College Football All-Quarter-Century Team

Running Back

Starter: Reggie Bush (USC 2003-05, 2004 and 2005 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, 2x All-American, 2005 Heisman)

Some may argue that Bush is the greatest college football player of the modern era, and it’s hard to disagree. He’s likely the most dynamic, complete running back to step on a college football field this century, and had a season for the ages in 2005.

Bush compiled 2,218 yards from scrimmage, including 478 receiving yards and 1,740 rushing yards on an absurd 8.7 yards per carry. The USC legend ran away with the Heisman that year, capping a career that featured back-to-back national championships and just about every other award a running back can earn. Bush undisputedly makes the College Football All-Quarter-Century team.

Reserves:

Christian McCaffrey (Stanford 2014-16, 2015 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, 1x All-American)

Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin 2017-19, 2x All-American)

Darren McFadden (Arkansas 2005-07, 2006 and 2007 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, 2x All-American)

Wide Receiver

Starters:

Larry Fitzgerald (Pitt 2002-03, 2003 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, 1x All-American)

Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech 2007-08, 2x All-American)

DeVonta Smith (Alabama 2017-20, 2020 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, 1x All-American, 2020 Heisman)

This trio would give defensive coordinators nightmares. Each posted over 90 receptions, 1,600 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns in their best season, with Crabtree and Smith leading the nation in all three categories in 2007 and 2020, respectively. 

Larry Fitzgerald finished as a Heisman runner-up in 2003 and is one of the all-time great wide receiver prospects. Smith took home the award in his senior year — the first receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991 — for the National Championship-winning Crimson Tide.

As just a redshirt freshman, Crabtree thrived in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, posting 134 catches for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns. All three numbers rank in the all-time top 10 for a single season.

Reserves:

Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State 2009-11, 2010 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, 2x All-American)

Amari Cooper (Alabama 2012-14, 2014 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, 1x All-American)

Braylon Edwards (Michigan 2001-04, 2004 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, 1x All-American

Tight End

Starter: Brock Bowers (Georgia 2021-23, 1x All-American)

Looking at individual accolades or team accomplishments, Bowers stands out as the greatest tight end in modern college football history. He was one of the go-to weapons for Georgia when it won consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022, tallying double-digit total touchdowns in both seasons.

Bowers won the John Mackey Award, given to college football’s most outstanding tight end each season since 2000, in his sophomore and junior years. He’s the only player to win the award twice.

Reserves:

Dennis Pitta (BYU 2004, 2007-09, 1x All-American)

Kyle Pitts (Florida 2018-20, 1x All-American)

Offensive Line

LT: Penei Sewell (Oregon 2018-19, 1x All-American)

LG: Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame 2015-17, 1x All-American)

C: Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa 2018-21, 1x All-American)

RG: Landon Dickerson (Florida State 2016-18, Alabama 2019-20, 1x All-American)

RT: Tristan Wirfs (Iowa 2017-19)

This unit resembles an NFL All-Pro team, a testament to how talented these five have been since their college days. Four of the five players here were drafted in the first round, save for Landon Dickerson, who was selected in the second round. 

Sewell won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the best college football interior lineman (though the award has gone to tackles as well, as evidenced by Sewell). Nelson was a unanimous All-American, Linderbaum and Dickerson won the Dave Rimington Trophy (best center in college football), and Wirfs received Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors.

Utility

Tavon Austin (West Virginia 2009-12)

Percy Harvin (Florida, 2006-08)

These two don’t quite fit in at any defined position, but they’re just too electric to leave off the list. Watching Austin’s senior season highlights is basically a rite of passage for college football fans, and for good reason. He amassed 1,289 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, along with 643 yards and 3 more scores on the ground.

He also returned kicks and punts, taking one of each for a touchdown in 2012. Austin was one of the most box-office players the game has ever seen.

The same could be said for Harvin, a mainstay for Florida during their pair of national championships this century. Like Austin, Harvin split his production between the air and the ground, tallying 660 rushing yards and 644 receiving yards with 17 total touchdowns in 2008.

