🏈 Ranking college football coaches as players

Every 5 years oregon so, I instrumentality a stab astatine ranking each of the FBS caput coaches, according to their careers arsenic assemblage shot players.

The backgrounds of coaches -- wherever they played, what they played, however palmy they were, however often they transferred -- tin shed airy connected however they negociate their rosters and oversee their programs these days. The radical of coaches besides changes importantly successful every edition of these rankings.

What truly stands retired astir the existent harvest of coaches is the accrued fig of ex-superstar players astatine the helm. Heisman Trophy victor Eddie George is an FBS manager astatine Bowling Green. So is Deion Sanders, a nationalist grant victor and multitime All-America selection, who past became a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Former NFL players DeShaun Foster and Trent Dilfer are besides starring assemblage teams. The coaching ranks see assemblage stars specified arsenic Timmy Chang, Steve Sarkisian and Mike Gundy, arsenic good arsenic those who stood retired successful assemblage football's little divisions.

As with past rankings, I prioritized occurrence successful assemblage football, careless of level. Those who shined nether the brightest of lights volition beryllium rewarded, but truthful volition those who did unthinkable things connected smaller stages. Achievements specified arsenic nationalist awards and All-America oregon all-conference designation carried weight. Reaching the FBS and the Power 4 surely matters, but it's much astir what happened erstwhile you got there.

For these rankings, I'm besides categorizing the coaches arsenic players, alternatively than trying to sift done immoderate of the little decorated careers. I inactive volition fertile the 30 champion overall, but others volition look successful tiers.

As a reminder, these rankings spotlight what coaches did as assemblage players, not needfully astatine the pro level, though their full careers are considered.

Jump to a tier:
Limited production | Small-school grads | Transfers
G5 stars | Lower-level legends | Power 4 players
The 30 best | Who ne'er played

Big school, constricted accumulation (20)

Tim Beck, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers: Beck is from Youngstown, Ohio, and starred successful aggregate sports for Cardinal Mooney High School, which Bo Pelini and the Stoops brothers besides attended. He played 1 play astatine backmost for UCF and graduated from the school.

Brent Brennan, Arizona Wildcats: He spent 5 seasons astatine UCLA arsenic a wide receiver, earning a missive successful 1993, arsenic the Bruins won the Pac-10 title and reached the Rose Bowl. Brennan had 1 reception for 7 yards successful 1994.

Curt Cignetti, Indiana Hoosiers: The lad of erstwhile West Virginia manager Frank Cignetti, Curt was constantly astir the game and grew up mostly successful Morgantown. Curt went to play for his begetter astatine WVU and remained determination adjacent aft the schoolhouse fired Frank pursuing the 1979 season. He didn't spot the tract overmuch for the Mountaineers earlier entering coaching.

Matt Drinkall, Central Michigan Chippewas: A standout precocious schoolhouse subordinate successful Bettendorf, Iowa, Drinkall went to the University of Iowa arsenic a wide receiver. But a career-ending wounded forced him to go a pupil manager for the Hawkeyes. He ended up graduating from Western Illinois.

Jason Eck, New Mexico Lobos: The lad of a longtime assemblage hoops coach, Eck walked onto Wisconsin's shot squad during the program's mid-1990s surge nether Barry Alvarez. He earned a assistance earlier the 1997 play and was a backup violative lineman arsenic the squad won the Big Ten and the Rose Bowl successful 1998.

Tony Elliott, Virginia Cavaliers: A difficult puerility successful California yet brought Elliott to South Carolina, wherever helium played shot and basketball. He spent a twelvemonth astatine the Air Force Academy's prep schoolhouse earlier walking connected astatine Clemson successful 1999. Elliott lettered each 4 years arsenic a wide receiver, earned a assistance arsenic a inferior and had 23 catches for 286 yards and a touchdown during his elder year, erstwhile helium was a co-captain.

Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: Helton was a backup backmost astatine Houston portion his father, Kim, served arsenic Cougars manager successful the precocious 1990s. He had 109 vocation walk attempts and saw his astir enactment successful 1997 with 384 passing yards, 1 touchdown and 4 interceptions.

Charles Kelly, Jacksonville State Gamecocks: Kelly grew up successful Ozark, Alabama, and came to Auburn arsenic a antiaircraft back. He played determination for manager Pat Dye from 1986 to 1989, earning a missive successful his last season.

Zach Kittley, Florida Atlantic Owls: The 6-foot-7 Kittley played hoops increasing up, and pursued the athletics astatine Abilene Christian arsenic a walk-on successful 2011. But helium past pivoted and transferred to Texas Tech, wherever his father, Wes, is the longtime way and tract coach. Zach yet began moving for the shot squad arsenic a pupil assistant.

Rhett Lashlee, SMU Mustangs: Lashlee enactment up mammoth numbers arsenic a precocious schoolhouse backmost for manager Gus Malzahn. He won 40 games, helped his squad to 2 authorities titles and acceptable authorities oregon nationalist records for vocation touchdown passes (171), single-game passing yards (672) and vocation passing yards (13,201). Lashlee past went to Arkansas, wherever helium was a backup until a enarthrosis wounded ended his career.

Clark Lea, Vanderbilt Commodores: Lea had a fascinating assemblage athletics career, starting disconnected astatine Birmingham Southern arsenic a shot subordinate and helping the squad to an NAIA nationalist rubric successful 2001. The Nashville autochthonal past returned location to play a shot play astatine Belmont, earlier finishing with Vanderbilt arsenic a shot player. He earned a shot assistance with the Commodores and logged 9 vocation carries.

Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State Bulldogs: Lebby, from Andrews, Texas, was an all-state violative lineman successful precocious schoolhouse who received important recruiting interest. He landed with Oklahoma, but a spinal wounded during his freshman twelvemonth ended his career. Lebby became a pupil adjunct nether Bob Stoops.

Sean Lewis, San Diego State Aztecs: Lewis grew up conscionable extracurricular of Chicago and was a productive dual-threat quarterback. Wisconsin recruited him arsenic a backmost but moved him to choky end, wherever helium earned 2 letters but didn't play much. Lewis doubly earned Academic All-Big Ten honors with the Badgers.

Dowell Loggains, Appalachian State Mountaineers: Despite being lone 5-foot-6, Loggains walked onto the shot squad astatine Arkansas and recovered a relation arsenic a reserve backmost and the team's holder. He yet earned a assistance and appeared successful 50 games for the Hogs, completing 1 walk for 11 yards.

Jim Mora, UConn Huskies: Like respective connected this list, Mora is simply a lad of a shot manager and was perpetually astir the game. He walked connected astatine Washington arsenic a information but didn't spot overmuch playing clip until switching to extracurricular linebacker arsenic a elder successful 1983. Mora had 18 tackles, including a sack, that autumn for the Huskies.

Brian Newberry, Navy Midshipmen: Newberry played some backmost and antiaircraft backmost successful precocious schoolhouse but came to Baylor arsenic a information and missed important clip with injuries. In 1994, helium played connected a Baylor squad that shared the Southwest Conference rubric and reached the Alamo Bowl. Newberry was portion of a 1995 Baylor defence that ranked No. 5 nationally.

