College Football: Who Wore It Best? Greatest College Football Players by Jersey Number, 51-75
Imagine this: You’re at a sports bar with friends when someone asks — who is the greatest college football player to ever wear No. 34? How do you choose between six Hall of Fame running backs, all of whom racked up over 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns during their college careers? This was the debate our team at FOX Sports faced when identifying the greatest college football players by jersey number. This list focuses on how players performed during their college years, considering prestigious accolades like the Heisman Trophy and All-American selections, as well as statistics and winning percentages. Let’s dive into the greatest players in college football history to wear Nos. 51-75.
No. 51: Pat Fitzgerald, LB, Northwestern
Fitzgerald made a name for himself at linebacker for Northwestern in the mid-1990s, helping lead the Wildcats to a combined 19-5 record during his junior and senior seasons. He wrapped up his career with 299 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and three interceptions, earning recognition as a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Fitzgerald was a two-time All-American and won both the Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice.
Honorable mentions: Jim Ritcher (NC State), Brandon Spikes (Florida)
No. 52: Ray Lewis, LB, Miami (Fla.)
Ray Lewis was known for being fast, physical, intelligent, and having an unmatched competitive spirit. These traits established him as one of the greatest linebackers in college football history. He was pivotal to one of the nation’s most feared defenses throughout the 1990s, earning All-American honors twice in his college career and finishing as the runner-up for the Butkus Award during his junior year with an impressive 160 tackles, ranking second in program history.
Honorable mentions: Harry Gilmer (Alabama)
No. 53: Randy Gradishar, LB, Ohio State
Another standout linebacker from Ohio State, Gradishar was a formidable presence on the Buckeyes’ defense in the early 1970s. He was recognized as a three-time All-Conference player and a two-time All-American. Upon leaving OSU after the 1973 season, he held the record for total tackles (320). His remarkable statistics were accompanied by a dominant 25-6-1 record during his three years at OSU.
Honorable mentions: Jerry Tubbs (Oklahoma), Clay Shiver (Florida State), Greg Jones (Michigan State)
No. 54: Bruce Smith, HB, Minnesota
Bruce Smith was the centerpiece for the back-to-back national champion Golden Gophers in 1940 and 1941 jili slot games. He was a standout rusher, earning All-Big Ten honors both years while also being named a consensus All-American in 1941 and securing the Heisman Trophy. Smith’s No. 54 was the first number officially retired by Minnesota in 1977.
Honorable mentions: Lee Roy Jordan (Alabama), Dwight Freeney (Syracuse)
No. 55: Derrick Thomas, LB, Alabama
Derrick Thomas had one of the greatest single seasons in college football history in 1988. That year, the Crimson Tide linebacker set an NCAA record with 27 sacks, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the Butkus Award. He concluded his career with a total of 58 sacks, marking an unofficial school record and solidifying his place as one of the most dominant defensive players in college football.
Honorable mentions: Junior Seau (USC), Marvin Jones (Florida State)
No. 56: LaMarr Woodley, OLB/DE, Michigan
Woodley emerged as a powerful edge rusher during his time at Michigan, racking up 24 sacks, including 12 during his senior year, leading the Big Ten and ranking eighth nationally. In 2006, Woodley was recognized as a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He finished with 147 total tackles and 47 tackles for loss, placing him among Michigan’s all-time greats.
Honorable mentions: Corey Moore (Virginia Tech), Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame), Michael Barrow (Miami)
No boss77 com. 57: Steve Kiner, LB, Tennessee
Though Kiner’s name isn’t commonly cited among the best college linebackers, it undoubtedly should be. A tackling machine for the Vols in the late 1960s, Kiner helped Tennessee secure an SEC title in 1967, contributing to a collective record of 26-6-1 during his tenure. He was honored as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1969 and was a two-time All-American.
Honorable mentions: Dwight Stephenson (Alabama)
No. 58: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
Maualuga was recognized as a top linebacker at USC from 2005-08, famed for his hard-hitting and aggressive playing style. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 250 pounds, he was ideally suited for a middle linebacker, consistently utilizing his size effectively. He finished with 273 tackles, nine sacks, and five interceptions, receiving All-Pac-10 honors three times and unanimous All-American status in 2008.
Honorable mentions: Peter Boulware (Florida State)
No. 59: Alex Agase, G, Illinois/Purdue
Agase had a distinctive and impactful college football playing career. Initially playing at Illinois, he received All-American recognition in 1942. He then served in the U.S. Military and played for Purdue, once again achieving All-American honors 777pub link. After returning to Illinois in 1946, he helped the Illini finish the season with an impressive 8-2 record, earning another All-American title and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football for being the MVP of the Big Ten Conference.
Honorable mentions: Gary Spani (Kansas State)
No. 60: Chuck Bednarik, C/LB, Penn
Few players in college football history matched Bednarik’s dominance on both offense and defense. Excelling as a center and linebacker during his time at Penn, he was a two-time consensus All-American in 1947 and 1948 and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1948. In his honor, the Bednarik Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football.
Honorable mentions: Tommy Nobis (Texas)
No. 61: Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota
Eslinger was one of the most formidable interior linemen in college football history, playing for Minnesota from 2002-05. He was a four-year starter and earned All-Big Ten recognition three times. His accolades include three All-American honors and winning the Jim Parker Trophy, Rimington Trophy, and Outland Trophy during his senior year.
