the award, but his season went sideways after a 208-yard effort against Tennessee, and a 163-yard showing against Vanderbilt.
Gurley was suspended after the Vanderbilt game, missing four games. In his return, he tore his ACL against Auburn. He finished with over 900 yards in only six games, choosing to leave for the NFL after the season. All told, he ended his career No. 2 in school history in yards and rushing touchdowns.
36. Best SEC football players of all time: Kevin Faulk, LSU football
A product of Lafayette (LA) High School where he was an All-American, Kevin Faulk arrived at LSU ready to take over as the feature back. A starter immediately with the Tigers, Faulk put together one of the more explosive careers of any running back ever to play SEC football.
As a sophomore, Faulk really burst onto the scene, rushing for nearly 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to being named an All-American. The following season, Faulk found the end zone 15 times, again eclipsing the 1,000-yard barrier. He wrapped up his career by rushing for nearly 1,300 yards once again, cementing his place in SEC football history.
All told, Faulk finished his career behind only Herschel Walker in terms of rushing yards, and first in SEC history in both all-purpose yards and touchdowns. He is still LSU’s all-time leading rusher to this date, currently serving on staff for the Tigers as their running back coach.
He could do it all, named the SEC Freshman of the Year, a three-time All-SEC player, and would end up being drafted in the second round by the New England Patriots. With the Pats, Faulk was a cog in three Super Bowl-winning teams, finishing his career No. 1 in franchise history in all-purpose yards.
35. Best SEC football players of all time: Eric Berry, Tennessee football
When it comes to elite athletes to play in the SEC, you cannot put together a list of the best without former Tennessee star Eric Berry. A dynamic player in the Volunteers’ defensive backfield, Berry was an absolute ballhawk, becoming one of the more feared safeties the conference has ever produced.
Berry arrived in style in Tennessee, taking over as a starter for a fifth-year player, and never looked back. The SEC’s Defensive Freshman of the Year and an All-SEC player in Year 1, Berry proved the party was just getting started, as he began to dominate on a national level as a sophomore for the Volunteers.
A team captain as only a sophomore, Berry was named to his first of two All-Americas, winning the Jack Tatum Award. He hauled in seven interceptions as a sophomore, becoming the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, and even got some work on offense, playing quarterback and wide receiver.
He would go on to be named a unanimous All-American for the second straight season as a junior, winning the Tatum Award again. He would also win the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football. He left after his junior season, becoming a top-5 pick of Kansas City, and could find himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day.
34. Best SEC football players of all time: Wilber Marshall, Florida football
Coming out of Astronaut (FL) High School, linebacker Wilber Marshall was considered one of the best players in the entire country. A Parade All-American, he decided to stay in-state with the Florida Gators and would go on to be one of the best players in the history of the program.
A starter at linebacker from 1980 through 1983, Marshall served as the heart and soul of some dominating Gators defenses, racking up nearly 350 tackles in his career. Of those tackles, almost 60 went for a loss, and he is also credited with 23 sacks across his four seasons in the middle of the Gators defense.
A three-time All-SEC player, Marshall was named a unanimous All-American in both 1982 and 1983, becoming a finalist for the Lombardi Award in each season. ABC Sports named him the 1983 Defensive Player of the Year, and he was eventually named the Gators Defensive Player of the Century and put into their Ring of Honor.
A first-round pick for the Chicago Bears, Marshall played a key role in arguably the best defense in NFL history, the 1985 Chicago Bears. He won two Super Bowls, one with Chicago, and another with Washington, and was a three-time All-Pro.
33. Best SEC football players of all time: Charles Alexander, LSU football
There have been plenty of historic running backs to come through the LSU football program, including Charles Alexander. Recruited by a legendary running back in Jerry Stovall, Alexander began his career as a backup, only to take over and become one of the more dominant backs the SEC has ever seen.
In 1977, Alexander finally got out of Terry Robiskie’s shadow and took over as the feature back for the Tigers. The SEC Player of the Year that season, Alexander rushed for a school record of 1,686 yards, a mark that stood nearly 40 years before Leonard Fournette broke it during the 2015 college football season.
All told, Alexander was twice named an All-American, twice named All-SEC, and had some incredible moments playing for the Tigers. He rushed for nearly 250 yards and four touchdowns against Oregon in 1977 and twice finished in the top-10 in the Heisman Trophy voting, a testament to how good he was on a national level.
A first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1979, Alexander did have a tremendous NFL career but is still regarded as a legend at LSU. He was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, as the man affectionately known as “Alexander the Great” was just that.
32. Best SEC football players of all time: Doug Atkins, Tennessee football
The No. 32-ranked player on our list was not even recruited to play football, though it did not take long for the coaching staff at Tennessee to notice him on campus. Bob Neyland saw the 6-foot-8 Doug Atkins, a basketball recruit, and got him to come out for the football team, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Atkins would go on to have one of the more impressive collegiate and professional careers of any player to come out of the SEC and would finish his time at Tennessee with letters in football, basketball, and track. A menacing presence, Atkins could run like a deer, and that made him one of the tougher players in conference history to block.