Gerad Parker, Troy Trojans: Parker came to Kentucky arsenic 1 of the apical homegrown precocious schoolhouse players, having acceptable authorities records for receiving yards (4,814), receptions (238) and receiving touchdowns (52). He besides was an all-state hoops subordinate and ran track. But Parker's assemblage vocation astatine UK didn't bring overmuch fortune, arsenic injuries constricted him to 23 games. He had 15 receptions arsenic a elder and was named the team's astir inspirational player.

Matt Rhule, Nebraska Cornhuskers: Rhule was calved successful State College, Pennsylvania, and returned determination for the extremity of precocious schoolhouse and past assemblage astatine Penn State. He was a walk-on linebacker with the Nittany Lions nether manager Joe Paterno from 1994 to 1997, playing mostly connected the scout squad and earning world All-Big Ten honors.

Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans: Riley played backmost successful his hometown of Muleshoe, Texas, helping his precocious schoolhouse squad to the authorities semifinals arsenic a elder contempt a enarthrosis wounded that ne'er afloat healed and caused him to propulsion sidearm. He had offers to play successful the Ivy League but alternatively walked connected astatine Texas Tech, wherever helium made the squad but didn't play and yet became a pupil adjunct for manager Mike Leach.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers: There's a crushed wherefore Swinney feels truthful powerfully astir walk-ons and their spot successful large assemblage football. He was 1 astatine Alabama, aft increasing up successful the state, and aboriginal earned a assistance arsenic a wide receiver for the Tide. Swinney, who had 7 vocation catches, lettered from 1990 to 1992, and was a portion of Bama's 1992 rubric team.

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Small-school grads (17)

Dave Aranda, Baylor Bears: Aranda's shot vocation was defined by toughness. He underwent 5 enarthrosis surgeries arsenic a precocious schoolhouse linebacker and violative lineman and played the 2nd fractional of his last playoff crippled with a breached clavicle. Denied admittance to the Navy due to the fact that of his enarthrosis issues, Aranda went to inferior assemblage and past Division II Cal Lutheran, wherever helium concisely tried to play. Another enarthrosis wounded ended his playing career.

Bill Belichick, North Carolina Tar Heels: The lad of longtime Navy adjunct Steve Belichick, Bill played shot and lacrosse successful precocious schoolhouse and besides successful assemblage astatine Wesleyan University. He was a reserve halfway and choky extremity for Wesleyan, captained the lacrosse squad and besides lettered successful squash.

Ryan Carty, Delaware Blue Hens: A New Jersey native, Carty came to Delaware and was a reserve backmost passim his career. The undersized Carty played down Andy Hall arsenic Delaware won the Division I-AA nationalist rubric successful 2003, and aboriginal backed up Joe Flacco with the Blue Hens. Carty was named a squad skipper arsenic a elder successful 2006.

Jamey Chadwell, Liberty Flames: Chadwell has been up of the curve with violative schemes some arsenic a manager and a player. He starred astatine backmost successful a dispersed discourtesy for Anderson County High School successful Tennessee. He past played astatine East Tennessee State successful the precocious 1990s and was acceptable to commencement successful 1997, earlier a breached ankle moved him to a reserve role.

Jeff Choate Nevada Wolf Pack: Choate grew up successful agrarian Idaho and played 2 seasons astatine Montana Western, an NAIA program. His vocation arsenic a linebacker looked promising, but a car mishap earlier Choate's inferior play near him with a superior genu wounded that yet ended his playing career.

Dave Doeren, NC State Wolfpack: A autochthonal of Kansas, Doeren played linebacker astatine FCS Drake successful the aboriginal 1990s, earning 4 letters astatine the school. As a senior, helium was named an world All-America selection. He past began his coaching vocation astatine his alma mater.

Mike Elko, Texas A&M Aggies: The New Jersey autochthonal played some backmost and antiaircraft backmost successful precocious schoolhouse earlier coming to Penn, wherever his aboriginal was acceptable connected defense. He became a astute and productive information for the Quakers. Elko earned letters successful 1995, 1997 and 1998, erstwhile helium helped Penn to an Ivy League title.

Matt Entz, Fresno State Bulldogs: Entz grew up successful Waterloo, Iowa, and attended adjacent Wartburg College, wherever his parents, grandparents and great-grandfather had besides attended. He was portion of a agelong that included 19 consecutive wins from 1993 to 1994, and 2 Division III playoff appearances.

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa Hawkeyes: Ferentz played precocious schoolhouse shot successful Pittsburgh, and besides was a standout left-handed shot pitcher. He went connected to play linebacker astatine UConn, past a Division II program, wherever helium was named antiaircraft MVP and served arsenic a squad skipper successful the mid 1970s.

Tony Gibson, Marshall Thundering Herd: The West Virginia autochthonal stayed adjacent to location for assemblage astatine Glenville State, wherever helium played antiaircraft backmost and helped the squad to 2 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships. Gibson played for Glenville State from 1991 to 1994.

Butch Jones, Arkansas State Red Wolves: Jones grew up adjacent the eastbound shores of Lake Michigan, wherever his begetter served arsenic constabulary main successful Saugatuck, Michigan. Butch went to Division II Ferris State to play moving backmost and wide receiver and earned letters his archetypal 2 seasons. A genu wounded ended his vocation and moved him into coaching.

Pete Lembo, Buffalo Bulls: Lembo grew up connected Staten Island earlier attending Georgetown, wherever helium started 4 seasons connected the Hoyas' violative line. Lembo played halfway and was a squad skipper arsenic a elder successful 1991. He besides earned the Coaches' Award for outstanding leadership.

Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders: Mason grew up successful Phoenix and starred for Camelback High School earlier staying in-state for assemblage astatine Northern Arizona. He earned 4 letters with the Lumberjacks and started 2 seasons. Mason besides competed successful way there.

Jeff Monken, Army Black Knights: Monken grew up successful Illinois and played aggregate sports some successful precocious schoolhouse and college. He attended Millikin University, a Division III programme successful Decatur, Illinois, wherever helium played wide receiver and besides earned 2 letters successful track, serving arsenic a co-captain successful 1989.

Bill O'Brien, Boston College Eagles: He's known for coaching discourtesy and quarterbacks but played antiaircraft extremity and linebacker astatine Brown. O'Brien earned letters determination successful 1991 and 1992.

Brent Pry, Virginia Tech Hokies: Pry was calved successful Pennsylvania and attended precocious schoolhouse successful Virginia, wherever helium earned all-state honors arsenic a backmost and a antiaircraft back. He started assemblage arsenic a information astatine Maryville College successful 1988 earlier transferring to Buffalo, past besides a Division III program. Pry lettered successful 1990 but sustained a career-ending wounded successful 1991.

Jeff Traylor, UTSA Roadrunners: He grew up successful Gilmer, Texas, and played for the precocious schoolhouse squad that helium would aboriginal manager to 3 authorities championships and 12 territory championships. Traylor walked onto the squad astatine Stephen F. Austin and played 4 years arsenic a reserve choky end. He earned 2 degrees from the school.

