Building the Best College Football Team of All Time

Randy Moss had a circuitous path to Marshall, but when he arrived he put up record-setting numbers and jaw-dropping performances. He originally planned to attend Notre Dame but a legal entanglement denied his admission so he enrolled at Florida State but never played a game for the Seminoles after more legal trouble.

He arrived at Marshall in 1996 and set the Division I-AA record with 14 games with a touchdown, including 13 consecutive games with a score. His 27 touchdowns on the year tied the record held by Jerry Rice and his 1,709 yards on 78 receptions still stands as the most by a freshman in a season. Marshall went undefeated and won the Division I-AA title.

Marshall moved up to Division I-A the next year and Moss continued his domination of opposing defenses with a second All-American campaign and 26 receiving touchdowns. His 96 receptions were third in the nation and his 1,820 yards were the most as he would finish fourth in the Heisman to Charles Woodson, Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf.

His speed, leaping ability and length at 6-4 made him an impossible cover for defensive backs and that’s why Moss scored, at least, one touchdown in every college game he played for two years before he was the No. 21 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

Next: Jerry Rice