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Big Ten Football: Ranking the 30 best players of all time

By Quinn Douglas

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes up field during the third quarter past defensive lineman Cedrick Lattimore #95 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes up field during the third quarter past defensive lineman Cedrick Lattimore #95 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Alex Karras Career Statistics, 1954-1957

  • Notable: 1957 Outland Trophy, 1957 Heisman Trophy runner-up, First Team All-American, 1956 & 1957

Before he was a TV and movie star in shows such as Webster and movies such as Blazing Saddles, Alex Karras was a dominant defensive tackle at the University of Iowa. Karras arrived in Iowa City in 1954, but found himself at odds with coach Forest Evashevski right away. The two would continue to butt heads until Karras threw a shoe at Evashevski and quit following the 1955 season.

However, Karras would return and in 1956 had a breakout season, helping lead Iowa to their first ever Rose Bowl against Oregon State, where they won 35-19. He returned for his senior season and was by far the best defensive player in the country. Karras won the Outland Trophy and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, the highest finish ever for an interior lineman.

Following college Karras was drafted by the Detroit Lions and played his entire 12-year career in Detroit.

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