Professional Soccer is a humorous enterprise. Whereas among the sport’s best gamers hail from massive, history-laden school applications, many have additionally come from faculties that you might have by no means heard of. It is the traditional instance of how it is best to by no means choose a e-book by its cowl.
In that vein, I made a decision to compile, then rank, every of school soccer’s Mount Rushmores based mostly on its most profitable NFL gamers. As you’d think about, among the faculties that made the lower are family names, however there are quite a lot of shock faculties that made the lower.
Under is the standards used when placing the rating collectively:
- Particular person profession data, achievements
- Inclusion within the Corridor of Fame/NFL 100 All-Time Crew
- Lasting affect on the sport
If a participant attended a number of faculties, they had been thought of solely on the college the place they made probably the most vital contribution. Troy Aikman, for instance, was solely thought of for his accomplishments at UCLA and never Oklahoma, the place his NCAA profession began. (Notice: The names listed beneath “honorable mentions” are Corridor of Fame inductees who did not make the lower on the crew’s Mount Rushmore.)
1. Pittsburgh
Mount Rushmore: QB Dan Marino, WR Larry Fitzgerald, DL Aaron Donald, RB Tony Dorsett
Honorable mentions: CB Darrelle Revis, TE Mike Ditka, OL Jimbo Covert, OL Russ Grimm, LB Ricky Jackson, RB Curtis Martin, LB Joe Schmidt, DL Chris Doleman
Marino and Donald had been slam-dunk decisions to make Pitt’s Mount Rushmore, with Fitzgerald being a reasonably straightforward alternative, too. It was a tricky name, nevertheless, when it got here to selecting the ultimate spot that got here right down to Ditka, Dorsett and Doleman.
All three gamers have compelling instances. Ditka was a record-setting tight finish who led the Bears to the 1963 NFL title. Doleman loved an unimaginable 15-year profession that included eight Professional Bowl nods, 150.5 sacks and a jaw-dropping 44 compelled fumbles.
Dorsett’s glowing profession, nevertheless, was unattainable to disregard. The primary participant to win a nationwide title, Heisman Trophy and Tremendous Bowl over a two-year span, Dorsett compiled a whopping 16,293 complete yards and 90 touchdowns throughout his Corridor of Fame profession. He endlessly etched his identify within the historical past books when he ran for a 99-yard landing run in 1983 (Derrick Henry tied his file in 2018).
2. USC
Mount Rushmore: S Ronnie Lott, LB Junior Seau, OL Anthony Munoz, RB O.J. Simpson
Honorable mentions: RB Marcus Allen, S Willie Wooden, WR Lynn Swann, S Troy Polamalu, RB Frank Gifford, OL Bruce Matthews, OL Ron Combine, OL Tony Boselli, OL Ron Yary, E/DE Morris Badgro
The Trojans have fielded a slew of future NFL stars, together with three gamers — Lott, Seau and Munoz — who’re arguably the most effective to ever play their respective divisions.
In Munoz’s case, there’s just about no debate in the case of his standing as the best offensive sort out in league historical past. From 1981-91, Munoz earned 11 Professional Bowl appearances and 9 All-Professional nods whereas providing sterling cross defending for 2 quarterbacks who gained the NFL’s MVP.
Seau was a tackling machine who spearheaded the Chargers’ stunning 1994 Tremendous Bowl run. Lott, who began his profession at cornerback earlier than switching to security, as soon as had a part of a finger amputated so he might keep away from lacking enjoying time. He was the 49ers’ greatest defensive participant in the course of the franchise’s heyday in the course of the Nineteen Eighties.
3. Miami (FL)
Mount Rushmore: LB Ray Lewis, DL Warren Sapp, S Ed Reed, WR Michael Irvin
Honorable mentions: DL Ted Hendricks, RB Edgerrin James, QB Jim Kelly, WR Andre Johnson, DL Cortez Kennedy, OL Jim Otto, WR/KR Devin Hester
Few school applications have churned out NFL expertise just like the Hurricanes have for the reason that Nineteen Eighties. On the prime of that checklist are three gamers who’re thought of to be among the many best at their place in Lewis, Sapp and Reed. As teammates, Lewis and Reed helped the Ravens win their second and most up-to-date Tremendous Bowl on the finish of the 2012 season.
