JonCJG
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,175
- Reaction score
- 162
http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/9543150
Quarterback
Matt Leinart, USC: An easy choice, especially since all he did was throw for 10,693 yards and 99 touchdowns, win two national titles (2003 and '04) and a Heisman ('04) and lead USC to a 37-2 record as a starter, the second-best career mark in NCAA history.
Running backs
Reggie Bush, USC: Some people consider Bush the most exciting player in college history. He racked up 6,617 career all-purpose yards, averaging an astonishing 10.4 yards every time he touched the ball. He finished with 3,169 career yards rushing (7.3 avg) and 42 touchdowns. Oh yeah, he also won the Heisman in '05 after rushing for 1,740 yards (8.7 avg.) with 16 TDs.
LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU: Before he started running wild with the Chargers, Tomlinson was an excellent college player. In his final two years of college, he rushed for a combined 4,008 yards, including 2,158 yards as a senior. He also scored 54 career touchdowns and earned the Doak Walker Award in 2000.
Wide receivers
Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh: He only played two seasons at Pitt, but what a career. He caught 161 passes for 2,677 yards and 34 TDs in just 26 games. In '03, he had one of the best seasons ever by a wide receiver, catching 87 passes for 1,595 yards and 22 TDs. He still holds the NCAA record with at least one touchdown reception in 18 straight games.
Mike Williams, USC: He only played two seasons (2002-03) and if not for Fitzgerald, would have been the best receiver. He racked up 176 catches for 2,579 yards and 27 TDs. During his sophomore season he recorded 95 receptions with 17 TDs.
Tight end
Kellen Winslow, Miami (Fla.): Mr. "Talking about the U" was basically uncoverable at Miami. As a two-year starter, he caught 119 passes for 1,365 yards (11.5 avg) and nine TDs. He had many memorable catches, but none was better than his diving grab over two defenders on a fourth-down play to set up a game-winning field goal to beat West Virginia.
Offensive line
Shawn Andrews, Arkansas: He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award in 2003.
Jammal Brown, Oklahoma: Brown allowed only one sack in two seasons and earned the Outland Trophy in 2004.
Robert Gallery, Iowa: Gallery didn't allow a sack during his college career. He also won the Outland Trophy in 2003.
Bryant McKinnie, Miami (Fla.): He won the Outland Trophy (2001), but the more impressive feat is he finished eighth in the Heisman voting that year.
Jake Grove, Virginia Tech: He was a unanimous All-American his senior year and won the Dave Rimington Trophy.
Defensive line
Dwight Freeney, Syracuse: Before dominating offensive tackles in the NFL, he abused Big East opponents. Freeney recorded 30.5 sacks from 2000-01, leading the nation with 17.5 sacks in 2001. He earned first-team All-Big East twice and was a finalist for the Lombardi, Bednarik and Nagurski awards.
Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College: Ended his career with 245 career tackles and a school-record 37.5 sacks. He led the Big East in 2002 and '03 in sacks and was named conference defensive player of the year in '04.
Julius Peppers, North Carolina: He was only the second unanimous All-American in the school's history, following -- who else? -- Lawrence Taylor. The former basketball player won the Lombardi and Bednarik awards in '01 after recording 63 tackles with 9.5 sacks. In 2000, he led the nation with 15 sacks and 24 pressures.
Terrell Suggs, Arizona State: A two-time All-American ('01 and '02) shattered school, conference and NCAA season records with 24 sacks in '02. He ended his career with 44 sacks while winning the Nagurski and Lombardi in '02.
Linebackers
Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma: One of the main players who helped Oklahoma return to prominence and guided a defense that won the national title in 2000. He was a two-time All-American (2000-01) and won the Butkus Award in '01 with 117 tackles. In 2000, he was finalist for the Butkus while winning Big 12 defensive player of the year.
A.J. Hawk, Ohio State: For the past few seasons, Hawk was arguably the best linebacker in the game. He was a two-time All-American ('04 and '05), three-time All-Big Ten ('03, '04, and '05) and winner of the Lombardi Award last season. In three seasons, he recorded 368 tackles, including 141 in '04, the most since Chris Spielman had 156 in 1986.
Dan Morgan, Miami (Fla.): Only played one season in the decade, but it was one of the best seasons in college history. He was a consensus All-American, Big East defensive player of the year and became the first player in history to win the Butkus, Bednarik and Nagurski awards. He recorded an outlandish 532 tackles in four seasons.