He would go on to be named an All-American during the 1952 college football season and was key on a Tennessee team that won the 1951 national championship. Considered by many as the most dominant defensive player in SEC history, Atkins was a unanimous choice on the conference’s quarter-century team and was named the player of the quarter from 1950 through 1975.
A member of the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fames, Atkins was just as successful in the pro game, as it seemed success followed him everywhere he went. His No. 91 is retired by Tennessee, and his legacy still lives on.
31. Best SEC football players of all time: Shaun Alexander, Alabama football
Shaun Alexander played his high school football in the state of Kentucky, becoming an All-American running back, and was named Mr. Kentucky for his football prowess. A USA Today All-American, Alexander chose to go out of state to the University of Alabama, becoming a bright spot for a program that had been trending in the wrong direction.
He showed what he was capable of early on, rushing for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns in one game, the yardage being a school record. After a rough 1997 season, Alexander became one of the best running backs in the SEC, earning second-team all-conference honors and setting up what should have been a Heisman Trophy-winning senior year.
An ankle injury hampered him as a senior, but he was still dominant and was crucial to the Crimson Tide getting to the top of the SEC. His running style enabled Alabama to shock the Florida Gators, winning the SEC title, as he finished with 19 touchdowns on the season. Many believe he should have won the Heisman that season.
Still, Alexander is a huge part of the history of Alabama football, and his contributions went well beyond the four years he was at the school. He ended up having a very successful NFL career as well, being named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2005.
30. Best SEC football players of all time: David Pollack, Georgia football
David Pollack arrived at the University of Georgia as a local product, after playing his high school ball at Shiloh High School in the state of Georgia. From that point on, he would round into one of the greatest defensive players in SEC Football history, a truly legendary defensive end in every sense of the word.
In the history of the SEC, only one player had ever been named a first-team All-American three times, Georgia star Herschel Walker. However, that would all change once Pollack got rolling at the collegiate level, as he was named an All-American in 2002, 2003, and 2004, capping off one of the more impressive careers in conference history.
A two-time SEC Player of the Year, and three-time All-SEC honoree, Pollack was an absolute monster on the edge for the Bulldogs. He racked up 36 sacks in his career, a school record, and a total that stands as the third-best for a career in the history of the SEC. He won countless awards, including a 2004 season that saw him win the Outland, Lombardi, Lott, and the Ted Hendricks Award for the second time.
The MVP of the Outback Bowl to close out his career at Georgia, Pollack would be a first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, but broke his back in his second season and had to retire. Still, his career at Georgia is the stuff of legend, and it all started with an interception against South Carolina that made him a star.
29. Best SEC football players of all time: Jack Youngblood, Florida football
For Jack Youngblood, he was not expected to be much when he arrived at the University of Florida to play football. In fact, legend has it that he was not expected to play a single significant snap for the Gators, which seems absolutely silly now that his playing career is over.
From a small recruit to a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames, it was quite a ride for Youngblood, and it started at Florida. Youngblood was a three-year letter-winner for the Gators, starting as an offensive lineman, before heading to the defensive side of the ball and becoming a dominant defensive lineman.
As a sophomore, Youngblood played defensive end and tackle for Florida, while also serving as the team’s kicker. During the 1969 season, he burst onto the map with a five-sack effort against Florida State, and his 14 sacks in 1969 were a school record. The following season, he would be named an All-American and capped off his career by being named the Most Outstanding Player in the 1971 Senior Bowl.
Considered the best defensive lineman in Gators history, and a top-5 player ever, Youngblood was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams and put together a Hall of Fame career in the NFL as well. Not bad for someone who did not have any kind of expectations when he landed in Gainesville.
28. Best SEC football players of all time: Charley Trippi, Georgia football
Charley Trippi played his high school ball in Pennsylvania and was considered by many schools to be too small to play collegiate football. However, that certainly proved to be a false statement, as he had an incredible career as a do-everything player for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Trippi played for the Bulldogs from 1942 through 1946, having to stop his collegiate career due to World War II. He was a huge part of the 1942 team that would win a national title, playing alongside Heisman Trophy-winner Frank Sinkwich. Trippi would later be named the MVP of the Rose Bowl, though it would be ten years later in 1953.
During the 1945 and 1946 college football seasons, Trippi was named All-SEC, capping off his career by bringing home some serious hardware after the 1946 campaign. He won the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp, and finished second to Army’s Glenn Davis in the Heisman voting. That season, he rushed for 800 yards and threw for nearly 700 more.
After his career was over, the school immediately retired his No. 62 jersey, ensuring nobody would ever wear it again. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NFL as well, and incredibly, celebrated his 99th birthday in December, 2020.
27. Best SEC football players of all time: Patrick Willis, Ole Miss football
Only a three-star recruit coming out of high school, Patrick Williams arrived at Ole Miss with something to prove. Over the course of the next four college football seasons, he would do just that, becoming one of the more dominant linebackers in the storied history of SEC Football.
From 2003 through 2006, Willis patrolled the defense for the Rebels, becoming an honorable mention All-SEC player as a sophomore. The following year, he would average nearly 13 tackles per game, earning first-team All-SEC honors, and was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.
