SEC Football history: 50 best players of all time

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.”