(2000-2008)
Top 20 Player of the Decade(2000-2008)
20.Danny Woodhead , Chadron St, RB
I am sure you are surprised, but this was the top NCAA Division II player the past 2 seasons. He won the Harlon Hill award, which is essentially the heisman for division 2 each of the last 2 seasons. Woodhead holds the NCAA records for yards rushing in a season and in a career. Woodhead had 7,441 yards on the ground, giving him an average of 190.8 yards per game, not to mention the fact about half of his games he went over 200 yards. Woodhead is second in all-purpose yards in a career, and tied for first in scoring. He has over 100 TD's in his career at Chadron State
19.Chris Long, DE, Virginia
I don't think people realize how good Chris Long is. Long is one of the great DE's in college football, and really was a force throughout his career. As a sophomore he burst on the scene with 46 tackles, then the past 2 seasons has been a star. A 2 time-all-acc performer, Long is one of the best pass rushers in recent memory. As a junior long had 5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, but as a Senior absolutely dominated. He had 14 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 79 tackles, and was named the ACC defensive player of the year. He finished the season as a finalist for the Lombardi, Lott, and Nagurski Trophy's, and won the Ted Hendricks award for best DE. Long even finished 10th in Heisman voting receiving a first place vote. He ended his career with 43 tackles for loss, 187 tackles, and 22 sacks, all great numbers. Long then went on to be drafted by the Rams #2.
18.Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Dorsey was the best interior lineman in this decade of college football. Dorsey is Warren Sapp type-player who was absolutely a game-changer at LSU even when he didn't make a play. A two time all-american, 2 time First-team All-SEC performer, and 1 time national champion Dorsey has it all. In his career he recorded 179 tackles which is a ton for a DT, and he had 133 the last 2 seasons. As a senior he may have been the best player in college football. Despite a serious knee injury that bothered Dorsey throughout the season he had 69 tackles 12.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 5 awards. He won the SEC defensive player of the year and became the first player to win all 4 of these awards: Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lott Trophy. Dorsey was a force in the line.
17. Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan
As an Ohio State fan Edwards brings back sad memories. Edwards is only the third receiver in the history of the NCAA to have over 1,000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons. He is a 3 time all-big ten honoree. Edwards holds the Big Ten record for TD's with 39, and holds Michigan school records with 252 catches and yards with 3,541. As a senior Edwards had one of the best seasons of any receiver. Edwards had 97 receptions, and 1,330 yards, both Michigan school records for a single-season. He ended up winning the Big Ten player of the year, Blitnekoff award for best receiver and Michigan won the big Ten.
16.Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa
Forget about the fact that Gallery has been a total and complete bust in the NFL. In college at Iowa Gallery was a beast. Better than Jake Long. I mean I remember he was a player who absolutely dominated the trenches. Gallery was twice a first team all-big-ten player, and as a senior was the outland trophy winner and a first-team all-american selection. After that he was the #2 pick in the NFL draft.
15. Cedric Benson, RB, Texas
Benson was one of the best college RB's I have seen personally. A great blend of power, strength, agility, and speed, the Texas RB was a sight to behold. Benson ran for over 1,000 yards and 12 TD's each season in college, including 21 as a Junior. His senior season was his best. He ran for 1834 yards, and 19 TD's while winning the Doak Walker award as the top RB. He ended his career only behind Ricky Williams in career yards rushing and was 6th on the all time list, with 5,540.
14. A.J. Hawk, ILB, Ohio State
AJ Hawk was one of the great LB's in Ohio State history. He ended his career ranked 5th on OSU tackle list with 382 tackles. Hawk absolutely flew all over the field all 4 years at OSU. He was just a playmaker, and rarely missed tackles, just ask Brady Quinn. As a senior he was dominant, winning Big Ten defensive player of the year, recording 109 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and he had a great bowl game with 2 sacks. Oh and he won the Lombardi award, as the nation's top college lineman or linebacker, not to mention he was a finalist for Walter Camp (player of the year), Bednarik (best defensive player), and Butkus (best linebacker) awards. Simply put he was one of the great LB's of the decade.