He would garner that honor again as a senior, though this time, he would be a unanimous selection as an All-American. It was his second All-American honor, and he also took home some big honors, including the Jack Lambert Award and the Dick Butkus Award, given to the best linebacker in the country.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Willis was a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers and was one of the best defensive players in the league before retiring at only 29 years old. He was a rare blend of size and speed, could hit like a truck, and certainly got the most of his talent.
26. Best SEC football players of all time: Mark Ingram, Alabama football
Long before he was a hype man for Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram was a Heisman Trophy-winning running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The son of a former NFL player, Ingram arrived with the Crimson Tide for the 2008 college football season, but would really make his impact the following season.
Ingram was a backup to Glen Coffee as a freshman, playing enough to earn SEC All-Freshman Team honors. In 2009 as the feature back he would have one of the better statistical seasons in conference history, passing Bobby Humphrey for the most rushing yards in a single-season all-time.
Also, Ingram would take home the sport’s top honor, winning the Heisman Trophy. Not only did he become the youngest player to win the Heisman, but he also became the first player since Tony Dorsett in 1976 to lead his team to a national title, and to win the Heisman Trophy in the same season.
A knee injury would hinder him as a junior, and he would leave school after the 2010 campaign, but still finished with over 3,200 yards and 42 touchdowns in only 24 starts. A first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints, Ingram is a three-time Pro Bowler at the NFL level.
25. Best SEC football players of all time: Eli Manning, Ole Miss football
It is never easy taking over for a legend, as we have seen players falter in that role time and time again. It is another story to have to walk in the footsteps of a legend, which is what Eli Manning chose to do when he decided to play his college football at Ole Miss, a place where his father, Archie, was a god.
For the younger Eli, he was also entering a conference in which his brother, Peyton, become arguably the best quarterback in the history of college football. Sure, there was a lot of pressure on him, but Eli is as cool as they come, and he not only succeeded, he became one of the best quarterbacks in SEC history.
As the quarterback of Ole Miss, Manning re-wrote the record books, leading them to one of their best seasons ever. He finished in the top-3 of the Heisman Trophy voting. Manning set or tied over 40 Ole Miss records, won the Maxwell Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and was named the SEC’s Player of the Year as a senior.
The first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Eli finished his career with over 10,000 passing yards, good for fifth in SEC history, and 81 touchdown passes, the third-best mark. He would go on to win two Super Bowls as the quarterback of the New York Giants, becoming a legend in both Mississippi and the Big Apple.
24. Best SEC football players of all time: Steve Spurrier, Flordia football
Long before he came to be known as the “Head Ball Coach,” Steve Spurrier was a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the Florida Gators. Spurrier landed in Florida from Science Hill (TN) High School, and after having to play on the freshman team in Year 1, he was given his opportunity as a sophomore.
He injured his knee in camp and had to split time with Tommy Shannon as a sophomore, but he eventually took over as the starter. He was as clutch as they come, known for his comeback victories as the signal-caller for the Gators, and was named the SEC Sophomore of the Year in 1964.
Across the 1965 and 1966 college football season, Spurrier became an absolute legend for the Gators, breaking nearly every Florida passing record, while becoming one of the more decorated players in SEC history. Spurrier was named an All-American in both 1965 and 1966, and in 1966, he won the Heisman Trophy, was named SEC Player of the Year, and also took home the Walter Camp.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Spurrier returned to the Gators, becoming one of the best head coaches in SEC history, leading them to a national title 30 years after winning the Heisman. He is immortalized in Florida, as a statue of him stands outside Ben Griffin Stadium, aka “The Swamp.”
23. Best SEC football players of all time: Champ Bailey, Georgia football
In the history of SEC Football, there are not many pure talents as that of Georgia standout Champ Bailey. A dominant figure on both sides of the ball, Bailey played for the Bulldogs from 1996 through the 1998 season before leaving for the NFL, where he would go on to be named to the Pro Bowl 12 times.
During his time with the school, Bailey was an absolute freak and is widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of college football. A playmaker on offense and defense, Bailey was named the winner of the Bronco Nagurski Award, given to the best defensive player in college football, in the same season that saw him rack up over 1,000 yards of offense.
That was the kind of player Bailey was, able to take over a game no matter where he was on the field. He could do it all, and in his 24 starts for Georgia, he had eight interceptions and over a pass defended per start. In 1998, Bailey was named an All-American and All-SEC player, while also being a star for the school’s track team.
Bailey would go on to leave after his junior season, landing with the Washington Football Team in the first round with the No. 7 overall selection. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Bailey is on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame this year, and will likely get in on the first ballot.
22. Best SEC football players of all time: Tommy Casanova, LSU football
Tommy Casanova was from the state of Louisiana, so it made sense that he would play his college ball for the LSU Tigers. A do-everything player for the LSU football program, Casanova was actually a running back as a freshman, but once he got promoted to the varsity as a sophomore, he made the move to cornerback.
To say that Casanova became a good college football player would be an understatement, as he ended up having a record-breaking career for the Tigers. He was the kind of player who could make an impact all over the field, and he made an impact immediately as a sophomore, being named an All-American in his first season on varsity.
