No. 15 is No. 1 all-time for the Gators according to Street & Smith's magazine. (File photo: Jason Parkhurst/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Street & Smith's 10 Best Gators of All-Time
Friday, August 9, 2019 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A glossy magazine arrived at the office this week that demanded to be flipped through with football season so close.
Published by Street & Smith's, the special commemorative issue is titled "The SEC's Greatest Players" and features four of the most dynamic college football players of all-time on the cover: Bo Jackson, Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow and Herschel Walker.
In recognition of the 150th anniversary of college football, Street & Smith's ranks the 10 best all-time players from each of the SEC's current 14 schools. Lists such as this have become a staple of the internet age, but fewer and fewer publishers are willing to commit such projects to ink and paper. They cost more money and are not as easily debated as on Twitter.
In any case, the issue is certain to cause some quarrels among readers even if they have to voice their discontent the old-fashioned way: via an email. In a letter from the editor the magazine acknowledges its selections won't go over well with everyone.
"We know that readers of this magazine and fans from each school are going to have their disagreements with some of our choices, but that's what makes projects like these and college sports fun,'' Scott Smith wrote. "So, let the debates begin."
Since there's no debating which school readers of this blog are most interested, I'm listing the 10 all-time greatest Gators in history according to Street & Smith's with a key comment on each player from the magazine.
Now that you can access the blog here on FloridaGators.com, I have created a Twitter poll/question to see how Gators fans rank Street & Smith's ranking.
Here goes:
1. Tim Tebow, quarterback (2006-09)
He was arguably the most popular player in Gators history, winning two national titles, a Heisman Trophy as a sophomore in 2007 and later a statue outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium alongside those of Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel.
2. Steve Spurrier, quarterback (1964-66)
A two-time All-American and 1966 Heisman Trophy winner, Spurrier revolutionized the Florida offense upon his arrival from Johnson City, Tenn., breaking every school passing record and many SEC marks.
3. Jack Youngblood, defensive end (1968-70)
Considered the best defensive lineman in school history, Youngblood set a school record with 14 sacks in 1969, highlighted by a five-sack performance against Florida State. In 1970, he stopped a Georgia running back on the 1-yard-line – forcing a fumble and recovering it as part of an All-America season.
4. Wilber Marshall, linebacker (1980-83)
Marshall was a two-time consensus All-American and the 1983 National Defensive Player of the Year. His signature moment came against the USC Trojans in 1982 when he recorded 14 tackles in four sacks in a 17-9 win.
5. Danny Wuerffel, quarterback (1993-96)
One of the rare players to win both a Heisman Trophy and national championship in the same season, Wuerffel is perhaps the most decorated player in Gators history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
6. Emmitt Smith, running back (1987-89)
In the third game of his career and first start, Smith rushed for 224 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-14 upset victory at Alabama and finished the season as the National Freshman of the year after rushing for 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns.
7. Percy Harvin, wide receiver (2006-08)
His electrifying speed was on display in Gainesville as a dual-threat, hybrid wide receiver/running back; he became the first player in school history to have 100 rushing and receiving yards in the same game.
8. Wes Chandler, wide receiver (1974-77)
Chandler led the Gators in receiving three straight seasons (1975-77) and, even after many years of pass-heavy Gators offenses, he still holds Florida's career record for average yards per catch (21.4).
9. Fred Taylor, running back (1994-97)
A linebacker, running back and track sprinter at Glades Central High in Belle Glade, he shared tailback duties on the Gators' 1996 national championship team with Terry Jackson and Elijah Williams before a breakout season in 1997 with eight 100-yard games.
10. Cris Collinsworth, wide receiver (1977-80)
Because of his height and deceptive speed, Collinsworth created mismatches against cornerbacks and over his last three seasons, he caught 120 passes for 1,937 yards and 14 touchdowns, receiving All-SEC honors each year.
