SEC Football history: 50 best players of all time

19. Best SEC football players of all time: Pat Sullivan, Auburn football

While Pat Sullivan may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Auburn Heisman Trophy winners, he should be, as he was the first to win the honor. A product of Birmingham, Alabama, Sullivan arrived at Auburn for the 1968 college football season, and after playing freshman ball, he would be elevated to the starting quarterback position by head coach Ralph Jordan for the 1969 campaign.

After taking over as the starter, Sullivan became one of the best overall players in all of college football, breaking numerous Auburn and NCAA records along the way. A 26-7 record as a starter shows just how impressive Sullivan was as the starting quarterback for the Tigers, and he got started in a hurry, passing for nearly 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season.

The following season, Sullivan led the NCAA in total offense and would cap off his career by winning the Heisman Trophy following the 1971 college football season. Throughout his run, the combination of he and Terry Beasley tormented the opposition, and both men have had their numbers retired by the school.

Sullivan not only was the first Heisman winner at Auburn, but he was a two-time All-American and was twice named the SEC’s Player of the Year. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Sullivan also took home the Walter Camp in 1971, and finished off his college career by being named the Most Valuable Player of the 1972 Senior Bowl.