A tremendous career ensued in which he was named an All-American three times, becoming the only LSU player who has ever accomplished that feat. He was also one of only six players in LSU football history to be named All-SEC three times, proving to be a turnover machine for the Tigers, and a cover boy for Sports Illustrated.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Casanova was once regarded as the best player in college football and would go on to be a second-round pick in the NFL. He went to three Pro Bowls at the professional level, but it was his work at LSU that lands him on our list, as he became a Louisiana legend as a star for the LSU Tigers.
21. Best SEC football players of all time: Darren McFadden, Arkansas football
There is no doubt that SEC Football has produced some of the more legendary running backs in the history of college football, as the elite conference has seen incredible talent tote the rock. There have been Heisman Trophy winners, All-Americans, and Hall of Fame players and our No. 21-ranked player was the most dominant back in his era while playing for Arkansas.
The most decorated player in Arkansas history, Darren McFadden was a freight train with a football in his hands for the Razorbacks, putting together one of the greatest careers of any player in SEC history. McFadden broke onto the scene by rushing for over 1,100 yards as a true freshman, scoring 11 times, and setting the stage for what would be one of the more dominant two-year stretches of any back the SEC has seen.
During the 2006 and 2007 college football seasons, McFadden was the elite back in the country, winning back-to-back Doak Walker Awards. A two-time SEC Player of the Year, he was named a consensus All-American in both seasons, a three-time All-SEC player, and finished as the runner-up for the Heisman in both years.
The winner of the Walter Camp in 2007, McFadden set the school’s single-season record for rushing yards and finished second behind only Herschel Walker in SEC history with 4,590 yards rushing. A product of Little Rock, Arkansas, McFadden became an absolute legend playing for his home school, and while he had a decent NFL career, he is an immortal when it comes to the Razorbacks.
20. Best SEC football players of all time: Joe Namath, Alabama football
You cannot write the history of football, whether it be college or professional, without talking about Joe “Willie” Namath. The funny part is, Namath nearly did not even play in the SEC, as he originally committed to Maryland, but did not have the grades to gain admission to the school back then.
Luckily for Bear Bryant and the Alabama football program, Namath suddenly became available and would head to the Crimson Tide to be their quarterback. Taking over during the 1962 college football season, Namath became a record-breaking quarterback for Bryant and this Alabama college football program, helping them to a national championship during the 1964 season.
Sure, there were some bumps in the road for Namath, who was suspended from the team at one point, but overall, Bryant called him the “greatest athlete he had ever coached.” Over his three-year career for the Crimson Tide, Namath threw for over 2,700 yards and 25 touchdowns, going 29-4 as the starter, and helping Alabama to three bowl games.
The Most Valuable Player of the Orange Bowl, his final game for the Crimson Tide, Namath led the school after re-writing the record book in terms of passing. A member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Namath would go on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the AFL Draft by the New York Jets and most famously beating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. For all the talk about him being “Broadway Joe,” it was at Alabama where the legend got started.
19. Best SEC football players of all time: Pat Sullivan, Auburn football
While Pat Sullivan may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Auburn Heisman Trophy winners, he should be, as he was the first to win the honor. A product of Birmingham, Alabama, Sullivan arrived at Auburn for the 1968 college football season, and after playing freshman ball, he would be elevated to the starting quarterback position by head coach Ralph Jordan for the 1969 campaign.
After taking over as the starter, Sullivan became one of the best overall players in all of college football, breaking numerous Auburn and NCAA records along the way. A 26-7 record as a starter shows just how impressive Sullivan was as the starting quarterback for the Tigers, and he got started in a hurry, passing for nearly 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season.
The following season, Sullivan led the NCAA in total offense and would cap off his career by winning the Heisman Trophy following the 1971 college football season. Throughout his run, the combination of he and Terry Beasley tormented the opposition, and both men have had their numbers retired by the school.
Sullivan not only was the first Heisman winner at Auburn, but he was a two-time All-American and was twice named the SEC’s Player of the Year. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Sullivan also took home the Walter Camp in 1971, and finished off his college career by being named the Most Valuable Player of the 1972 Senior Bowl.
18. Best SEC football players of all time: Derrick Henry, Alabama football
During his time at Yulee (FL) High School, Derrick Henry put the entire country on notice, breaking the all-time record in high school history for rushing yards. In total, Henry rushed for over 12,000 yards during his high school days, including over 4,000 as a senior, a season where he scored 55 touchdowns.
So when he got to Alabama, there was a lot of reason to be excited, and he quickly showed the kind of back he could be for the Crimson Tide. He rushed for nearly 400 yards in a part-time role as a true freshman and teamed with T.J. Yeldon as a sophomore to give Alabama a solid one-two punch in the backfield. That season, Henry finished with over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns despite sharing the load.
As a junior, Henry would become a legend at Alabama, putting together the most prolific season of any running back in SEC Football history. Henry set the SEC record for rushing yards in a season with 2,219 and broke Tim Tebow’s conference record by scoring 28 touchdowns. All of this led to him winning the Heisman Trophy over Christian McCaffrey and Deshaun Watson, becoming the second Alabama player to take home the prestigious award.
For the season, Henry not only took home the Heisman, but also the Doak Walker, Walter Camp, and Maxwell Awards. A punishing running back, he led the Crimson Tide to a national title, two SEC titles, and would eventually be a second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans. In 2020, he rushed for over 2,000 yards.