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Pre-portal transfers (10)

Fran Brown, Syracuse Orange: Brown started disconnected arsenic a precocious schoolhouse backmost successful Camden, New Jersey, mounting a squad grounds with 47 touchdown passes and earning all-league honors 3 times. After starting assemblage astatine Hudson Valley Community College, Brown played cornerback astatine Western Carolina, wherever helium was a squad skipper and earned first-team all-league honors. Brown spent 2 seasons connected the Cincinnati Bengals' signifier squad.

Clay Helton, Georgia Southern Eagles: Helton finished precocious schoolhouse successful Texas earlier heading to Auburn. He was a backup backmost determination earlier transferring to Houston, wherever his begetter Kim was caput coach. Clay besides held a reserve relation astatine Houston but saw immoderate enactment successful 1994, completing 46 passes successful 8 games for 417 yards with a touchdown and 4 interceptions.

Phil Longo, Sam Houston Bearkats: He began his assemblage vocation successful Pennsylvania astatine East Stroudsburg University, wherever helium played backmost for a twelvemonth earlier transferring to Rowan University. Longo played moving backmost for Rowan and helped the squad to its archetypal title successful the New Jersey Athletic Conference, arsenic good arsenic its archetypal Division III playoff appearance.

Bronco Mendenhall, Utah State Aggies: A Utah native, Mendenhall had a decorated vocation astatine 2 assemblage programs. He started successful juco astatine Snow College and earned All-America honors successful 1985 arsenic helium helped the squad to an undefeated play and an NJCAA nationalist championship. Mendenhall past went to the Pac-10 astatine Oregon State, wherever helium played information and linebacker and was a squad skipper successful 1987.

Sherrone Moore, Michigan Wolverines: The Kansas autochthonal began his assemblage vocation successful the authorities astatine Butler Community College, wherever helium started 2 seasons, helped the squad to 2 league titles and earned second-team all-conference designation arsenic a guard. Moore past transferred to Oklahoma, wherever helium appeared successful 14 games during 2 seasons and played for 2 Big 12 title squads.

Pat Narduzzi, Pitt Panthers: Narduzzi was an all-state linebacker successful Ohio and began his assemblage vocation astatine Youngstown State, wherever his begetter Bill served arsenic caput coach. Pat started his freshman play astatine YSU successful 1985 and led the Ohio Valley Conference successful tackles earlier transferring to Rhode Island, wherever helium started from 1987 to 1989.

Tony Sanchez, New Mexico State Aggies: Sanchez began his assemblage vocation astatine Oakland's Laney College, wherever helium was a standout wide receiver. He past transferred to New Mexico State and played his last 2 seasons there, signaling 42 receptions for 546 yards arsenic a senior. Sanchez earned letters successful some years astatine NMSU.

Willie Simmons, Florida International Panthers: A coveted backmost recruit, Simmons went to Clemson and earned 3 letters, spending 2 seasons arsenic a backup earlier starting successful 2002. He passed for 2,530 yards and 16 touchdowns successful 24 games with the Tigers. After helping Clemson to 3 vessel games, Simmons transferred to The Citadel and earned first-team all-league honors successful 2003. He past spent 1 play successful the United Indoor Football League.

Brent Venables, Oklahoma Sooners: Venables grew up successful Kansas and played astatine 2 schools wrong his location state, archetypal astatine Garden City Community College, wherever helium was a inferior assemblage All-America linebacker with 276 vocation tackles. He past transferred to Kansas State and played for manager Bill Snyder, earning honorable notation All-Big Eight honors successful 1992 aft signaling 124 tackles.

Scotty Walden, UTEP Miners: The 35-year-old Walden tin surely subordinate to the acquisition of the modern assemblage shot player. He spent clip astatine 3 schools: Dordt College successful Iowa, and Hardin-Simmons University and Sul Ross State successful Texas. Walden started successful 2008 for Dordt and 2011 for Sul Ross State, and played some backmost and antiaircraft backmost for Hardin-Simmons successful between. He was a squad skipper arsenic a elder successful 2011.

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Group of 5 stars (6)

Troy Calhoun, Air Force Falcons: Calhoun played backmost astatine Air Force successful the 1980s, and was 1 of conscionable 2 freshmen to missive connected the 1985 squad that finished 12-1. He yet became the Falcons' starter nether longtime manager Fisher DeBerry.

P.J. Fleck, Minnesota Golden Gophers: After a decorated precocious schoolhouse vocation that featured all-state honors successful 3 sports and 2 authorities championships, Fleck went to Northern Illinois, wherever helium earned first-team All-MAC honors arsenic a elder and helped the squad to 10 wins. Fleck acceptable a squad grounds for vocation punt returns and had 77 receptions for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns successful 2003. He spent 2 years successful the San Francisco 49ers organization, appearing successful 1 game.

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss Rebels: He has been astir the crippled since commencement arsenic the lad of Monte Kiffin, a longtime antiaircraft guru successful some assemblage shot and the NFL. Lane Kiffin attended precocious schoolhouse successful Minnesota, playing football, hoops and baseball. In assemblage astatine Fresno State, helium shared the backmost country with David Carr, an eventual No. 1 NFL draught pick. After 3 years arsenic a reserve, Kiffin became a pupil adjunct arsenic a senior.

Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State Owls: A Memphis native, Mack began his assemblage vocation arsenic a wide receiver astatine Jackson State earlier transferring to Arkansas State. He earned letters successful his 3 seasons with Arkansas State and saw his astir tract enactment successful 2002.

Ken Niumatalolo, San Jose State Spartans: Niumatalolo grew up successful Honolulu and became a multisport prima astatine Radford High School, which helium led to an Oahu Prep Bowl Championship. After serving an LDS mission, helium played backmost astatine the University of Hawai'i, earning 3 letters and helping the Rainbows to their archetypal vessel quality successful 1989.

Brian Smith, Ohio Bobcats: Smith was a standout California precocious schoolhouse wrestler successful summation to playing football. He went to Hawai'i for assemblage and chiefly played agelong snapper during his archetypal fewer seasons but yet became the team's starting halfway successful 2000 and 2001. He spent 2002 and 2003 arsenic a escaped cause with the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers.

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Small-school standouts (22)

Tim Albin, Charlotte 49ers: The Oklahoma autochthonal didn't drift acold for college, playing astatine Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State, wherever helium was an all-conference wide receiver. He had 109 vocation receptions for 1,811 yards from 1985 to 1988, and became the school's archetypal subordinate to gain all-district honors 3 times.

David Braun, Northwestern Wildcats: Braun was a antiaircraft lineman astatine Winona State successful Minnesota, earning all-league honors. He served arsenic a skipper and helped the squad to 3 league championships and 3 Division II playoff appearances.

Jason Candle, Toledo Rockets: Few assemblage programs astatine immoderate level person a stronger coaching tree than Mount Union, a Division III powerhouse wherever Candle, Super Bowl champion Nick Sirianni and others played. Candle was an all-conference wide receiver for the Purple Raiders, contributing to 2 nationalist championships and starring the squad successful receptions (41), receiving yards (778), and touchdowns (9) successful 2001.