You may argue that Andre Johnson deserves Irvin’s spot, however “The Playmaker” acquired the nod for a few causes regardless of having weaker profession numbers. Irvin was a significant a part of the ’90s Cowboys dynasty, and his physicality helped revolutionize the receiver place. He was additionally a extremely productive participant in his personal proper. In 1995, practically half of Troy Aikman’s passing yardage was accomplished to Irvin, who put up massive numbers regardless of enjoying inside a run-first offense.
4. Alabama
Mount Rushmore: OL John Hannah, WR Don Hutson, QB Bart Starr, LB Derrick Thomas
Honorable mentions: QB Joe Namath, QB Ken Stabler, OL Dwight Stephenson, TE Ozzie Newsome
It was a tricky determination making an attempt to determine which of Alabama’s quarterbacks made its Mount Rushmore. The nod finally went to Starr largely due to his historic significance on professional soccer. The quarterback of Vince Lombardi’s Packers, Starr guided Inexperienced Bay to 5 championships and stays the final quarterback to win three straight league titles. He was named the MVP of the primary two Tremendous Bowls.
Talking of powerful calls, Thomas acquired the nod over two deserving gamers in Stephenson and Newsome. Thomas’ 9 consecutive Professional Bowl nods to begin his profession and single-game file of seven sacks (set in 1990) helped his trigger.
5. Syracuse
Mount Rushmore: RB Jim Brown, WR Marvin Harrison, TE John Mackey, OL Jim Ringo
Honorable mentions: RB Larry Csonka, RB Floyd Little, WR Artwork Monk, DE Dwight Freeney
It is arduous to prime this Mount Rushmore. It is headlined by Brown, who’s on the quick checklist of the best gamers in league historical past. In his 9 seasons, Brown led the NFL in dashing eight occasions. He retired with a whopping 5.2 yards-per-carry common and a per-game dashing common of 104.3 yards.
Ringo managed to make the lower over Monk on the energy of his 10 Professional Bowls and 6 All-Professional picks as a valued member of the Sixties Packers. Together with being an unimaginable participant, Ringo possessed unreal sturdiness as he missed only one begin (whereas enjoying in every of Inexperienced Bay’s 182 video games) from 1954-67.
6. Florida State
Mount Rushmore: DB Deion Sanders, WR Fred Biletnkoff, OL Walter Jones, LB Derrick Brooks
Honorable point out: S LeRoy Butler
Whereas he is usually not talked about when the best linebackers of all time are mentioned, Brooks is not ignored on this checklist. An 11-time Professional Bowler and five-time All-Professional, Brooks performed an integral position on the Buccaneers’ dominant protection within the late ’90s and early ’00s.
Brooks was particularly good when it got here to his capability to neutralize then-division rival Michael Vick, probably the most electrical quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. In 2002 (Vick’s breakout yr in addition to the Buccaneers’ first championship season), Vick ran for a scant 10 yards on seven carries in two video games in opposition to Tampa Bay (which had been each losses) with Brooks following his each transfer.
7. SMU
Mount Rushmore: WR Raymond Berry, RB Eric Dickerson, OL Forrest Gregg, RB Doak Walker
We will not speak about SMU soccer with out speaking about Dickerson, the star of the “Pony Categorical” and one of many best backs in school and NFL historical past. Dickerson adopted within the footsteps of Walker, who adopted up his adorned profession at SMU by main the Lions to back-to-back NFL titles within the early Fifties.
Dickerson shortly emerged because the NFL’s greatest working again in the course of the Nineteen Eighties. He set the rookie dashing file in 1983, and a yr later set the still-standing single-season dashing file with 2,105 yards.
8. Penn State
Mount Rushmore: RB Franco Harris, LB Jack Ham, RB Lenny Moore, DL Dave Robinson
Honorable mentions: OL Mike Michalske, OL Mike Munchak
Penn State produced two anchors of the Nineteen Seventies Steelers dynasty in Harris and Ham. Ham was a cerebral exterior linebacker who was an ideal complement to fellow Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert. Harris jump-started the Steelers’ dynasty together with his “Immaculate Reception” within the ’72 playoffs. He gained MVP honors in Pittsburgh’s first Tremendous Bowl win two years later.