17. Best SEC football players of all time: Billy Cannon, LSU football
A product of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Billy Cannon made the right decision when he took his mother’s advice and attended LSU. Becoming an absolute legend during his time with the Tigers, Cannon had one of the more dominant careers in the history of SEC Football, becoming a key player for LSU on both sides of the ball.
Finally getting to play in 1957, after having to play freshman ball in 1956, Cannon quickly showed that he was going to be a special player for this program. Playing halfback, defensive back, and serving as the team’s punter, Cannon was someone that opposing teams needed to find before each play, no matter who had the ball.
In 1958, Cannon would be named an All-American for the first time, an honor he would repeat as a senior in 1959. That season, Cannon helped the Tigers to a national title, though they were not able to repeat the feat the following season despite a ton of talent coming back.
He finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting that season and was named All-SEC as well as the conference’s Player of the Year, setting the stage for what would be a magical final season with the Tigers. As a senior, Cannon did take home the coveted Heisman Trophy, and will forever be remembered by his punt return against Ole Miss on Halloween. A two-time All-American and All-SEC player, he had his No. 20 retired by the school and is still considered one of the greatest players in both LSU and SEC history.
16. Best SEC football players of all time: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M football
In the history of college football, there may not have been a player who captivated America quite like Johnny Manziel during his time at Texas A&M. After redshirting his first year on campus, Manziel tried for the starting quarterback spot, and not only did he get the job, he was a force of nature.
Stepping in as a redshirt freshman, Manziel put together one of the greatest seasons in SEC Football history. Racking up multiple 500-plus yard games, he broke Archie Manning’s single-game yards record, and then shattered his own record, as he took the college football world by storm.
Outside of statistics, Manziel also knew how to get it done in the clutch, and do it against the best of teams, going on the road and single-handedly beating then-No. 1 ranked Alabama. His magical season culminated with him becoming the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy, as he was also named SEC Freshman of the Year and won the Davey O’Brien Award.
He followed up his freshman season with a solid sophomore campaign, finishing in the top-5 in the Heisman Trophy balloting. From flashing his money sign to the fans, to putting up video game statistics between the white lines, nobody left a mark on college football the way Johnny Manziel did. Sure, he may have had some serious issues after leaving the Aggies, but for a brief moment in time, he was the best football player on the planet.
15. Best SEC football players of all time: Don Hutson, Alabama football
It has been almost 90 years since Don Hutson suited up for the Alabama Crimson Tide, but he left a legacy at the school that puts him our No. 15-ranked player in the history of SEC Football. In fact, you could say that Hutson revolutionized the game playing for Alabama, as he became a true wide receiver hauling in passes from Dixie Howell.
Hutson played for the Crimson Tide from 1932 through the 1934 college football season and proved to be a gifted athlete with an incredible burst. He would torment the opposition, who had no real answer for stopping him, and if the Heisman Trophy had been around back then, he would have been the favorite to win it.
During his time with the school, he played opposite Bear Bryant, who would go on to be the most legendary head coach in school history before Nick Saban’s arrival. For Hutson, he played a huge role in the Tide’s 1934 national championship, earning All-SEC honors, while being named a unanimous All-American.
Hutson capped off his collegiate career with a monster game in the 1935 Rose Bowl, hauling in six passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He would go on to play many years in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, winning a bunch of championships, and getting his No. 14 retired by the franchise. He was an unbelievable pro but was an all-time great when it comes to SEC Football.
14. Best SEC football players of all time: Derrick Thomas, Alabama football
Whether at the pro or college level, few players played with the kind of effort that former Alabama linebacker Derrick Thomas did. An elite player during his time at Alabama and in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, Thomas was a guy who had a knack for getting after the quarterback, and he did so at a record-breaking pace with the Crimson Tide.
Thomas came to Alabama and joined a team that was loaded with talent on the defensive side of the ball, as the team boasted the likes of Keith McCants and Cornelius Bennett. While Thomas played well with those players, it was not until Bennett left Alabama for the pros that he really saw his star shine the brightest.
In one of the more iconic seasons in college football history, Thomas racked up 27 sacks for the Crimson Tide defense, setting an NCAA record that still stands to this day. In fact, his 52 sacks for his career are still an NCAA record today, and those are two marks that are likely going to stand for a very long time.
During his record-breaking season, Thomas was named a unanimous All-American, All-SEC, and took home the Butkus Award, given to the best linebacker in college football. A first-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, Thomas became one of the best defensive players in NFL history, and it is a downright shame that he is not in the College Football Hall of Fame.
13. Best SEC football players of all time: Emmitt Smith, Florida football
Emmitt Smith was an absolute star during his high school days, being named a Parade All-American, and landing in-state with the University of Florida. Throughout his three-year career with the Gators, Smith became one of the greatest running backs in college football history, leaving a legacy that is going to be hard to match by any back who puts on a Florida uniform.
After cracking the starting lineup as a freshman, Smith never looked back, racking up 1,000 yards in only seven games, which was the fastest ever. He was named National Freshman of the Year for his efforts, and the following season, he would go on to nearly rush for 1,000 yards once again, despite a nagging knee injury early on.