Mark Carney, Kent State Golden Flashes: Carney, serving arsenic Kent State's interim manager for the 2025 season, was a standout backmost astatine Fordham. He won squad MVP honors successful 2001, erstwhile helium doubly eclipsed 365 passing yards and was named second-team All-Patriot League. Carney had 9 vocation games of 200 passing yards oregon much and ranks successful the apical 15 successful squad past for respective categories, including sixth for single-season touchdown passes (27).

Bob Chesney, James Madison Dukes: Chesney played assemblage shot astatine Dickinson College successful Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a Division III program. Chesney stood retired astatine antiaircraft backmost for Dickinson, doubly earning second-team all-league honors and being named squad MVP successful 1997. He was a squad skipper arsenic a senior.

Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan Eagles: His fascinating way began successful San Francisco and took him to Kenyon College successful Ohio, wherever helium was a Kenyon hallway of fame backmost and acceptable single-season league records for passing yardage (2,843) and touchdowns (29). He led Kenyon to its lone North Coast Athletic Conference rubric successful 1989 and aboriginal guided a Swedish team, the Limhamn Griffins, to a nationalist title arsenic player-coach successful 1993.

Spencer Danielson, Boise State Broncos: The Southern California autochthonal began his assemblage vocation astatine the University of San Diego earlier transferring to Azusa Pacific, wherever helium became a standout linebacker. Danielson started 29 games successful his vocation and finished with 190 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 5 interceptions betwixt 2009 and 2012.

Jake Dickert, Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Dickert attended Wisconsin-Stevens Point, wherever helium was recruited to play backmost but switched to wide receiver. He had an appendectomy arsenic a elder but missed lone 2 games and led the league successful receptions per crippled (7), portion ranking 3rd successful receiving yards (74 YPG) and earning second-team all-conference honors.

Willie Fritz, Houston Cougars: You simply don't sport this haircut without backing it up, which Fritz did arsenic a four-year starter astatine Pittsburg State successful Kansas, wherever helium played for 2 league title squads. He besides played constituent defender for the school's hoops squad from 1978 to 1981.

Willie Fritz
Pittsburg State, Defensive Back/Punt Returner 1978-1981 pic.twitter.com/RJ642VY5j5

— Random College Athletes (@RandomAthletess) September 7, 2021

Joe Harasymiak, UMass Minutemen: The New Jersey autochthonal went to Division III Springfield College successful Massachusetts, wherever helium became a skipper and a standout antiaircraft back. He tied squad records for single-season interceptions (10 successful 2006) and vocation interceptions (17 from 2004 to 2007). He was a co-captain successful 2007.

Charles Huff, Southern Miss Golden Eagles: Huff had a versatile and palmy vocation astatine Hampton, an FCS program, wherever helium played center, guard, fullback and choky end. He started astatine halfway successful 2005 erstwhile Hampton went undefeated and won 1 of 3 MEAC championships during Huff's career. Huff played connected 2 teams that reached the FCS playoffs.

K.C. Keeler, Temple Owls: After playing 4 sports successful precocious schoolhouse successful Pennsylvania, Keeler came to Delaware, wherever helium started astatine linebacker arsenic the Blue Hens won a Division II nationalist title successful 1979. He started 3 seasons and recorded six interceptions, including picks connected 3 consecutive walk attempts successful a 1978 Division II playoff quarterfinal. Keeler signed arsenic a escaped cause with the Philadelphia Eagles but was cut.

Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers: After increasing up successful the Boston area, Kelly attended Assumption University successful Worcester, Massachusetts, wherever helium became a standout mediate linebacker. Kelly would gain all-league honors successful the New England Collegiate Football Conference and acceptable a squad grounds for tackles with 314.

Chris Klieman, Kansas State Wildcats: Klieman played assemblage shot astatine Northern Iowa. He was a three-time all-conference antiaircraft backmost for the Panthers and earned 4 letters with the program. Klieman helped the squad to league titles successful 1987 and 1990, and 2 FCS playoff wins successful 1987.

Dan Lanning, Oregon Ducks: Lanning grew up adjacent Kansas City and played for William Jewell, an NAIA program. He was a linebacker there from 2004 to 2008. As a senior, helium recorded 57 tackles, including 10.5 for nonaccomplishment and 4.5 sacks, and added a forced fumble portion earning all-conference honors.

Mike Locksley, Maryland Terrapins: Locksley grew up successful Washington D.C. and played assemblage shot successful Baltimore astatine Towson, wherever helium started astatine information and was a antiaircraft captain. He earned antiaircraft MVP honors arsenic a elder successful 1991 and finished 19th connected the school's all-time tackles list.

Joe Moorhead, Akron Zips: Moorhead played backmost for Fordham, wherever helium started 3 seasons and was a squad skipper arsenic a senior. He earned second-team All-Patriot League honors arsenic a elder successful 1995 and finished with squad single-season and vocation records for some completions and passing yards.

Dan Mullen, UNLV Rebels: Mullen played choky extremity for Ursinus College, a Division III programme successful Pennsylvania, wherever helium earned 2 letters and was a first-team All-Centennial Conference enactment arsenic a elder successful 1993.

Mike Norvell, Florida State Seminoles: Like Fritz, Norvell had an unforgettable assemblage haircut portion playing wide receiver astatine Central Arkansas, past a Division II program. But he, too, backed it up with large play. Norvell finished arsenic the team's vocation receptions person with 213. He was 5th successful vocation receiving yards with 2,611. He helped the Bears to an 11-win play and a Gulf South title arsenic a senior.

#FlashbackFriday Mike Norvell rocking the maize rows arsenic a subordinate astatine Central Arkansas. #PlayOnPlaya pic.twitter.com/aZxpUguXPH

— College Sports Only 🏈 🏀 ⚾️ (@CollegeSportsO) November 25, 2016

Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati Bearcats: Satterfield is among the cardinal figures to propel Appalachian State up the ranks and into the FBS. He started 27 games astatine backmost for the FCS Mountaineers from 1992 to 1995. Satterfield earned first-team all-league honors arsenic a dual-threat QB successful his last year, arsenic Appalachian State went 11-0 successful the regular play and finished 12-1.

Jay Sawvel, Wyoming Cowboys: Part of the immense Mount Union tree, Sawvel grew up successful Ohio and attended Mount, wherever helium earned 3 letters and was an all-conference enactment arsenic a elder successful 1993, arsenic the Purple Raiders won the Division III nationalist title. He had 118 tackles that fall.

Greg Schiano, Rutgers Scarlet Knights: The New Jersey autochthonal played assemblage shot astatine Bucknell, wherever helium earned 3 letters and led the squad with 114 tackles arsenic a junior. Schiano was named to the All-Patriot League squad that autumn and captained the Bucknell squad arsenic a elder successful 1987, earning Sporting News preseason All-America honors that year.

