Best CFB Player of this Era

[Appa23]

So, I am watching ESPN, and there is a reporter talking about how this weekend might be Tim Tebow's last home game. She notes that Urban Meyer stated that Tebow is the "best college player of our era." The reporter then remarks, "I don't think that I can argue", noting that he won a national title as a freshman, the Heisman as a sophomore, and perhaps a SEC title as a Junior.

I was pretty sure that I could argue against Tebow being the "best", unless you define "our era" to be the last three years.

So, I am wondering: who do you think is the "best CFB player of our era"?

[I was thinking 1980 to present. However, if I was breaking things into eras, I would do post-WWII to 1969, 1970s & 1980s, and 1990s to present.]

I have maybe 4-5 contenders, many of which you likely could guess.

[macrae1234]

Jim Brown, Bo Jackson and Eddie George

[andrewjackson]

1980 to present:

Herschel Walker

There are a lot of people I could add but they would all be a distant second at best. Barry Sanders would probably be 2nd for me in this era.

[Appa23]

Jim Brown, Bo Jackson and Eddie George

Eddie George wasn't even the best player during his college career.

[DadofTwins]

Tebow isn't even in the top 5 at his position, let alone overall.

QB's since 1980:

1. Tommie Frasier
2. Vince Young
3. Peyton Manning
4. Matt Leinert
5. Doug Flutie

Even limiting it to the state of Florida:

1. Ken Dorsey
2. Charlie Ward
3. Danny Wuerffel
4. Bernie Kosar
5. Vinny Testaverde

[TheCalvinator24]

Tebow isn't even in the top 5 at his position, let alone overall.

QB's since 1980:

1. Tommie Frasier
2. Vince Young
3. Peyton Manning
4. Matt Leinert
5. Doug Flutie

Even limiting it to the state of Florida:

1. Ken Dorsey
2. Charlie Ward
3. Danny Wuerffel
4. Bernie Kosar
5. Vinny Testaverde

I don't necessarily disagree with you basic premise, and I know that Wuerffel was a really good College QB, but I think you're over-rating him a bit.

edited to add an important "dis"

[Appa23]

It appears that Meyer made such a statement during the summer, at an alumni event. (I do not know if he repeated the comment with the reporter this week.)

I thought that maybe a Buckeye fan would mention Orlando Pace. Dave Rimington is another possibility.

I have no idea what to make of Tebow. In some ways, he seems to be Scott Frost with better receivers and lesser running backs.

[TheCalvinator24]

Brian Bosworth was one of the best defensive players I've ever seen.

[danielh41]

Although I was in middle school at the time, I remember marveling at some of the things Earl Campbell did when he had the football.

[danielh41]

Although I was in middle school at the time, I remember marveling at some of the things Earl Campbell did when he had the football.

And now that I really think about it, Campbell played for the Longhorns before 1980. Now I feel old.

[TheCalvinator24]

Brian Bosworth was one of the best defensive players I've ever seen.

I should clarify.

Bosworth was one of the best I ever saw play in college. As a pro, not so much.

Maybe that was because he had to get off the juice when he went to the NFL.

[silvercamaro]

I don't know who the best college player has been. I would give Barry Saunders extra credit for being the single player who was most important to his college team (Oklahoma State.)

Instead, I will reveal (***Unrequited Crush Alert***) my pick for the best-looking college player ever to play the game:



After all, what's important?