College Football: The Mount Rushmore for the 30 best programs of all time
By Brad Weiss
Syracuse Orange: Floyd Little, Ernie Davis, Jim Brown, Don McPherson
The Syracuse football team has produced some of the best running backs in the history of college football, including three guys who make our Mount Rushmore for the school. As a program, Syracuse has won over 700 games, including a national title, while producing 20 All-Americans and five conference championships.
Floyd Little
Whether at the college, or pro level, Floyd Little was a dominating running back. At Syracuse, he was one of the best in the country. A three-time All-American, Little is the only running back in school history to be named an All-American that many times, which is impressive considering the backs who have gone through the school. Little finished fifth on the Heisman Trophy ballot at Syracuse. In three years, he rushed for over 2,600 yards.
Ernie Davis
Ernie Davis was one of the more devastating running backs we have ever seen, as “The Express” would go to win the only Heisman Trophy in the history of the school. The first African-American to win the award, Davis would go to help the Orange to the 1959 national title, before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in 1961. Tragically, Davis was diagnosed with leukemia and died at the age of 23.
Jim Brown
One of the greatest pure athletes of all time, Jim Brown was a dominant running back for Syracuse, earning All-American honors as a senior. Brown averaged over 6.0 yards per carry during his final season at school and finished fifth on the Heisman Trophy ballot. An incredible multi-sport athlete, Brown is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and is one of the true pioneers in sports.
Don McPherson
A gifted quarterback, Don McPherson may be the best signal-caller the Syracuse program has ever seen. McPherson was the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy ballot in 1987 but did manage to take home the Johnny Unitas Award. A member of Syracuse’s All-Century Team, McPherson had his No. 9 retired by the school, cementing his place in program history.