13.Michael Huff, FS, Texas
Huff was one of the great safeties to play college football. As a senior he made a play that allowed Texas to win the National title, stopping LenDale White, short of the first down on a 4th and 2. He was named defensive MVP of that game with 12 tackles, 1 TFL, and a fumble recovery. A 2-time all-Big-12 performer, Huff was a great player for Texas. He has 318 career tackles, and 26 career tackles for loss, as well as 5 TD's and 7 picks. His senior season was one of the best I have ever seen. H recorded 103 tackles, 10 Tackles for loss, and 14 pass breakups. He won the Thorpe award as the best defensive back, and was a first-team all-american. Huff is one of the great playmakers of this decade.
12. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Troy Smith is one of my favorite QB's ever. At OSU Smith was a winning machine, he went 26-3 as a starter at OSU, including going 3-0 against Michigan and absolutely eating them alive every time. He holds the record for career yards in the OSU Michigan series, and that record may stand for a while. As a sophomore Smith began starting and flashed his skills, but as a Junior was when he stepped up to stardom. He had 2,282 yards, and 16 TD's against only 4 picks, while running for 611 yards and 11 TD's. He really came into his own in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame, throwing for 342 yards, and playing like a star. As a senior he continued to dominate, throwing 30 TD's, and running for 1 while getting over 2,700 total yards, against only 6 picks. Smith won the Heisman, Walter Camp, and Davy O'Brien awards, and continued to be a big game QB until the debacle against Florida. Smith was one of the most explosive yet efficient QB's in this decade and will be forever known as one of the best to ever play at OSU.
11.Ken Dorsey, QB, Miami
Dorsey only played 3 seasons in this decade, but was one of the best players in this decade for a simple reason. He won games. Dorsey was 38-2 as the starter for Miami!! 38-2, and he won the 2001 national title, and lost to OSU in the 2002 classic of a game. Dorsey was a 3-time all Big East QB at Miami, and he was twice a Heisman finalist, yet never won the award. Two time Big East player of the year, and Maxwell award winner, was the face of the Miami program for a while, and is vastly underrated as a QB. He holds school records for passing yards with 9,563 and Passing TD's with 86, and he carried his team to a 34 game wining streak, if I am remembering correctly. Dorsey will forever be remembered as a winner.
10.Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State
Suggs was one of the best pass rushers in the history of college football. As a DE at Arizona State Suggs was a force to be reckoned with. Despite his small stature Suggs was unstoppable, using his great speed, and athleticism to beat offensive lineman routinely. As a junior Suggs had one of the great defensive seasons of any player, recording 24 sacks in a season!! He won the Ted Hendricks Award, Lombardi Award, and Bronko Nagurski Trophy all in 1 season. And it was not a one season thing. In his career at ASU Suggs recorded 163 tackles, 65.5 tackles for loss, 44 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 9 passes deflected all in 3 seasons, before he left early to the NFL. Suggs will go down among the greatest DE's in college football history.
9.Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Calvin Johnson is one of the greatest athlete's to ever play the game. Johnson burst on the scene as a frosh, with a solid season and he earned all-ACC honors. As a sophomore Johnson duplicated those honors and was named an all-american. His junior season was his best tallying 1,202 yards on 76 catches, and recording 16 TD's. Johnson was again an all-american, and won the Blitnekoff award, and was named ACC player of the year. In only 3 seasons Johnson set many records ending his career with Johnson has 178 receptions, 2,927 yards and 28 touchdowns, all in the top 2 in GT history. Johnson accomplished those numbers in 3 seasons and had a horrific QB with him. What made Johnson special is the Randy Moss like ability to make any play, and dominate games.