Defensive backs
Quentin Jammer, Texas: The former safety moved to cornerback in 2000, where he became a star. He was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and a unanimous All-American in '01. He was also the first player in school history to be named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Terence Newman, Kansas State: Played every game in four seasons, but flourished in '01 and '02. He was an All-American in '02 as a defensive back. After being a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in '01, he won it in '02 with 54 tackles and five interceptions.
Ed Reed, Miami (Fla.): Easily the most feared player on the football field in the past five years. He was a two-time All-American (2000 and '01) and Thorpe Award finalist in '01. He also led the nation in interceptions that year with nine. He was so intimidating he convinced a teammate to give him the ball following a fumble, returning it 80 yards in a win over Boston College.
Roy Williams, Oklahoma: Like Reed, he could take over a game in a heartbeat (remember the leap over the line, forcing Chris Simms to throw an interception in '01?). He was a unanimous All-American in '01, a two-time All-Big 12 selection and winner of the Thorpe and Nagurski awards. He also holds the school record with 47 pass deflections.
Punter
Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor: The only active player on the team as he enters his senior season. He won the Ray Guy Award in '04 with an average of 46 yards per punt and also hit 26 of his 62 punts inside the 20-yard line. Last season, he ranked third in the nation with a 46.2-yard average.
Kicker
Mike Nugent, Ohio State: Whenever the Buckeyes needed a big kick, Nugent was the man. He was a three-time All-American and the 2004 Lou Groza Award winner. In four seasons, he connected on 72-of-88 FG attempts and 140-of-143 extra points. He also hit 24 consecutive field goals (2001-02) and eight beyond 50 yards.
Returner
Antonio Perkins, Oklahoma: He was a good defensive back, but an excellent returner. In 47 career games, he set school career records with 113 punt returns for 1,441 yards (12.8 avg) and eight TDs. Nobody will ever forget his 277 punt-return yards against UCLA in '03, setting an NCAA Division I-A record.
Coach
Pete Carroll, USC: This really doesn't need any explanation, does it? Carroll is responsible for three of the best players of the decade and guided USC to national titles in '03 and '04, and a national-title game appearance in '05.
Quarterback
Matt Leinart, USC: An easy choice, especially since all he did was throw for 10,693 yards and 99 touchdowns, win two national titles (2003 and '04) and a Heisman ('04) and lead USC to a 37-2 record as a starter, the second-best career mark in NCAA history.
Running backs
Reggie Bush, USC: Some people consider Bush the most exciting player in college history. He racked up 6,617 career all-purpose yards, averaging an astonishing 10.4 yards every time he touched the ball. He finished with 3,169 career yards rushing (7.3 avg) and 42 touchdowns. Oh yeah, he also won the Heisman in '05 after rushing for 1,740 yards (8.7 avg.) with 16 TDs.
LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU: Before he started running wild with the Chargers, Tomlinson was an excellent college player. In his final two years of college, he rushed for a combined 4,008 yards, including 2,158 yards as a senior. He also scored 54 career touchdowns and earned the Doak Walker Award in 2000.
Wide receivers
Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh: He only played two seasons at Pitt, but what a career. He caught 161 passes for 2,677 yards and 34 TDs in just 26 games. In '03, he had one of the best seasons ever by a wide receiver, catching 87 passes for 1,595 yards and 22 TDs. He still holds the NCAA record with at least one touchdown reception in 18 straight games.
Mike Williams, USC: He only played two seasons (2002-03) and if not for Fitzgerald, would have been the best receiver. He racked up 176 catches for 2,579 yards and 27 TDs. During his sophomore season he recorded 95 receptions with 17 TDs.
Tight end
Kellen Winslow, Miami (Fla.): Mr. "Talking about the U" was basically uncoverable at Miami. As a two-year starter, he caught 119 passes for 1,365 yards (11.5 avg) and nine TDs. He had many memorable catches, but none was better than his diving grab over two defenders on a fourth-down play to set up a game-winning field goal to beat West Virginia.
Offensive line
Shawn Andrews, Arkansas: He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award in 2003.
Jammal Brown, Oklahoma: Brown allowed only one sack in two seasons and earned the Outland Trophy in 2004.
Robert Gallery, Iowa: Gallery didn't allow a sack during his college career. He also won the Outland Trophy in 2003.
