The 25 greatest players in SEC football history

The "Ol' Ball Coach" is a College Football Hall of Famer as both a player and coach. Before he guided the Gators to the 1996 national championship, he was the first University of Florida player to win the Heisman Trophy. That came in 1966 when Spurrier led the Gators to a 9-2 record. It was the second of back-to-back All-American seasons for Spurrier, who also won the Walter Camp Trophy. For his college career, Spurrier threw for 4,848 passing yards with 37 touchdowns. 

Peyton and Eli's old man set the table for quarterback greatness in the Manning family. An Ole Miss and SEC legend, Archie Manning threw for more than 4,700 yards in his three seasons with the Rebels and is considered one of the league's most prolific passers of his time. He also rushed for more than 823 yards with 25 touchdowns. In 1969, Manning was named SEC Player of the Year and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Manning is Tennessee's all-time leader in passing yards (11,201), wins by a quarterback (39), 300-yard passing games (18), passing touchdowns (89), attempts (1,381) and completions (863). He won the Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Award and Maxwell Award. Manning was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1997. During his time at Tennessee, Manning was named SEC Freshman of the Year, Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year. He then went on to win two Super Bowls, make 14 Pro Bowls and set NFL records for single-season passing touchdowns (55) and passing yards (5,477). 

Tebow is Florida's third and most recent Heisman Trophy winner, and the first sophomore to claim that honor. Tebow led the Gators to two national titles (2006, '08), was a two-time first-team All-American, won the Maxwell Award twice, and was the SEC Player of the Year on two occasions. Tebow ranks among the school's top 10 for passing yards (9,285), touchdowns (88), and rushing yards (2,947). He's the SEC's all-time leader with 57 rushing touchdowns, a College Football Hall of Famer.

Newton's collegiate career began at another SEC power, Florida, but for most fans of the sport, it was not memorable but was highly controversial. However, after a junior college stint, Newton landed at Auburn, where he avoided trouble (though his father, Cecil, did not in terms of his son's recruitment) and helped the Tigers win their only national championship to date. In his one season, Newton won the Heisman Trophy and nearly every other player of the year award, while showcasing his dual-threat talent by throwing for 2,854 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and gaining 1,473 yards on the ground with 20 touchdowns.

Manziel helped Texas A&M usher in its residence within the SEC in grand fashion. Albeit on an individual front. However, the Aggies went 20-6 during their first two seasons in the SEC, both with Manziel at the helm. In 2012, Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, and in his two collegiate seasons passed for 7,820 yards with 63 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, and also rushed for 2,169 yards with 30 scores. The SEC Player of the Year in 2012, Manziel was named the league's Male Athlete of the Year in 2013.

Following three seemingly lost years at Ohio State, Burrow became a star at LSU. During his first season as a starter in 2018, Burrow threw for 2,894 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions during a 10-3 season. However, it was 2019 when Burrow solidified himself as college football's best player and an LSU legend. Burrow led the country in completion percentage (76.3), passing yards (5,671), passing touchdowns (60), and passer rating (202.0) as the Tigers ran the table toward a national championship. He became the school's second Heisman Trophy winner, and those 8,565 yards in two seasons are second-most in school history for a career (and rank among the top 30 all-time in the SEC), while his 76 TD passes sit atop the all-time list.

This is about what Walker, who has become a polarizing figure, did on the field at Georgia, where he's considered by most to be the greatest football player in school history. Walker joins Frank Sinkwich as the only Bulldogs to win the Heisman Trophy (1982). A three-time consensus All-American, Walker helped Georgia win the 1980 national championship and remains the program's leader in several categories. Including rushing yards for a career (5,259, also an SEC record), season (1,891 from 1981 and third in league history) and game (283), plus career rushing touchdowns (49).

When it comes to naming the greatest athlete -- regardless of sport -- in the history of the SEC, Jackson might top that list. The two-sport standout rushed for 4,303 yards during his four seasons at Auburn, which ranks fifth all-time in SEC history. In 1985, when Jackson won the Heisman Trophy, his 1,786 rushing yards were the most in conference history at the time. Jackson's 43 rushing touchdowns still rank among the top 10 in the SEC.

The NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, Smith ranks second in Gators history when it comes to the school's career rushing leader (3,928 yards). An All-American (1989) and three-time All-SEC first-team performer, Smith does hold the top-two spots when it comes to Florida's single-season rushing records -- 1,341 (1987), 1,599 (1989) -- the latter ranks 18th in league history. His 126.7 career average yards per game is also No. 1 at Florida.

McFadden ranks third in SEC history with 4,590 career rushing yards. Improving every. season, McFadden scored 41 times and averaged an impressive 5.8 yards per carry. A two-time winner of the Doak Walker Award (2006,2007), McFadden was also twice named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and could very be the greatest on that side of the ball in Arkansas history. 

Before Hutson earned legendary status with the Green Bay Packers, he was one of the first true football superstars at Alabama. Considered the first modern wide receiver, Hutson earned All-American status twice while playing for the Crimson Tide. Perhaps Hutson's shining moment as an Alabama football player came during the 1934 Rose Bowl, which concluded the season, when he caught six passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns in the 29-13 win over Stanford. 

A member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, Newsome was one of the great college receivers during the 1970s. However, at the pro ranks, Newsome was a standout tight end in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. During his four seasons with the Crimson Tide, though, Newsome totaled 102 receptions for 2,070 yards (averaging 20.3 yards per catch) with 16 touchdowns, and was also among the nation's top return men. The versatile end made a career-best 36 of those catches during the 1977 season. 

