Notre Dame Football: 10 best players in program history

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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Kurt Hinish #41 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish tackles Danny Etling #16 of the LSU Tigers in the first half of the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Ross Browner Career Statistics, 1973, 1975-77

Games Played: 46
Tackles: 340
PBU’s: 10
Fumble Recoveries: 12
Touchdowns: 1
Notables: 1976 & 1977 UPI Linemen of the Year, 1977 Maxwell Award, 1977 Lombardi Award, 1976 Outland Trophy, 1976 & 1977 Unanimous First Team All-American

One of the most decorated defensive lineman in college football history, Ross Browner was the anchor of the Notre Dame defense throughout the mid-1970’s. Browner recorded 340 career tackles, broke up ten passes, recovered 12 fumbles and added a defensive touchdown. Notre Dame compiled a 39-7 record during Browner’s four seasons.

Browner was an imposing figure in his day, standing at 6-foot-3, 216 lbs, he could single-handily take over battles in the trenches from his defensive end position. Browner was the only two-time recipient of the UPI Lineman of the Year and was the winner of the Maxwell and Lombardi Awards in 1977 and the Outland Trophy in 1976. He was also a unanimous First Team All-American in 1976 and 1977.

Browner would go on to have an eight-year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

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