Defense

Defensive End

Starters:

Myles Garrett (Texas A&M 2014-16, 2016 Unanimous All-American, 2015 Bill Willis Trophy)

Terrell Suggs (Arizona State 2000-02, 2002 Unanimous All-American, 2002 Bill Willis Trophy, 2002 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year)

It took Garrett six games to snatch Texas A&M’s freshman record for sacks (5.5). As a sophomore, he had 12.5 sacks to lead the SEC. It was his best college season, as he forced five fumbles en route to earning the Bill Willis award. Garrett’s elite pass rush moves and ability to get to the quarterback had him going No. 1 overall in the 2017 draft.

During his junior year, Suggs flew high, earning 24 sacks and setting the official FBS record. He won five individual awards that year: the Ted Hendricks Award, Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bill Willis Trophy, and Morris Trophy.

Reserves:

Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina, 2011-13, 2011 SEC Freshman of the Year, 2012 SEC Defensive Player of the Year)

Julius Peppers (North Carolina, 1998-2001, North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, 2001 Chuck Bednarik Award)

Defensive Tackle

Starters:

Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska 2005-09, 2009 AP Player of the Year, 1x All-American)

Aaron Donald (Pitt 2010-13, 1x All-American)

Even outside of the 21st Century, these two forces are among the most dominant that have lined up in the middle of the defensive line in college football’s history. Suh punished every offensive line put in front of him, none more so than during his legendary 2009 season. Suh finished fourth in Heisman voting in ‘09, which looking back seems incomprehensible as a defensive tackle. 

He tallied some unreal numbers, and capped it off with 12 tackles, including a Nebraska-record seven for loss, and 4.5 sacks in the Big 12 Conference Championship game against Texas. Suh etched his name into college football lore as one of the most terrifying players of the era. 

Donald, now an NFL legend, was once a bowling ball of a DT at Pitt. Pitt didn’t play on the biggest stages, so many weren’t aware just how dominant Donald was in college. Like most players, Donald’s senior year was his most decorated. 

In 2013, he earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year, the Bronko Nagurski Award for Most Outstanding Defensive Player, led the nation in tackles for loss with 29, and had 11 sacks. Donald has the fourth most tackles for loss in a career since 2005. His bust in Canton was being prepared long before he retired from the NFL. 

Reserves:

Jonathan Allen (Alabama 2013-16, 1x All-American)

Vince Wilfork (Miami 2001)

Linebacker

Starters:

Khalil Mack (Buffalo 2010-13) 

Manti Te’o (Notre Dame 2009-12, 1x All-American)

James Laurinaitis (Ohio State 2005-08, 3x All-American) 

These three players all made their marks at different points in the century, to different levels of acclaim. Mack flew under the radar on a national scale during his career, but the results speak for themselves. 

Since 2005, Mack recorded the most career tackles for loss and fumbles forced. He was a true physical specimen who brought his terror to the Oakland Raiders after being selected No. 5 overall, despite his lack of accolades. 

It’s a shame that Manti Te’o is most likely known for non-football reasons nowadays, since he’s one of the most dynamic defenders the college game has ever seen. He was the leader of the extraordinary 2012 Notre Dame team and its incredible defense. 

Te’o covered amazing amounts of space, filled gaps with fluidity, and led ND all the way to the BCS Championship. Behind Te’o and his acclaimed 2012 campaign, which culminated in a second-place Heisman finish, ND’s defense ranked second in the nation in opponents’ points-per-game at a measly 12.8. Te’o’s 2012 season is the stuff of legend. 

Finally, James Laurinaitis’ accolades do his talking. He was the best player in his position almost every year he played in Columbus. Laurinaitis earned almost every defensive award a player can in his career. He earned four major national awards – no defensive Buckeye has more. 

He was the position of ‘linebacker’ distilled down to one person. Not flashy, not electric, just consistently effective at holding up the spine of a defense. Most important of all his accomplishments? His teams went 4-0 against Michigan. 