Bryant McKinnie, Miami (Fla.): He won the Outland Trophy (2001), but the more impressive feat is he finished eighth in the Heisman voting that year.
Jake Grove, Virginia Tech: He was a unanimous All-American his senior year and won the Dave Rimington Trophy.
Defensive line
Dwight Freeney, Syracuse: Before dominating offensive tackles in the NFL, he abused Big East opponents. Freeney recorded 30.5 sacks from 2000-01, leading the nation with 17.5 sacks in 2001. He earned first-team All-Big East twice and was a finalist for the Lombardi, Bednarik and Nagurski awards.
Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College: Ended his career with 245 career tackles and a school-record 37.5 sacks. He led the Big East in 2002 and '03 in sacks and was named conference defensive player of the year in '04.
Julius Peppers, North Carolina: He was only the second unanimous All-American in the school's history, following -- who else? -- Lawrence Taylor. The former basketball player won the Lombardi and Bednarik awards in '01 after recording 63 tackles with 9.5 sacks. In 2000, he led the nation with 15 sacks and 24 pressures.
Terrell Suggs, Arizona State: A two-time All-American ('01 and '02) shattered school, conference and NCAA season records with 24 sacks in '02. He ended his career with 44 sacks while winning the Nagurski and Lombardi in '02.
Linebackers
Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma: One of the main players who helped Oklahoma return to prominence and guided a defense that won the national title in 2000. He was a two-time All-American (2000-01) and won the Butkus Award in '01 with 117 tackles. In 2000, he was finalist for the Butkus while winning Big 12 defensive player of the year.
A.J. Hawk, Ohio State: For the past few seasons, Hawk was arguably the best linebacker in the game. He was a two-time All-American ('04 and '05), three-time All-Big Ten ('03, '04, and '05) and winner of the Lombardi Award last season. In three seasons, he recorded 368 tackles, including 141 in '04, the most since Chris Spielman had 156 in 1986.
Dan Morgan, Miami (Fla.): Only played one season in the decade, but it was one of the best seasons in college history. He was a consensus All-American, Big East defensive player of the year and became the first player in history to win the Butkus, Bednarik and Nagurski awards. He recorded an outlandish 532 tackles in four seasons.
Defensive backs
Quentin Jammer, Texas: The former safety moved to cornerback in 2000, where he became a star. He was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and a unanimous All-American in '01. He was also the first player in school history to be named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Terence Newman, Kansas State: Played every game in four seasons, but flourished in '01 and '02. He was an All-American in '02 as a defensive back. After being a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in '01, he won it in '02 with 54 tackles and five interceptions.
Ed Reed, Miami (Fla.): Easily the most feared player on the football field in the past five years. He was a two-time All-American (2000 and '01) and Thorpe Award finalist in '01. He also led the nation in interceptions that year with nine. He was so intimidating he convinced a teammate to give him the ball following a fumble, returning it 80 yards in a win over Boston College.
Roy Williams, Oklahoma: Like Reed, he could take over a game in a heartbeat (remember the leap over the line, forcing Chris Simms to throw an interception in '01?). He was a unanimous All-American in '01, a two-time All-Big 12 selection and winner of the Thorpe and Nagurski awards. He also holds the school record with 47 pass deflections.
Punter
Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor: The only active player on the team as he enters his senior season. He won the Ray Guy Award in '04 with an average of 46 yards per punt and also hit 26 of his 62 punts inside the 20-yard line. Last season, he ranked third in the nation with a 46.2-yard average.
Kicker
Mike Nugent, Ohio State: Whenever the Buckeyes needed a big kick, Nugent was the man. He was a three-time All-American and the 2004 Lou Groza Award winner. In four seasons, he connected on 72-of-88 FG attempts and 140-of-143 extra points. He also hit 24 consecutive field goals (2001-02) and eight beyond 50 yards.
Returner
Antonio Perkins, Oklahoma: He was a good defensive back, but an excellent returner. In 47 career games, he set school career records with 113 punt returns for 1,441 yards (12.8 avg) and eight TDs. Nobody will ever forget his 277 punt-return yards against UCLA in '03, setting an NCAA Division I-A record.
Coach
Pete Carroll, USC: This really doesn't need any explanation, does it? Carroll is responsible for three of the best players of the decade and guided USC to national titles in '03 and '04, and a national-title game appearance in '05.