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Small-school superstars (9)

Ryan Day, Ohio State Buckeyes: Few New Hampshirites person had amended careers wrong the authorities than Day. He was a prima backmost for Manchester Central High School, becoming Gatorade Player of the Year successful 1996 aft mounting authorities records for vocation walk yards (4,099) and touchdown passes (57). Day past attended the University of New Hampshire, wherever helium started for then-offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. He acceptable 9 squad records there, including vocation touchdown passes, completions, completion percent and full offense.

Matt Campbell, Iowa State Cyclones: Campbell said playing astatine Mount Union, aft a hard twelvemonth astatine Pitt, "saved my life," and enactment him connected a way to success. He joined the Division III powerfulness and helped the Purple Raiders to 3 consecutive nationalist championships and 4 league titles. A antiaircraft lineman, Campbell was doubly named antiaircraft lineman of the twelvemonth successful the Ohio Athletic Conference and earned All-America honors arsenic the squad went 54-1 successful his career.

James Franklin, Penn State Nittany Lions: Franklin went to East Stroudsburg, a Division II program. He started astatine backmost during the 1993 and 1994 seasons, finishing sixth nationally successful full discourtesy successful 1994 (312.9 YPG). Franklin had 4,498 passing yards and 33 touchdowns successful his 2 seasons arsenic the starter, and finished with 23 squad records.

Tre Lamb, Tulsa Golden Hurricane: Lamb comes from a shot household and earned Georgia all-state honors arsenic a precocious schoolhouse backmost portion playing for his father, Hal. He went 21-4 arsenic the starter earlier coming to Tennessee Tech, wherever helium was a three-time skipper and successful 2011 led the squad to its archetypal league rubric since 1975 and its archetypal FCS playoff appearance. Lamb acceptable 3 squad records, including single-season full offense, and had 5,301 vocation passing yards.

Lance Leipold, Kansas Jayhawks: Before starring Wisconsin-Whitewater to six Division III nationalist championships successful 8 years arsenic coach, Leipold played backmost for the Warhawks. He led Whitewater to a league rubric successful 1984 and finished his vocation with 9 squad records, including single-season completions (145), attempts (306) and yards (2,034). Leipold finished his vocation with 4,277 passing yards connected 303 completions.

Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio) RedHawks: He played assemblage shot astatine Division III Millikin from 1986 to 1990. Martin earned All-America honors arsenic some a information and a placekicker, and was named an world All-American.

Billy Napier, Florida Gators: After playing precocious schoolhouse shot for his father, Bill, Napier went to Furman, wherever helium doubly earned All-Southern Conference honors arsenic a quarterback. Furman won 2 league titles and reached the Division I-AA (now FCS) nationalist title crippled successful Napier's inferior play of 2001. Napier acceptable squad records arsenic a elder with 64.8% completions and 2,475 yards and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, fixed to the apical FCS player.

Ricky Rahne, Old Dominion Monarchs: Rahne became 1 of the champion players successful Cornell history, mounting 33 squad passing and full discourtesy records arsenic a three-year starter. Rahne's 7,718 passing yards marked the 3rd astir among Ivy League players, and helium acceptable Cornell marks for full discourtesy (7,994 yards), completions (678), touchdown passes (54) and different categories. He doubly earned honorable notation all-league honors and was a three-time squad MVP.

Jimmy Rogers, Washington State Cougars: Before coaching South Dakota State to nationalist titles, Rogers was a tackling instrumentality for the Jackrabbits from 2006 to 2009. He started each 4 years astatine linebacker and earned all-conference honors 2 times, including a first-team enactment successful 2007. He led the Great West Football Conference with 110 tackles that fall, and finished his vocation with 312 vocation tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. Rogers was a skipper connected South Dakota State's archetypal FCS playoff team.

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POWER 4 KEY CONTRIBUTORS (8)

Shane Beamer, South Carolina Gamecocks: The Beamer coaching household is known for peculiar teams, and Shane not amazingly served arsenic the starting agelong snapper for Virginia Tech, wherever his begetter Frank was a Hall of Fame coach. Shane snapped and played wide receiver connected 5 vessel teams and 3 Big East title teams, including the 1999 squad that played for a nationalist title.

Bret Bielema, Illinois Fighting Illini: Bielema is successful the immense coaching histrion of ex-Iowa players. He walked connected arsenic a antiaircraft lineman earlier earning a assistance from longtime manager Hayden Fry. He played for Iowa's Big Ten rubric squad successful 1990, started successful 1991 and was a co-captain successful 1992. Bielema had little stints with the Seattle Seahawks and the Arena League's Milwaukee Mustangs.

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) January 19, 2023

Dell McGee, Georgia State Panthers: McGee grew up successful Columbus, Georgia, and played antiaircraft backmost astatine Auburn, wherever helium earned 4 letters and started 2 seasons. He had a precocious interception successful the 1993 Iron Bowl to assistance undefeated Auburn decision Alabama. McGee was a fifth-round NFL draught prime successful 1996 and played successful the NFL, NFL Europe, XFL and the Arena Football League during 7 pro seasons.

Frank Reich, Stanford Cardinal: Reich played backmost astatine Maryland, wherever helium backed up Boomer Esiason for 3 seasons. He yet started arsenic a elder and led the largest comeback successful NCAA history against reigning nationalist champion Miami, arsenic Maryland erased a 31-0 shortage to triumph 42-40. Reich acceptable a squad grounds with six touchdown passes and finished with 1,446 passing yards that fall. A third-round draught prime by Buffalo, Reich played down Jim Kelly but led the Bills to the largest comeback successful NFL past against Houston successful the 1993 playoffs.

— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) July 21, 2020

Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia Mountaineers: RichRod is backmost successful his location state, wherever helium was an all-state shot and hoops subordinate successful precocious schoolhouse earlier going to WVU. He walked connected and started astatine antiaircraft backmost successful 1981, earlier earning letters from 1982 to 1984. Rodriguez had a cardinal interception successful WVU's 1984 triumph against Penn State, which ended a 29-year losing streak to the Nittany Lions. Rodriguez had 54 vocation tackles and 3 interceptions arsenic a backup safety.

Kalani Sitake, BYU Cougars: An all-state precocious schoolhouse moving backmost successful Missouri, Sitake came to BYU and played fullback for Hall of Fame manager Lavell Edwards. He started 3 seasons and served arsenic squad skipper successful 2000, Edwards' last twelvemonth arsenic Cougars coach. Sitake had 70 carries, 57 receptions and 752 all-purpose yards successful his career. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals arsenic a escaped cause but did not play due to the fact that of injury.

Jon Sumrall, Tulane Green Wave: A two-time all-state precocious schoolhouse subordinate successful Huntsville, Alabama, Sumrall went to Kentucky, wherever helium earned 3 letters and started astatine mediate linebacker during the 2004 season. He led the squad successful tackles that autumn with 72, portion signaling a sack and an interception.

Mark Stoops, Kentucky Wildcats: Another erstwhile Iowa subordinate nether manager Hayden Fry, Stoops followed his brothers Bob and Mike arsenic Hawkeyes antiaircraft backs. He participated successful 4 vessel games with the Hawkeyes, earned 3 letters and recorded 2 interceptions.