Published by Street & Smith's, the special commemorative issue is titled "The SEC's Greatest Players" and features four of the most dynamic college football players of all-time on the cover: Bo Jackson, Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow and Herschel Walker.
In recognition of the 150th anniversary of college football, Street & Smith's ranks the 10 best all-time players from each of the SEC's current 14 schools. Lists such as this have become a staple of the internet age, but fewer and fewer publishers are willing to commit such projects to ink and paper. They cost more money and are not as easily debated as on Twitter.
In any case, the issue is certain to cause some quarrels among readers even if they have to voice their discontent the old-fashioned way: via an email. In a letter from the editor the magazine acknowledges its selections won't go over well with everyone.
"We know that readers of this magazine and fans from each school are going to have their disagreements with some of our choices, but that's what makes projects like these and college sports fun,'' Scott Smith wrote. "So, let the debates begin."
Since there's no debating which school readers of this blog are most interested, I'm listing the 10 all-time greatest Gators in history according to Street & Smith's with a key comment on each player from the magazine.
Now that you can access the blog here on FloridaGators.com, I have created a Twitter poll/question to see how Gators fans rank Street & Smith's ranking.
The @SSyearbooks crew ranked the 10 best all-time @GatorsFB players in history. Check it out and rank their rankings: https://t.co/oChWkLAxJQ
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) August 9, 2019
Here goes:
He was arguably the most popular player in Gators history, winning two national titles, a Heisman Trophy as a sophomore in 2007 and later a statue outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium alongside those of Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel.
2. Steve Spurrier, quarterback (1964-66)
A two-time All-American and 1966 Heisman Trophy winner, Spurrier revolutionized the Florida offense upon his arrival from Johnson City, Tenn., breaking every school passing record and many SEC marks.
3. Jack Youngblood, defensive end (1968-70)
Considered the best defensive lineman in school history, Youngblood set a school record with 14 sacks in 1969, highlighted by a five-sack performance against Florida State. In 1970, he stopped a Georgia running back on the 1-yard-line – forcing a fumble and recovering it as part of an All-America season.
4. Wilber Marshall, linebacker (1980-83)
Marshall was a two-time consensus All-American and the 1983 National Defensive Player of the Year. His signature moment came against the USC Trojans in 1982 when he recorded 14 tackles in four sacks in a 17-9 win.
5. Danny Wuerffel, quarterback (1993-96)
One of the rare players to win both a Heisman Trophy and national championship in the same season, Wuerffel is perhaps the most decorated player in Gators history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
6. Emmitt Smith, running back (1987-89)
In the third game of his career and first start, Smith rushed for 224 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-14 upset victory at Alabama and finished the season as the National Freshman of the year after rushing for 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns.
7. Percy Harvin, wide receiver (2006-08)
His electrifying speed was on display in Gainesville as a dual-threat, hybrid wide receiver/running back; he became the first player in school history to have 100 rushing and receiving yards in the same game.
8. Wes Chandler, wide receiver (1974-77)
Chandler led the Gators in receiving three straight seasons (1975-77) and, even after many years of pass-heavy Gators offenses, he still holds Florida's career record for average yards per catch (21.4).
9. Fred Taylor, running back (1994-97)
A linebacker, running back and track sprinter at Glades Central High in Belle Glade, he shared tailback duties on the Gators' 1996 national championship team with Terry Jackson and Elijah Williams before a breakout season in 1997 with eight 100-yard games.
10. Cris Collinsworth, wide receiver (1977-80)
Because of his height and deceptive speed, Collinsworth created mismatches against cornerbacks and over his last three seasons, he caught 120 passes for 1,937 yards and 14 touchdowns, receiving All-SEC honors each year.
Trent McKnight Media Availability 4-2-26
Thursday, April 02
Marcus Davis Media Availability 4-2-26
Thursday, April 02
Chris Collins Media Availability 4-2-26
Thursday, April 02
Jadan Baugh Media Availability 4-1-26
Wednesday, April 01