Honorable mentions: Jim Lynch (Notre Dame), Joe Steffy (Army)
No. 62: Jim Parker, G, Ohio State
Parker shone as an offensive guard for the Buckeyes during the 1950s, also contributing on the defensive line. In his sophomore season, he played a vital role in leading Ohio State to a perfect 10-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll. Parker graduated as a two-time All-American and a two-time All-Conference player, also winning the Outland Trophy in 1954.
Honorable mentions: Terrence Cody (Alabama), Calvin Jones (Iowa)
No. 63: Mike Singletary, LB, Baylor
Known for his fierce competitive spirit, Singletary was a hard-hitting leader on the Baylor defense. He redefined school records, holding the record for most tackles in a season (232) and in a career (662). phdream 556 A two-time conference player of the year and a two-time All-American, Singletary’s impact on college football remains significant.
Honorable mentions: Justin Blalock (Texas)
No. 64: Bob Brown, G, Nebraska
Brown was a dominant force on the interior of the Huskers’ offensive line in the early 1960s, recognized as a two-time All-Big East performer and an All-American in 1963 after aiding Nebraska in achieving its first conference title since 1940.
Honorable mentions: Jim Lachey (Ohio State)
No. 65: Steve DeLong, DL, Tennessee
DeLong was celebrated as one of the top defensive linemen in college football during the 1960s, making his mark for the Vols from 1962-64. He was a two-time All-American and the winner of the 1964 Outland Trophy.
Honorable mentions: Greg Roberts (Oklahoma), Pat Elflein (Ohio State)
No. 66: George Gipp, RB, Notre Dame
Gipp made his mark at Notre Dame under the legendary Knute Rockne. Rockne infamously referenced Gipp in his halftimes speech during the 1928 Army game, promoting the lasting phrase “Win one for the Gipper.” Gipp led the Fighting Irish in both passing and rushing during his last three seasons, with a remarkable average of 8.1 yards per carry that still holds as a program record.
Honorable mentions: Granville Liggins (Oklahoma), Alan Faneca (LSU)
No. 67: Les Richter, G/LB, Cal
Richter was a two-way standout for the Cal Golden Bears in the early ’50s, noted for his tough play style. He garnered All-American honors in both 1951 and 1952 and was drafted as the No. 2 pick in the 1952 NFL Draft, signifying his elite status in college football.
Honorable mentions: Russell Maryland (Miami), Aaron Taylor (Nebraska)
No. 68: Mike Reid, DT, Penn State
Reid was a dominant defensive lineman during the late 1960s for the Nittany Lions. A two-time captain of the undefeated teams of 1968 and 1969, he became a unanimous All-American in his senior year, leading the Nittany Lions with 89 tackles and winning both the Outland Trophy and the Maxwell Award.
Honorable mentions: Tedy Bruschi (Arizona)
No. 69: Jordan Gross, OT, Utah
Gross had an impressive college career, where he didn’t allow a single sack in his final two seasons at Utah. He earned first-team All-Mountain West and was a consensus first-team All-American during his senior year, finishing as a finalist for the Outland Trophy.
Honorable mentions: Tom Brown (Minnesota)
No. 70: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
One of the best centers in recent memory, Kelly had a remarkable college career under Nick Saban at Alabama. A three-year starter from 2013-15, he achieved first-team All-American honors, winning the Rimington Trophy in 2015 while aiding the Crimson Tide on their journey to a national championship.
Honorable mentions: Bob Gain (Kentucky)
No. 71: Tony Boselli, OT, USC
Boselli is among the elite USC players on this list. A massive offensive tackle who started for the Trojans from 1991-94, he was a three-time All-Pac-10 selection and a two-time first-team All-American. Notably, he received the Morris Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the Pac-10 during his senior season.
Honorable mentions: Dean Steinkuhler (Nebraska), Merlin Olsen (Utah State)
No. 72: Bronko Nagurski, DT/FB, Minnesota
As the namesake of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football, it’s no surprise that Nagurski secured a spot on this list. Revered as a formidable two-way player, he starred as a defensive lineman and also played fullback. In 1929, he was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection and consensus All-American. jili slot free demo
Honorable mentions: Joe Thomas (Wisconsin), Bob Lilly (TCU), Glenn Dorsey (LSU)
No. 73: John Hannah, OG, Alabama
When legendary coach Bear Bryant calls you “the finest offensive lineman I have ever been around,” it solidifies your place on this list. Hannah was an outstanding offensive guard for Alabama from 1970-72, earning first-team All-American honors in both 1971 and 1972, while also participating in wrestling and track and field.
Honorable mentions: Mark May (Pitt)
No. 74: John Hicks, OT, Ohio State
Another standout offensive lineman from Ohio State, Hicks was a four-year starter for the Buckeyes from 1970-73. Even though he faced injury setbacks during the 1971 season, he helped guide OSU to a combined 28-3-1 record across three healthy seasons, contributing to three Big Ten championships and three Rose Bowl appearances. In his senior year, he was awarded the Outland and Lombardi Awards, finishing as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, marking history as the second offensive lineman to achieve this.
Honorable mentions: Tracy Rocker (Auburn), Michael Oher (Ole Miss)
No. 75: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State
Pace continues the trend of exceptional offensive tackles from Ohio State, solidifying his status as one of the greatest offensive linemen in college football history. Starting as a true freshman in 1994, he garnered two unanimous All-American honors and two Lombardi Award wins throughout his college journey. His incredible performance popularized the term “pancake block,” reflective of his dominant play.
Honorable mentions: Joe Greene (North Texas), Aaron Taylor (Notre Dame)
Did you enjoy reading about these legendary college football players and their remarkable achievements? What are your thoughts on who should have made the list?