His junior season would be his best, as he set the school’s single-season rushing record, which includes a single-game school record of 316 yards against New Mexico. A three-time first-team All-SEC running back, Smith would also be named a unanimous All-American, finishing his career as a Heisman finalist, and the Most Valuable Player in the SEC in 1989.
For all of his success at the collegiate level, Smith also found tremendous success at the NFL level, becoming the all-time leading rusher in NFL history. He won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, proving to be a durable back throughout his career, and was honored by being inducted in both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames.
12. Best SEC football players of all time: Joe Burrow, LSU football
After getting his degree at Ohio State, playing alongside some great talent in the quarterback room, Joe Burrow was ready for his chance to be a starting quarterback. He arrived at LSU before the 2018 college football season, earned the starting job, and played very well for a Tigers team that finished up as the No. 6 team in the country.
However, the following season, Burrow took the college football world by storm, putting together what many consider the greatest season of any quarterback in not only SEC history but in the history of college football. The Ohio native tossed five touchdowns in the Tigers season-opener and had the team playing elite football heading into a huge matchup against Alabama and fellow Heisman candidate Tua Tagovailoa.
Burrow led the Tigers to a shootout victory over Alabama, and when all was said and done, he led LSU to a spot in the College Football Playoff. His run through the CFP was the stuff of legend, as he tossed seven touchdowns against Oklahoma, scoring eight total and then had six total touchdowns, five through the air against a very tough Clemson team to win the national title. All told, he went 25-3 as the starter for the Tigers.
He set NCAA records with 60 touchdown passes and 5,671 yards, playing at a video game pace throughout the team’s 15-0 run. He completed better than 76 percent of his passes, dominated every week, and won pretty much every award imaginable that he was eligible for. His victory over Jalen Hurts was the largest margin in the history of the Heisman Trophy.
11. Best SEC football players of all time: Archie Manning, Ole Miss football
When it comes to the history of the SEC and especially the Ole Miss football program, you cannot write it without former Rebels quarterback, Archie Manning. In fact, Manning is the best player in the history of the Rebels program, taking over as the starter for three years at Ole Miss, and re-writing the record books.
It did not take him long to start to gain national attention, as Manning threw for over 400 yards against Alabama in the first nationally televised game he ever played in. That game, he threw for 432 yards, rushed for over 100 more, and set the stage for what would be a legendary career at the collegiate level.
Before all was said and done, Manning had put together so many classic moments and gaudy statistics, that he became the stuff of legend at the school. In 1969 he was not only named All-SEC, but he was named the conference’s Player of the Year and earned his first of two straight All-American honors.
Manning’s legacy did not end with his playing days, as his sons became legends in the SEC, and one even broke most of his records at Ole Miss. For Archie Manning, he was the victim of playing on some bad teams, whether it was in college or the pros, but his contributions to Ole Miss and SEC Football are second to none. The speed limit on campus is 18, a nod to his jersey number which is retired by the school.
10. Best SEC football players of all time: Frank Sinkwich, Georgia football
A product of Chaney (OH) High School, Frank Sinkwich arrived at the University of Georgia in the late 1930s. A dominating halfback for the Bulldogs, Sinkwich was a key for head coach Wally Butts’ offense, serving as not only the best ball-carrier on the team but also a guy who could get the job done in the passing game.
In his first full season as a starter for the Bulldogs, Sinkwich racked up over 1,100 rushing yards on the group, as he was named the SEC’s Back of the Year. A consensus All-American and All-SEC performer, Sinkwich set the foundation for Georgia’s 1942 team, a team that would go on to win a national championship.
Playing alongside another legend in Charley Trippi, Sinkwich was once again an All-SEC player, as well as an All-American, but he became a legend by winning the Heisman Trophy. A great passer who was also elusive with the football in his hands, Sinkwich capped off his career with a stellar performance in the 1942 Orange Bowl, a game that saw him rack up over 400 yards of total offense, and four touchdowns.
In total, Sinkwich threw for 30 touchdowns in his career and rushed for 30 touchdowns, a truly revolutionary player during his time at Georgia. He would go on to be the No.1 overall pick in the 1943 NFL Draft, and had a great career at the professional level, being a two-time All-Pro, as well as an NFL MVP. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
9. Best SEC football players of all time: Reggie White, Tennessee football
For legendary University of Tennessee sack master Reggie White, it took a bit before he became the player that he was when he left the school. After improving so much as a freshman that he won the school’s Andy Spiva Award, White became a menace as a sophomore, racking up eight sacks, and being named a Sophomore All-American.
Expecting big things as a junior, White was hampered by an ankle injury, but it did not stop him from getting to the quarterback seven times, including twice in the Peach Bowl to close out the year. While he did not live up to the preseason All-American hype, he certainly did the following season, which was a year for the ages as far as the SEC is concerned.
White racked up 100 tackles as a senior, including nine for a loss, while getting to the quarterback 15 times. He was named the SEC’s Player of the Year that season, was first-team All-SEC, and was named a unanimous selection as an All-American. He finished his career with the Volunteers with 32 sacks, a record that was broken only recently.