Smith was Alabama's third player — and first receiver — in school history to win the Heisman Trophy. He is the SEC's all-time leader in receiving yards (3,965), receiving touchdowns (46), and third in receptions (235). Smith, whose only catch during the national championship contest to conclude the 2017 season was the game-winner, enjoyed arguably the best receiving season in Alabama history, and among the greatest ever by an SEC player, in 2020 with 117 catches, 1,856 yards, and 23 touchdowns. In addition to the Heisman, Smith won the Maxwell, Walter Camp, and Biletnikoff Awards in 2020.

One of the most versatile and celebrated players in Alabama football history, Hannah could very well be the greatest offensive lineman to ever suit up for the Tide, and perhaps in the history of the SEC. Hannah was a two-time All-American who played both tackle and guard. In 1973, Hannah was selected fourth overall by the New England Patriots and enjoyed a stellar NFL career featuring nine Pro Bowl nods and seven appearances on the league All-Pro first-team list.  

An icon and legend in every sense of the word. In terms of his football success, White's legacy was truly born at Tennessee, where he ranks among the school's and SEC's all-time leaders for sacks in a game (four), season (15), and career (32). He also registered 201 solo tackles, 92 assists, and four fumble recoveries at Tennessee. In 1983, White was named SEC Player of the Year after recording 100 tackles (72 solo) and a school record 15 sacks. The All-American, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002, retired as the NFL's all-time sacks leader with 198, and is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pollack joins Herschel Walker as the only two Georgia football players named a three-time first-team All-American. A two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and overall Player of the Year (2002, '04), Pollack is the school's all-time sacks leader with 36. He recorded 14 in 2002 and 12 1/2 during the 2004 campaign. In 2004, Pollack essentially cleaned house when it came to winning major national defensive honors, taking home the Bednarik, Hendricks, and Lombardi Awards, as well as the Lott Trophy. 

Anderson's three seasons at Alabama certainly register among the best by any Crimson Tide or SEC player, regardless of position. In 2021, Anderson recorded 17.5 sacks, good for third all-time in school history. His 34.5 tackles for loss from 2021 are the second-most in a season by a Crimson Tide player, and they were a major reason the All-American was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and won the Nagurski Trophy. Anderson again won both honors while recording 10 sacks and 17 TFLs. Anderson, a two-time first-team All-American and Bednarik and Lombardi Award winner, ranks second in program history and among the SEC leaders with 34.5 career sacks. 

Jordan was an All-American selection and fourth-place Heisman Trophy finisher in 1962. He has been considered one of the fiercest defenders in college football history. According to the University of Alabama, legendary Crimson Tide coach Paul "Bear" Bryant said of Jordan: "If they stay inside the boundaries, Lee Roy will get 'em." During Alabama's Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma to conclude the '62 season, Jordan was credited with a remarkable 31 tackles.

Lowe is one of two Alabama players to be named a three-time All-American during their college career. The College Football Hall of Famer ranks among the program's leaders with 315 career tackles, and his 134 from the Crimson Tide's 1973 national championship season still rank No. 1 in school history. In addition to being a key member of that national title team, Lowe was part of four SEC championship teams while at Alabama. 

Among the school's all-time leaders in tackles for loss (41) and total tackles (287), Bennett was named an All-American three times while at Alabama (joining Woodrow Lowe as the only two Crimson Tide players to accomplish such a feat). That includes his unanimous selection in 1986, when he recorded 10 of his career 15 sacks, and was named SEC Player of the Year, as well as winning the Lombardi Trophy. Bennett is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Thomas could very well be the greatest defensive player in the history of the Alabama football program, and perhaps the SEC. There's at least no argument when claiming Thomas is the league's all-time greatest pass rusher. In his four college seasons, Thomas set school and conference records with 52 sacks, as well as 68 tackles for loss. His 27 sacks in 1988 (when the All-American won the Butkus Award) and 18 from '89 rank as the No. 1 and No. 2 single-season sack totals at Alabama.

During the early portion of his Georgia career, Bailey was known for his defensive excellence. That remained the case the rest of his run with the Bulldogs, but he also became one of the most versatile talents in the college game by the time he left Athens. In his final college season in 1998, Bailey posted 52 tackles (four for loss), intercepted three passes for a second straight season, and broke up 10. That was on defense. The all-SEC first-team selection also caught 47 passes and led the team with 744 receiving yards and five touchdowns, and he averaged 21.8 yards per kick return en route to earning All-American status and winning the Nagurski Trophy.

The "Honey Badger" had his issues during a relatively brief run at LSU, notably with substance abuse. However, as a true freshman in 2010, Mathieu recorded nearly 60 tackles, with 4 1/2 sacks and two interceptions. He was even better in 2011, posting 77 tackles, two interceptions, forcing five fumbles, and recovering four fumbles en route to winning SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He also took two punts back for touchdowns. Mathieu ended up winning the Bednarik Award and was a Heisman Trophy finalist in what proved to be his final collegiate season. 

The first LSU player to win the Heisman Trophy (1959). Cannon certainly made some questionable decisions off the field, before and after starring at LSU, but he was a versatile force on the gridiron. He helped lead LSU to the 1958 national championship. Then, during his 1959 Heisman season, Cannon delivered one of the most famous moments in LSU football history. With the Tigers down 3-0 to Ole Miss, Cannon fielded a punt at his own 11-yard line, then broke seven tackles on his way to a touchdown return and eventual LSU victory. A College Football Hall of Famer, the two-time SEC Player of the Year rushed for 1,867 yards and recorded 24 rushing touchdowns as a Tiger. He also caught 31 passes for 522 yards with two touchdowns and returned 31 punts for 349 yards and 21 kickoffs for 616.