8.Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
I know this is high for Tebow, but I feel he had the greatest single-season of this decade. As a frosh Tebow was only used for specific packages, but he had 800 total yards and 8 TD's. This past season he broke out. Tebow had a huge season throwing for 3,286 yards 32 TD's and only 6 picks. He was among the nations best passers, but what put him over the top was the fact he had 895 yards rushing and 23 TD's giving him 55 TD's on the year more than 87 teams scored the entire season. Tebow became the first player in the 20/20 club(20 TD's rushing, 20 TD's passing) and became the first underclassmen to win the Heisman. He won numerous other awards including: Davey O'Brien Award, Maxwell Award, Associated Press SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year, and All-SEC First Team honors. Tebow will go down in history as one of the best to play the game, and may join Archie Griffin as the only 2 time heisman winners.
7.Jason White, QB, Oklahoma
Jason White was one of the great college QB's of this decade. White was not a starter until 2003, but he made the most of it. In his first season as a starter White threw for 40 TD's and only 8 picks while throwing for over 4,000 yards. White was Big 12 player of the year, and a first team all-american. He won the Heisman, and Davy O'Brien awards. His Sooners won the Big 12, but lost in the title to LSU. He returned after being granted a medical redshirt, and again had a big season. He threw for 3205 yards, 35 TD's and only 9 picks. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Maxwell Award, but only came 3rd in the Heisman voting, though he again won Big 12 player of the year. The Sooners, lost the national title for the second straight year. White ended his career with 81 TD's and only 18 picks, as well as 8,012 yards all school records.
6.Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Run DMC, one of the most explosive versatile players to ever play the game. McFadden took snaps as an RB, caught passes, played QB, and returned kicks. McFadden had a solid career from the start. He ran for at least 11 TD's and 1,000 yards in each of his 3 seasons, He was decent as a Frosh winning SEC offensive Freshman of the year award, but he broke out as a sophomore running for 1647 yards and 14 TD's while throwing for 3 TD's and receiving for 1 as well as taking a kick back for a TD. D-Mac had over 2,000 total yards and 19 TD's. He came second in the Heisman voting, and was an-all american, SEC player of the year, and carried Arkansas to the SEC West Title. The next season he almost duplicated all of those honors garnering nearly 2,500 total yards and 21 TD's, and winning McFadden was the coaches offensive player off the year, and won numerous awards as player of the year including doak walker, and Walter Camp awards. McFadden is second all-time in career rushing yards in the SEC, and has over 4500 yards rushing in his career. He has 51 TD's and is among the most explosive RB's ever to play the game.
5.Matt Leinart, QB, USC
Leinart, despite his struggles in the NFL has proven to be a top flight College football QB. In year 1 as a starter Leinart stunned many and carried USC to a split National title with LSU. He had 3,556 yards and 38 TDs with 9 picks, and he was named the Rose Bowl MVP. Year 2 was a good one for Leinart, he threw for 3322 yards, 33 TD's and only 6 picks, in carrying USC to the national title game. Leinart won the heisman trophy, Manning Award, and Unitas award that season, on one of the most dominant teams I have ever seen. The next season Leinart continued to play well carrying USC to the title game and becoming a Heisman finalist. He threw for 3815 yards, 28 TD's and only 6 picks on a team that was being called the best ever. Then despite a great game from Leinart the Trojans were upset in the national title. All in all Leinart ended his career with 10,693 yards and 99 touchdowns with just 23 interceptions and a 36-2 record as a starter for USC, showing why he is among the best QB's to ever play the game.
4.Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pitt
Fitzgerald is one of the best natural talents ever to play the game. A freak receiver with great speed, size, leaping ability, and soft hands he was the perfect WR. As a Frosh Fitz had 69 catches for 1005 yards and 12 TD's, and was 1st team all-big-east. The next year was a record one for Fitz. He had 92catches for 1672 yards and 22 TD's, while every team doubled and tripled him. He won the Walter Camp, and Blitnekoff award, and came a slim second for the Heisman. I am among the many that believe he should have won the award, but regardless he was dominant in his career. In 2 seasons Fitz had 161 catches for 2,677 yards and 34 touchdowns, all crazy for a career amazing for only 2 seasons. I firmly believe Fitz is the best WR to play college football in a long, long, time.