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The 30 best

30. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin Badgers: The speech astir Fickell's diversion vocation has to commencement with wrestling, since helium won 3 consecutive authorities titles successful Ohio and posted a grounds of 106-0. He past played chemoreceptor defender for Ohio State, starting each 4 seasons for the Buckeyes and mounting a squad grounds with 50 consecutive starts successful the mid-1990s. Fickell finished with 206 vocation tackles, including 26 for nonaccomplishment and six sacks, portion adding 2 interceptions.

29. Ryan Beard, Missouri State Bears: Beard was a prima precocious schoolhouse antiaircraft backmost earlier going to Western Kentucky. He doubly earned All-Sun Belt honors with the Hilltoppers, and made the Sun Belt's all-freshman squad successful 2008, erstwhile helium started 10 games and led the squad with 3 interceptions. Beard had a career-high 71 tackles arsenic a inferior and 51 during his elder season.

28. Eric Morris, North Texas Mean Green: A standout precocious schoolhouse receiver, Morris played for manager Mike Leach astatine Texas Tech successful the Air Raid offense. He became a cardinal contributor successful his last 2 seasons and finished with 184 receptions for 1,965 yards and 19 touchdowns. Morris besides earned second-team All-Big 12 honors arsenic a punt returner, averaging much than 10 yards per runback.

27. Justin Wilcox, California Golden Bears: The lad of Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Wilcox, Justin followed the household way and played astatine Oregon aft quarterbacking his precocious schoolhouse to a authorities title. He switched to defence with the Ducks and played safety, country and nickel, and was connected 3 vessel teams. Wilcox earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors arsenic a elder successful 1999.

26. Jay Norvell, Colorado State Rams: Yet different manager with Iowa/Hayden Fry roots, Norvell played information for the Hawkeyes, overmuch similar the Stoops brothers. He became an All-Big Ten subordinate and led the league with 7 interceptions successful 1985, arsenic the squad won the Big Ten and went to the Rose Bowl. Norvell went undrafted successful the NFL but became a "Spare Bear" during the 1987 labour onslaught and appeared successful six games that season.

25. Brent Key, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Anyone who has followed Key's coaching vocation knows he's an unapologetic ex-offensive lineman who loves to RUN THE BAWL. He started astatine defender from 1997 to 2000 nether manager George O'Leary, and earned All-ACC honors arsenic a senior, erstwhile helium besides captained the team. Georgia Tech finished ranked successful the AP Top 25 successful each 4 of Key's seasons there.

24. Barry Odom, Purdue Boilermakers: A precocious schoolhouse prima successful Oklahoma who played moving backmost and linebacker, Odom near the authorities for Missouri and became a productive linebacker for the Tigers. He appeared successful 10 games successful each of his 4 seasons with Missouri, and recorded 362 vocation tackles, which ranks seventh connected the team's all-time list. Odom earned third-team All-Big 12 honors successful 1998 and honorable notation honors successful 1997 and 1999.

23. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Crimson Tide: DeBoer was the Bo Jackson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, shattering University of Sioux Falls squad records successful some shot and baseball. He deed .520 successful 1998 and finished arsenic a .492 hitter with records for average, location runs, hits and RBIs. DeBoer was an All-America wide receiver successful 1996, helping Sioux Falls to its archetypal NAIA Division II nationalist title. As a senior, helium acceptable a squad grounds with 99 receptions for 1,372 yards. DeBoer concisely played professionally successful an indoor shot league.

22. Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois Huskies: Hammock played a cardinal relation successful NIU's emergence nether manager Joe Novak, arsenic helium had consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons successful 2000 and 2001. He earned first-team All-MAC honors successful some seasons, playing up of aboriginal NFL backmost Michael Turner. A bosom information forced him to discontinue from shot successful 2002, but helium finished with 2,432 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.

21. Sam Pittman, Arkansas Razorbacks: One of respective NAIA All-America selections connected this list, Pittman was a standout antiaircraft lineman astatine Pittsburg State successful Kansas. He earned first-team All-America honors astatine extremity and made the all-conference squad 3 times portion putting up record-setting numbers astatine end. Pittman had 46 vocation sacks, including a team-record 22 successful 1982. The Oklahoma autochthonal was a precocious schoolhouse authorities champion successful the changeable put.

20. Mario Cristobal, Miami Hurricanes: He was a first-team All-Big East violative lineman who helped Miami to nationalist titles successful 1989 and 1991. Cristobal earned 4 letters astatine The U and past spent a play arsenic a Denver Broncos escaped cause and 2 successful NFL Europe with Amsterdam.

19. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: A Parade precocious schoolhouse All-American from the Dayton, Ohio, area, Freeman played assemblage shot astatine Ohio State, wherever helium started 37 games astatine linebacker, often alongside James Laurinaitis. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors successful each of his last 2 seasons, and finished with 268 vocation tackles, including 23 for nonaccomplishment and six sacks, arsenic good arsenic 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. A fifth-round NFL draught pick, Freeman spent clip with 3 teams earlier retiring due to the fact that of a bosom condition.

18. Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: A standout jock from West Texas, Cumbie passed up assistance offers to locomotion connected astatine Texas Tech. He played down Kliff Kingsbury and B.J. Symons until 2004, erstwhile helium became the starter and led the federation with 4,742 passing yards, portion signaling 32 touchdown passes and completing much than 65% of his attempts. He earned Holiday Bowl MVP honors aft passing for 520 yards against Cal. Cumbie was named 2006 Rookie of the Year successful the Arena Football League with the Los Angeles Avengers, and led the squad to the playoffs the pursuing year.

17. Trent Bray, Oregon State Beavers: Bray grew up astir shot arsenic his father, Craig, was a longtime assemblage manager successful the Northwest. He past followed his dada to Oregon State, wherever Trent started 34 consecutive games astatine linebacker. He earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors successful 2005 and second-team honors successful 2004. He ranks sixth successful squad past with 337 vocation tackles.

16. Jeff Brohm, Louisville Cardinals: Brohm is connected the Mount Rushmore of shot successful his hometown of Louisville. A backmost for Trinity High, Brohm was named Kentucky precocious schoolhouse subordinate of the decennary for the 1980s, and won Kentucky Mr. Football successful 1988. He past started 3 seasons astatine Louisville, doubly earning squad MVP honors and passing for 5,451 and 38 touchdowns. Brohm inactive ranks among the school's apical 10 successful astir large passing categories. He past played 8 NFL seasons but saw the tract rarely, earlier earning first-team All-XFL honors with the Orlando Rage successful 2001.

15. Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs: Smart was a prima precocious schoolhouse information for his father, Sonny, a longtime Georgia precocious schoolhouse coach, earlier coming to Athens to play for the Bulldogs. Kirby lettered successful each 4 seasons arsenic a ball-hawking antiaircraft back, and had astatine slightest 1 interception per year. He earned first-team All-SEC designation arsenic a elder successful 1998. He had six interceptions successful 1997 and 5 -- tops successful the SEC -- during his elder season. Smart's 13 vocation interceptions ranks sixth successful squad history. He went undrafted and went to a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts earlier entering coaching.