Moore, the primary of a protracted line of proficient Penn State working backs, was method forward of his time from a versatility standpoint. He really completed his profession with extra dashing and receiving yards whereas enjoying a key position in Johnny Unitas’ sensible profession. Moore completed his profession with 111 complete touchdowns (63 dashing, 48 receiving).
9. Notre Dame
Mount Rushmore: QB Joe Montana, DL Alan Web page, WR Tim Brown, LB Nick Buoniconti
Honorable mentions: RB Jerome Bettis, TE Dave Casper, LB George Connor, RB Paul Hornung, E Wayne Millner, OL George Trafton, DL Bryant Younger
It is no shock that the Combating Irish have produced a litany of NFL expertise, led by Montana and Web page. Montana, thought of the best quarterback in league historical past previous to Brady’s arrival, was principally flawless in 4 Tremendous Bowl begins. In these video games, Montana didn’t throw a single choose in 92 cross makes an attempt. It is not a coincidence that the 49ers gained every time.
Web page did not have the identical luck in Tremendous Bowls. In reality, it was the alternative as Web page and the Vikings went 0-4 within the massive sport. However that does not take away from Web page’s iconic profession that included being the primary defensive participant to win league MVP.
10. Ohio State
Mount Rushmore: OL Orlando Tempo, WR Cris Carter, WR Paul Warfield, OL Jim Parker
Honorable mentions: OT/Okay Lou Groza, WR Dante Lavelli, DB Dick LeBeau, DL Invoice Willis, LB Randy Gradishar
It is becoming that Ohio State, a faculty that has grow to be synonymous with the receiver place lately, cracks this checklist with two Corridor of Fame wideouts in Carter and Warfield. Carter has arguably the most effective fingers of any wideout in league historical past. Warfield starred in Cleveland earlier than serving to the Dolphins grow to be the one crew in NFL historical past to go undefeated for a complete season.
The Buckeyes’ NFL Mount Rushmore additionally contains two of the most effective offensive linemen in historical past in Tempo and Parker. Tempo and Parker every performed key roles on prolific, championship-winning offenses in St. Louis and Baltimore, respectively.
11. Georgia
Mount Rushmore: QB Fran Tarkenton, CB Champ Bailey, DL Richard Seymour, RB Terrell Davis
Honorable point out: HB Charley Trippi
The Bulldogs’ NFL Mount Rushmore is an ideal mix of offensive and defensive star energy. It begins with Tarkenton, the primary SEC quarterback to throw for over 1,000 yards in a season (he did so within the Sixties). Within the NFL, Tarkenton began in three Tremendous Bowls with the Vikings and retired after the 1978 season because the league’s profession passing chief.
Davis, a backup for almost all of his time at Georgia, packed so much into his 4 wholesome seasons with the Broncos earlier than a knee damage prematurely ended his profession on the age of 29. From 1995-98 Davis, was named to the Professional Bowl thrice, was league MVP in a season that noticed him rush for over 2,000 yards, gained two Tremendous Bowls and was named the MVP of Tremendous Bowl XXXII after dashing for 157 yards and three scores in Denver’s upset win over the Packers.
12. Grambling State
Mount Rushmore: DB Willie Brown, DE Buck Buchanan, DL Willie Davis, WR Charlie Joyner
Grambling State’s Mount Rushmore has a heavy defensive presence. Brown, Buchanan and Davis performed in a mixed six Tremendous Bowls from 1966-76, successful 4. Brown submitted probably the most iconic performs in Tremendous Bowl historical past together with his 75-yard choose six in Tremendous Bowl XI that sealed the Raiders’ first championship.
The Tigers’ checklist additionally contains Joyner, a vastly underrated receiver who performed a key position in Don Coryell’s revolutionary passing assault in San Diego within the late ’70s and into the ’80s.
13. South Carolina State
Mount Rushmore: DL Deacon Jones, LB Harry Carson, RB Marion Motley, S Donnie Shell
When you like protection, you have come to the correct place. South Carolina State’s premier NFL participant, Jones, was a feared cross rusher who coined the time period “sack.” Carson and Shell had been key members of championship defenses with the Giants and Steelers, respectively. Shell, a hard-hitting participant who was appropriately nicknamed “The Torpedo” for his position as a particular groups gunner, grew to become the primary sturdy security to file 50 profession interceptions in 1986.
Whereas he did not play protection, Motley was usually the aggressor when it got here to contact throughout his Corridor of Fame profession as a Browns working again.