As a pro, the Minister of Defense was one of the all-time greats in NFL history, as he was the fourth over pick in the USFL in 1984, and after the league folded, he landed in Philadelphia. He became one of the greatest sack artists in NFL history, won a ring with the Green Bay Packers, and was immortalized at Tennessee by having his No. 92 retired posthumously.
8. Best SEC football players of all time: Cornelius Bennett, Alabama football
Cornelius Bennett was born in Birmingham, Alabama, so it is only fitting that he would become a legendary collegiate player playing for the University of Alabama. A dominant linebacker for the Crimson Tide, Bennett played for Alabama from 1983 through 1986, becoming one of the premier defenders in the history of SEC Football.
Bennett, known as “Biscuit,” actually played running back during his time at Ensley (AL) High School, but he would come to terrorize them once he arrived on campus at Alabama. Bennett was the second player in school history to be named a consensus All-American for three straight seasons, joining fellow linebacker Woodrow Lowe.
In 1986, Bennett really took home the hardware, as he not only was named the SEC’s Player of the Year, but he also became the first linebacker to win the Lombardi Award. Finishing seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting that season, Bennett left Alabama with 21.5 sacks, including ten that 1986 season to go along with six forced fumbles, a dominant season by any standard.
In one of the more iconic plays in Alabama history, Bennett’s sack on Notre Dame’s Steve Beuerlen is just known as “the sack,” and a painting of it is the first thing you see when entering the Paul W. Bryant Museum. All told, Bennett is easily one of the greatest players in Alabama history, is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and a member of Alabama’s All-Century team. Not bad for a running back from Birmingham.
7. Best SEC football players of all time: Peyton Manning, Tennessee football
When it comes to quarterbacks, Peyton Manning is widely regarded as one of the best in the history of not only college football, but also the NFL. An offspring of an SEC legend in Archie Manning, and the brother of another legend in Eli Manning, Peyton is the highest-ranked Manning on our list, and for good reason.
A four-year starter for the Tennessee Volunteers, Manning spurned his father’s alma mater, Ole Miss, a move that certainly brought some harsh words for Peyton and the family in general. After finally getting on the field for the Volunteers, Peyton never looked back and would finish his career as the fourth player in SEC history to throw for over 11,000 yards.
Interestingly enough, Manning took over for a baseball legend in Todd Helton, who was injured during Manning’s freshman year, opening the door for his own legend to begin. After three solid seasons for the Volunteers, Manning was expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but instead decided to return for another go-around, and possibly to win a national title and a Heisman Trophy.
Manning fell short of those goals, but it does not diminish what he did during his time on campus at Tennessee. He is an all-time great, had his No. 16 retired by the school, and finished his career by winning the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp, and being named a consensus All-American. He went 39-6 as the starter for the Vols, threw 89 touchdowns, and would go on to set 42 NCAA, SEC, or Tennessee records.
6. Best SEC football players of all time: Cam Newton, Auburn football
While Cam Newton may have only played only one meaningful season in the SEC, he did come away with two national titles with two different SEC teams. In his second season with the Gators program, Newton was a part of Florida’s 2008 national championship team, though he only completed one pass, and ended up getting in trouble at the school, leading to him playing at Blinn College.
However, he would make a miraculous return to SEC Football, joining the Auburn Tigers for the 2010 college football season, and putting together one of the greatest seasons in SEC and NCAA history. In his first game as the starting quarterback for Auburn, Newton put himself right on the map, passing for 186 yards, rushing for 171 yards, and racking up five touchdowns.
Later on, in the season, the dynamic playmaker set the SEC rushing record for a quarterback against LSU, becoming only the second SEC quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards. Later on, he became the first quarterback in conference history to throw for 2,000 yards, and rush for 1,000 yards, beating any team that came in his way. In an incredible Iron Bowl matchup with Alabama, he erased a 24-0 deficit, scored four touchdowns, and beat Alabama by the score of 28-27.
Newton would go on to be the Most Valuable Player of the SEC Championship Game, collecting six touchdowns, before leading his team to a BCS national title game win over the Oregon Ducks. For his efforts, he became the third Auburn Tiger to win the Heisman, as he was named AP Player of the Year, won nearly every award imaginable, and would go on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
5. Best SEC football players of all time: John Hannah, Alabama football
The Alabama Crimson Tide are well-represented on this ranking of the top-50 players in SEC history, and for good reason. They have produced elite talent in every decade, and back in the 1970s, John Hannah became not only a legendary player but the best lineman that head coach Bear Bryant had ever coached.
Playing both guard and tackle for the Crimson Tide, Hannah was a standout player from 1970 through 1972, a player who appeared born to play up front along the offensive line. A consensus All-American in 1972, and a two-time All-American overall, Hannah played with a high motor and was known for how hard he practiced to become one of the best ever.
Not only did he play football at Alabama, but he also wrestled, threw the shot put, and the discus, showing the kind of all-around athlete he was. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Hannah also won the Jacobs Award at Alabama, given to the best lineman in the SEC, and is a member of Alabama’s All-Century team.
After leaving Alabama for the pros, Hannah continued to dominate the opposition, and some believe he’s the single best offensive lineman in the history of the game of football. The fourth overall pick in 1973, he would go on to be named to nine Pro Bowls, was an All-Pro ten times, and is a member of the NFL’s decade teams for the 1970s and 1980s. His number is retired by the New England Patriots.