14. Michael Desormeaux, Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns: Desormeaux had a memorable playing vocation successful confederate Louisiana, archetypal arsenic an all-state backmost from New Iberia, and past astatine the University of Louisiana, past Louisiana-Lafayette. He became an all-purpose prima and dual-threat quarterback, earning All-Sun Belt honors 3 times, mounting the squad single-season passing ratio grounds and being named Sun Belt Player of the Year successful 2008. He became lone the eighth FBS backmost to grounds consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and finished with 3,893 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, and 2,843 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Desormeaux played concisely connected NFL and CFL signifier squads aft his assemblage career.

13. G.J. Kinne, Texas State Bobcats: A decorated precocious schoolhouse backmost from Texas, Kinne began his assemblage vocation astatine the University of Texas earlier transferring to Tulsa. He became a three-year starter for the Golden Hurricane, earning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors successful 2010. Kinne was a second-team all-league enactment successful 2011 and finished his Tulsa vocation with 9,472 passing yards and 81 touchdowns, eclipsing 2,700 passing yards and 20 touchdowns successful each 3 years helium played there. He spent 2012 to 2016 bouncing astir the NFL, CFL and Arena League but seldom seeing the field.

12. Kyle Whittingham, Utah Utes: A manager synonymous with Utah shot initially had much connections to archrival BYU. Whittingham grew up successful Provo and starred for Provo High School and past BYU, wherever helium racked up 240 tackles successful his last 2 seasons. In 1981, helium was named WAC Defensive Player of the Year aft signaling 7 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions and 9 backmost hurries. Whittingham played successful the archetypal 4 Holiday Bowls, earning Defensive MVP honors successful 1981. He spent clip with 2 USFL teams and was a replacement subordinate for the Los Angeles Rams successful the 1987 NFL labour strike.

11. Timmy Chang, Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors: College shot fans of a definite property undoubtedly retrieve staying up precocious to ticker Chang dissect defenses astatine aged Aloha Stadium. A prolific backmost successful manager June Jones' run-and-shoot offense, Chang acceptable Division I records for passing yardage (17,072), full discourtesy (16,901), completions (1,388) and attempts (2,436). Chang earned All-WAC honors 4 times, doubly earned Hawai'i Bowl co-MVP honors and was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He bounced astir the NFL, NFL Europe and CFL aft college.

10. Major Applewhite, South Alabama Jaguars: After an awesome precocious schoolhouse vocation arsenic a backmost successful Louisiana, Applewhite came to Texas, wherever helium made an contiguous interaction for the Longhorns. He earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors successful 1998, erstwhile helium acceptable Texas freshman records for passing yards (2,453) and passing touchdowns (18). Applewhite was named Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year successful 1999 and went 22-8 arsenic Texas' starter, contempt playing down Chris Simms for overmuch of the 2001 season. He near with Texas records for vocation passing yards (8,353), single-season passing yards (3,357 successful 1999) and vocation touchdown passes (60), and inactive ranks successful the apical 5 successful galore categories. Applewhite signed a escaped cause declaration with the New England Patriots but soon discontinue to prosecute coaching.

9. Scott Frost, UCF Knights: A Parade All-America enactment astatine Nebraska's Wood River High School, Frost piled up yards arsenic a dual-threat backmost and besides shined successful hoops and track. But helium started assemblage astatine Stanford, wherever helium played backmost and information earlier transferring backmost home. Frost became Nebraska's QB1 successful 1996 and had 22 touchdowns (13 pass, 9 rush), winning Big 12 newcomer of the year. In 1997, helium became Nebraska's archetypal QB to eclipse 1,000 yards successful some passing and rushing yards arsenic helium helped the squad to a nationalist title. A third-round NFL draught pick, Frost played information for 4 teams successful six years.

8. Trent Dilfer, UAB Blazers: Part of the awesome Fresno State backmost tradition, Dilfer started for 2 and a fractional seasons with the Bulldogs, helping the squad to 3 outright oregon shared WAC titles. He shined successful vessel games against USC and Colorado and won WAC Offensive Player of the Year honors successful 1993, erstwhile helium passed for 3,799 yards and 30 touchdowns. Dilfer besides earned the Sammy Baugh Trophy arsenic the nation's apical quarterback. He skipped his play to participate the NFL, wherever helium was drafted No. 6 and had 20,518 passing yards and 113 touchdowns during a 14-year career. Dilfer made the Pro Bowl successful 1997 and helped the Baltimore Ravens to a triumph successful Super Bowl XXXV.

7. Jonathan Smith, Michigan State Spartans: Smith is 1 of the large underdog stories among existent assemblage coaches. He came to Oregon State arsenic a walk-on backmost from Glendora, California, but took implicit arsenic the Beavers' starter connected Halloween 1998. Smith would commencement the last 38 games of his career, and acceptable Oregon State records for passing yards (9,680), touchdown passes (55) and single-season passing yards (3,053 yards successful 1999). He doubly earned All-Pac-10 honors, doubly served arsenic skipper and led Oregon State to an 11-win play and a No. 4 last AP ranking successful 2000, erstwhile helium earned Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP honors successful a triumph against Notre Dame.

6. DeShaun Foster, UCLA Bruins: A workhorse moving backmost for UCLA, Foster near with the squad grounds for vocation carries (722) and ranked successful the apical 5 for vocation touchdowns (44), rushing yards (3,194) and scoring (266 points). As a elder helium led the Pac-10 successful rushing (138.6 YPG), scoring (9.75 PPG) and all-purpose yards (154.75 YPG). Foster doubly earned first-team all-league honors and was a second-team All-America enactment successful 2001. A second-round draught prime of the Carolina Panthers, Foster played six NFL seasons and had a 33-yard touchdown against New England successful Super Bowl XXXVIII. He was inducted into the UCLA hallway of fame successful 2022.

5. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Cowboys: Gundy led his precocious schoolhouse to a authorities championship, earning Oklahoma Player of the Year honors, and besides excelling successful baseball. He past came to Oklahoma State, wherever helium started each 4 seasons and began his vocation with 138 walk attempts without an interception, past an NCAA record. In Gundy's last 2 seasons, playing alongside moving backs Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State went 20-4 and won 2 vessel games. He finished arsenic the Big Eight's vocation person successful walk yards (8,473) and full discourtesy (8,272 yards).

4. Steve Sarkisian, Texas Longhorns: As an undersized precocious schoolhouse quarterback, Sarkisian wasn't recruited heavy and started his assemblage vocation arsenic a USC shot player. He past went to El Camino College, wherever helium resumed football. Sarkisian became a inferior assemblage All-American successful 1994 and acceptable a juco grounds for completion percent (74.2), portion besides playing baseball. His adjacent halt was BYU, wherever helium had large occurrence arsenic a two-year starter, earning All-WAC honors arsenic a inferior and being named WAC Offensive Player of the Year and a second-team All-American arsenic a senior. That fall, helium won the Sammy Baugh Trophy arsenic the nation's apical quarterback, led the federation successful passer standing and finished with 4,027 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. Sarkisian helped BYU (14-1) to a No. 5 finish. He past played 3 seasons successful the CFL, starting successful 1999 for Saskatchewan.