3.Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Peterson was absolutely dominant and should have won the heisman at least once if he stayed healthy. As a true Frosh, Peterson stayed healthy and went off, running for 1,925 yards and 15 TD's, in one of the great seasons ever, but he was robbed of the Heisman. The next year Peterson was nicked up with a high ankle sprain, and it cost him 4 games, and parts of others. Despite this he had 1,208 yards and fourteen touchdowns on 220 carries and was 1st team all-big-12 and was named to certain all-american teams. The next season Peterson was dominating running for 1012 yards and 12 TD's in only 7 games, but he then broke his collarbone. Regardless of these setbacks Peterson still had over 4,000 career rushing yards and 45 TD's. His rare blend of speed, size, power, and elusiveness made him one of the greats to play the game.
2.Reggie Bush, RB, USC
Reggie Bush was one of the most exciting players to ever set foot on a football field. As a true Freshman Bush was surprisingly good, amassing over 1,000 total yards, including 9 TD's. Bush was named by many as a sleeper for the Heisman the next season and he delivered. As a sophomore Bush had 900+ yards rushing and 6 TD's, 43 receptions for 509 yards and 7 scores, and including returns had over 2,000 total yards and 15 TD's. Bush was named the MVP of the team, and was an all-american. The following season is the only in this decade that even compares to Tim Tebows. Bush ran for 1840 yards and over 8 yards per carry with 16 touchdowns. He caught 40 passes for 480 yards and 2 TD's. And including returns he had nearly 3,000 yards and 19 TD's. Bush won the Heisman, Doak walker, and Walter Camp Award that season. He ended his career with 6,519 total yards 10th all-time, and 43 TD's in 3 seasons at USC. Numbers don't tell the whole story though, Bush won 2 national titles and every time he touched teh ball you were afraid, that is what made him special.
1. Vince Young, QB, Texas
Vince Young was the best player of this decade. As a frosh Young only played half the year yet had 1,155 yards passing and 6 TD's and 998 yards rushing and 11 TD's. He flashed the potential that made him among the best to play the game. His sophomore season was his breakout one. He carried Texas to an 11-1 season and a rose Bowl win. On the season he had 12 TD's against 11 picks and 1,849 yards, while running for 1,079 yards and 14 TD's. While this was a great season the next one was historic. Young led Texas to an undefeated season and a National Championship. He became the first player to throw for 3,000 yards and pass for 1,000 in a season. His season totals were 3,036 yards passing 26 TDS 10 picks, and 1,050 yards rushing and 12 TD's. He did not win the Heisman, but Young was Big 12 player of the year, All-American, Manning Award winner, and Heisman runner up. His championship game performance was spectacular, he had 467 total yards 3 TD's including a game winner on 4th down with 19 seconds left. Young ended his career as the greatest QB in my mind since Tommy Frazier. Young was 30-2, as a starter and he had 6,040 yards and 44 TD's passing, with 3,127 yards and 37 TDs rushing.
Just Missed
Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Carson Palmer, QB, USC
Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss
Eric Crouch, QB, Nebraska
Chris Perry, RB, Michigan
Larry Johnson, RB, PSU
Charles Rogers, WR, MSU
Mike Hass, WR, Oregon State
Michael Crabtree, WR, TTU
Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami
Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Greg Eslinger, OC, Minnesota
David Pollack, DE, Georgia
Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville
EJ Henderson, ILB, Maryland
Paul Posluszny, ILB, Penn State
James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss
Teddy Lehman, OLB, Oklahoma
Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn
Roy Wiliams, SS, Oklahoma
Terrence Newman, CB, Kansas State
Mike Nugent, K, Ohio State
Bar Refaeli
Damaris Lewis
Did You See That?
College Football Top 25 Review
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