14. UCLA
Mount Rushmore: QB Troy Aikman, DB Kenny Easley, E Tom Fears, OL Jonathan Ogden
Honorable mentions: DB Jimmy Johnson, QB Bob Waterfield
Fears simply acquired the nod over Johnson due to the mind-boggling numbers he was in a position to put up regardless of enjoying within the run-heavy eras of the ’40s and ’50s. He led the NFL in receptions three straight years and was the third participant to file 1,000 yards in a season. Fears’ file of 18 receptions in a sport stood because the single-game file for 50 years till it was damaged in 2000 by Terrell Owens.
15. Jackson State
Mount Rushmore: RB Walter Payton, DL Robert Brazile, OL Jackie Slater, DB Lem Barney
Consider it or not, Payton, Brazile and Slater all performed for Jackson State on the similar time. What’s crazier is that the Tigers did not go undefeated with their Corridor of Fame trio. Payton, who would go onto grow to be the NFL’s all-time main rusher (a feat that was later eclipsed by Emmitt Smith) left Jackson State because the NCAA’s profession scoring chief with 464 factors.
After blocking for Payton in school, Slater helped open holes within the NFL for a number of standout working backs that included Eric Dickerson and Jerome Bettis.
16. Michigan
Mount Rushmore: QB Tom Brady, DB Charles Woodson, CB Ty Regulation, OL Dan Dierdorf
Honorable mentions: DL Len Ford, QB Benny Friedman, E Invoice Hewitt, WR/HB Elroy Hirsch, OL Steve Hutchinson, OL Tom Mack
When you may have the GOAT, you are principally assured a spot on this checklist. However together with having the seven-time Tremendous Bowl championship QB in Brady, Michigan additionally boasts a pair of Corridor of Fame defensive backs and one of many hardest, nastiest offensive lineman in historical past in Dierdorf.
You possibly can’t point out Brady and Woodson with out speaking about their shared second in historical past: Woodson’s hit on Brady within the 2001 playoffs that birthed the controversial Tuck Rule.
17. Purdue
Mount Rushmore: QB Drew Brees, QB Bob Griese, QB Len Dawson, DB Rod Woodson
Purdue’s Mount Rushmore consists of two Corridor of Fame quarterbacks, one other one in ready and the most effective pure athletes the league has ever seen in Woodson. Griese and Dawson share a spot in historical past because the opposing quarterbacks within the NFL’s longest sport.
18. LSU
Mount Rushmore: DB Johnny Robinson, RB Jim Taylor, QB Y.A. Tittle, HB Steve Van Buren
Honorable mentions: OL Alan Faneca, OL Kevin Mawae
Joe Burrow might in the future be a part of fellow quarterback Tittle on the Tigers’ NFL Mount Rushmore. For now, although, Tittle is the one former Tigers quarterback to make the lower, and his spot is properly deserved. In 1956, he led the Giants to their first league title and was named league MVP seven years later on the age of 37.
19. Stanford
Mount Rushmore: QB John Elway, WR James Lofton, S John Lynch, Ernie Nevers
The Cardinals’ best participant, Elway guided the Broncos to 5 Tremendous Bowls throughout his Corridor of Fame profession. He ended his profession with an MVP efficiency in Tremendous Bowl XXXIII.
Lynch, who presently serves because the 49ers normal supervisor, was a Professional Bowler in 9 of his ultimate 11 seasons whereas enjoying for the Buccaneers and Broncos. He was a key member of a Buccaneers protection that picked off then-league MVP Wealthy Gannon 5 occasions in Tremendous Bowl XXXVII.
20. Oregon
Mount Rushmore: QB Dan Fouts, DB Mel Renfro, QB Norm Van Brocklin, LB Dave Wilcox
Honorable point out: OL Gary Zimmerman
The Geese boast two of probably the most prolific passers in league historical past in Fouts and Van Brocklin. Each quarterbacks — many years forward of their time — had been instrumental within the evolution of the place.
Fouts and Van Brocklin are flanked by two legendary defenders. Renfro pillaged 52 opposing quarterback passes throughout his 14-year profession with the Cowboys. Wilcox earned seven Professional Bowl nods with the 49ers whereas changing into one of many NFL’s premier linebackers in the course of the Sixties.