3. Josh Heupel, Tennessee Volunteers: Heupel grew up successful South Dakota and was the state's subordinate of the twelvemonth successful precocious school. But without a wide way to commencement for a large assemblage program, helium archetypal went to Weber State, wherever helium went done an ACL wounded and appeared successful lone 4 games earlier transferring wrong the authorities to Snow College. Heupel earned inferior assemblage All-America honors determination earlier transferring to Oklahoma. He instantly made his beingness known successful 1999 with 3,850 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. Heupel past led the Sooners to a nationalist rubric successful 2000, signaling 3,606 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. He was named AP Player of the Year, won the Walter Camp Award and statement All-America honors, and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. A sixth-round NFL draught prime successful 2001, Heupel didn't spot clip successful the pros.

2. Eddie George, Bowling Green Falcons: The statement betwixt George and Deion Sanders for the apical spot gave these rankings a amusive caller flavor. Sanders' wide diversion exploits gave him the edge, but helium doesn't person a Heisman Trophy. George captured the 1995 Heisman aft a monster play with Ohio State: 328 carries for a team-record 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns, portion adding 47 receptions for 417 yards. A monolithic subordinate recruited by immoderate colleges to play linebacker, George had 12 consecutive 100-yard rushing performances successful 1995 and swept the Heisman, Maxwell, Walter Camp and Doak Walker awards. He had 1,442 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns arsenic a junior, and was a College Football Hall of Fame inductee. A first-round NFL draught prime successful 1996, George won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and made 4 Pro Bowls. He joined Jim Brown arsenic the lone moving backmost to eclipse 10,000 rushing yards portion ne'er missing a start.

1. Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes: One of the top American athletes of the past 50 years, Sanders did it each and did it good astatine Florida State. He earned first-team All-America honors successful his last 2 years aft being named a third-team All-American successful 1986. He captured the Jim Thorpe Award arsenic the nation's apical antiaircraft backmost and had 14 vocation interceptions, 4 pick-sixes, led the federation successful punt returns successful 1988 and had 1,429 vocation punt instrumentality yards with 3 touchdowns. Sanders besides starred successful shot and way for Florida State. He played successful the NFL from 1989 to 2005, earning All-Pro honors six times and being named antiaircraft subordinate of the twelvemonth successful 1994. The Pro and College Football Hall of Famer besides played portions of 9 seasons successful Major League Baseball.

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Who ne'er played (13)

Scott Abell, Rice Owls: Abell played some shot and shot increasing up but went the shot way astatine Longwood College, wherever helium started astatine catcher connected a squad that reached the Division II World Series semifinals. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals successful the 37th circular of the 1992 amateur draft, Abell spent 2 seasons successful the insignificant leagues.

Manny Diaz, Duke Blue Devils: Diaz grew up successful Miami, wherever his begetter Manny was an lawyer and aboriginal served arsenic politician from 2001 to 2009. The younger Manny Diaz played football, hoops and shot successful precocious school, wherever helium earned designation from the Miami Herald arsenic a standout scholar-athlete. Diaz went to Florida State but did not play. He spent clip successful sports media, concisely moving arsenic a accumulation adjunct astatine ESPN, earlier entering coaching.

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State Sun Devils: Dillingham began coaching arsenic a 17-year-old successful precocious schoolhouse aft an ACL teardrop ended his playing career. He coached the inferior varsity squad astatine his precocious schoolhouse earlier coming to Arizona State, wherever helium didn't play but continued coaching astatine his precocious school.

Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri Tigers: The Arkansas autochthonal earned all-state and all-conference designation arsenic an undersized linebacker for Alma High School. He went connected to Arkansas Tech but didn't play there, earning world honors and serving arsenic pupil assemblage president.

Sonny Dykes, TCU Horned Frogs: The lad of longtime Texas Tech shot manager Spike Dykes, Sonny played backmost successful precocious school, arsenic good arsenic baseball. But erstwhile helium came to Texas Tech, helium ended up connected the diamond arsenic a archetypal baseman for the Red Raiders successful 1989 and 1990. Dykes really began coaching shot earlier pivoting to football.

Jedd Fisch, Washington Huskies: Fisch grew up successful New Jersey but did not play football. An all-state tennis subordinate successful precocious school, helium began coaching precocious schoolhouse shot arsenic a pupil astatine Florida, portion besides moving for Hall of Fame manager Steve Spurrier. Fisch besides was roommates with existent Philadelphia Eagles wide manager Howie Roseman astatine Florida.

Hugh Freeze, Auburn Tigers: The lad of a precocious schoolhouse manager successful Independence, Mississippi, Freeze was ever astir football. But helium didn't play the athletics astatine a precocious level, alternatively playing shot astatine Northwest Mississippi Community College, wherever helium earned world All-America honors successful 1990. Freeze aboriginal transferred to Southern Miss but didn't play shot there.

Alex Golesh, South Florida Bulls: Golesh was calved successful Moscow (the 1 successful Russia, not Idaho) and came to the United States astatine property 7, archetypal surviving adjacent New York and past Dublin, Ohio. Golesh played precocious schoolhouse shot there, earning 3 letters, but did not play successful assemblage astatine Ohio State.

Blake Harrell, East Carolina Pirates: Harrell attended Western Carolina but did not play there, and alternatively joined the coaching unit arsenic a pupil adjunct for the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

Joey McGuire, Texas Tech Red Raiders: McGuire's coaching roots tally heavy successful his location state, archetypal arsenic a precocious schoolhouse manager earlier joining the assemblage ranks astatine Baylor and present Texas Tech. But McGuire didn't play shot astatine Texas-Arlington, arsenic helium seemed headed for a vocation successful medicine oregon pharmaceuticals earlier deciding to prosecute shot coaching instead.

Ryan Silverfield, Memphis Tigers: He was a standout defender for The Bolles School, a precocious schoolhouse powerhouse successful Jacksonville, Florida, which earned the nation's No. 1 ranking and won 2 authorities titles. Silverfield earned first-team all-area honors arsenic a senior, but a cervix wounded ended his vocation and helium didn't play assemblage shot astatine Hampden-Sydney, a Division III programme successful Virginia.

Mike Uremovich, Ball State Cardinals: Uremovich grew up extracurricular Chicago and played precocious schoolhouse shot astatine Providence Catholic, wherever helium teamed with existent Ball State antiaircraft coordinator Jeff Knowles. He graduated from Purdue but did not play shot there.

Bryant Vincent, UL Monroe Warhawks: Vincent grew up successful Kentucky and played sports astatine Glasgow High School. He spent a semester astatine Western Kentucky earlier transferring to West Alabama, wherever helium joined the shot program. Vincent past became a pupil adjunct successful shot and pursued coaching.