4. Best SEC football players of all time: Lee Roy Jordan, Alabama football
Despite his relatively small size, Lee Roy Jordan was an incredibly talented player on both sides of the ball for the Alabama Crimson Tide during his collegiate career. Playing both center on offense and linebacker on defense, Jordan was a guy that head coach Bear Bryant said, “never had a bad day,” and based on his career at Alabama, he would have to be right.
Jordan burst onto the scene as the MVP of the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1960 as a sophomore, but it would be his work in 1961 and 1962 that lands him as the fourth-best player in SEC Football history. He was a second-team All-American in 1961, helping the Crimson Tide to an 11-0 record, an SEC title, and a national championship.
They fell short of repeating in 1962, but Jordan dominated the college football landscape, as he was named a consensus All-American, and first-team All-SEC. In his last game, an Orange Bowl matchup against Oklahoma, Jordan had 31 tackles in front of President Kennedy and was named the Most Valuable Player, his second such honor in a bowl game.
A member of the Alabama Sports and College Football Hall of Fames, Jordan lost only two games during his collegiate career, an impressive statistic no matter what era you play in. A first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1963, Jordan went to five Pro Bowls in a 14-year NFL career, while also being a member of the Cowboys’ SBVI-winning squad. He is one of the best overall players in SEC history.
3. Best SEC football players of all time: Bo Jackson, Auburn football
When you think about college football, college baseball, the NFL, and the MLB, only one man has dominated all four. That man is Vincent Jackson, better known as “Bo,” a guy who was drafted in the second round by the New York Yankees out of high school, but came to Auburn because he promised his mom he would be the first to graduate from college.
Luckily for the Auburn Tigers, he kept his promise to his mother, as he became not only one of the best running backs in SEC and NCAA history but also arguably the greatest athlete in the history of sports. Jackson did it all as a member of the Tigers football program, rushing for nearly 900 yards as a true freshman, which was a sample of what was to come in his illustrious career.
A three-time All-SEC selection, as well as a two-time All-American, Jackson finished his career with over 4,300 rushing yards and averaged better than 6.5 yards per carry. As a senior, he had the best season in conference history in terms of rushing yards, racking up 1,786 on the ground, en route to winning the Heisman Trophy in the smallest margin of victory over Iowa quarterback Chuck Long.
He was the second member of the Auburn Tigers program to win a Heisman Trophy and is one of only three to have his jersey number retired. Whether it was around, or through the defender, Bo Jackson was a monster with a football in his hands, and there will likely never be another player like him in any sport ever again.
2. Best SEC football players of all time: Tim Tebow, Georgia football
One player who stands out when you think about the history of college football, whether it is in the SEC or any other conference, is former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. This is a guy who was born to play college football, as he had a perfect skill set to run Urban Meyer’s offense, and he would go on to be the most efficient signal-caller in NCAA history.
As a freshman, Tebow was a backup quarterback, but the Gators did have some packages for him, and he did play a role in them winning the national title in 2006. After his time as a backup was over, he took over the starting job in 2007, and all he did was become the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy, capping off a year that saw him win nearly every award he was eligible for.
The following season, Tebow did not repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner, though he was a finalist. He did get his team back to the mountain top, winning another BCS national championship. He was a player who could get the job done with his arm, and his legs, as was evident by him throwing 32 touchdowns and rushing for 23 more during his Heisman Trophy-winning 2007 season.
Tebow finished his career in Florida by going 13-1 in 2009, cementing his place as arguably the greatest quarterback in NCAA history. He won two titles, was SEC Player of the Year twice, won two Maxwell Awards, a Heisman, and led his team to two SEC titles. Also, he was twice named an All-American, twice a finalist for the Heisman, and finished his career with 9,000 yards passing and nearly 3,000 yards rushing to go along with 5 NCAA records, 14 SEC records, and 28 Florida records. He was inducted into Florida’s Ring of Honor in 2018.
1. Best SEC football players of all time: Herschel Walker, Georgia football
When it comes to college football and the illustrious history of the sport, one man is widely considered the best to ever do it. That man just happened to play in the SEC, so when creating our list of the top-50 players in the history of SEC Football, we started with No. 1, Herschel Walker, and worked out way down to No. 50.
A product of Johnson County (GA) High School, Walker arrived with the Bulldogs and got right to work, becoming the first true freshman to be named an All-American. In his first season on campus, he led Georgia to a national title, setting the stage for what would turn out to be the most dominant career the SEC, and possibly the NCAA had ever seen.
A three-time SEC Player of the Year, Walker racked up over 5,200 rushing yards during his three seasons with the Bulldogs and was a Heisman finalist every year, the only player in college football history to accomplish that at the time. He won the Heisman in 1982, capping off a career that saw him also take home the Maxwell and Walter Camp Award in his final season at Georgia.
Walker was a three-time All-American for the Bulldogs, racked up 76 touchdowns in his career, and was rightfully inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His No. 34 was also retired by the school, and while he did not have the success most expected from him at the professional level, he is the unquestioned best player in the history of SEC Football, and rightfully takes his spot atop our list.