Reserves:

Patrick Willis (Ole Miss 2004-2006, 1x All-American) 

Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama 2020-22, 2x All-American) 

AJ Hawk (Ohio State 2002-2005, 2x All-American)

Cornerback

Starters:

Patrick Peterson (LSU 2008-2010, 2010 Jim Thorpe award, 2010 Unanimous All-American)

Morris Claiborne (LSU 2009-2011, 2011 Jim Thorpe award, 2011 SEC Defensive Player of the Year)

As a sophomore, Peterson caught eyes when he recorded a pick-six against Mississippi State. Peterson was the main player on a controversial call where he snagged an interception in front of Julio Jones and Alabama. 

Peterson was ruled out of bounds on the catch, and it ended the chances of the Tigers defeating the Crimson Tide. As a junior, Peterson was utilized as a returner on special teams, winning Special Teams Player of the Week twice and finishing first and second, respectively, in yards per return on punts and yards per return on kickoffs in the SEC.

Right after Peterson won the Jim Thorpe award, Claiborne won it the next year to cap off back-to-back winners from LSU. As a junior, he was first in all of college football with 173 return yards on interceptions. He had a pick-six in the SEC championship game against Georgia. 

Reserves:

Tyrann Mathieu (LSU 2010-11, 2011 Chuck Bednarik Award, 2011 SEC Defensive Player of the Year)

Travis Hunter (Jackson State 2022, Colorado 2023-2024, 2024 Heisman winner, 2024 Lott Trophy)

Free Safety

Starter: Eric Berry (Tennessee 2007-09, 2008 and 2009 Jack Tatum Trophy winner)

Berry was first in the SEC conference in tackles as a freshman. As a sophomore Berry had 487 return yards and two touchdowns on seven picks, which led the country, coming up just 14 yards short of the record for most return yards on interceptions in a season. 

Reserve: Sean Taylor (Miami 2001-03, 2001 BCS national champion, 2003 Jack Tatum Trophy)

Strong Safety

Starter: Ed Reed (Miami 1998-2001, 2x All-American)

Before Ed Reed was mentally tormenting Tom Brady as the Ravens’ S, he was physically tormenting poor college QBs at The U. Reed has the tied-4th-most career interceptions in NCAA history since 1976, led the nation in interceptions per game in 2001, and was among the best players of the iconic 2001 Miami defense. 

Reed was a mastermind in the secondary, able to read and predict the offense surgically. In 2001, The U’s defense led the nation in scoring defense (9.4 ppg), pass efficiency defense (75.60 rating), and turnover margin (+2.36 per game), culminating in the National Championship victory over Nebraska. 

The 2001 Miami Hurricanes were maybe the best team of all time. Of the 38 total Miami players that were drafted to the NFL, 17 of whom were first-rounders, Ed Reed might’ve been the best. 

Reserve: Roy Williams (Oklahoma 2000-01, 1x All-American)

Special Teams

Kicker

Roberto Aguayo (Florida State 2013-15, 1x All-American)

Aguayo’s volume and efficiency convinced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to select him in the second round.

He led the nation in scoring as a freshman for one of the most prolific offenses college football has ever seen. His 157 points that year nearly outscored all of Florida State’s opponents combined — they allowed 170 points — and he holds the sixth-best career field goal percentage in history (88.5 percent). Aguayo also went 198-for-198 on extra points in three years in Tallahassee.

Punter

Matt Araiza (San Diego State 2019-21, 1x All-American)

Araiza routinely flipped the field for the Aztecs and earned the moniker “Punt God.” He averaged a record 51.2 yards per punt in his junior season en route to a unanimous All-American selection and a Ray Guy Award. 

He also shattered the single-season FBS records for 50+ and 60+ yard punts.

Kick Returner

Tony Pollard (Memphis 2016-18)

Pollard was always a threat on special teams, but established himself as an all-time great returner in his sophomore season at Memphis. That year, he took four of his 22 kick returns to the house (tied for second-most ever) and averaged a staggering 40 yards per return (fourth-most ever), leading the nation.

The now-Tennessee Titan is tied for the FBS career record with seven kickoffs returned for a touchdown and averaged the sixth-most kickoff yards per return for his career (30.1).

Punt Returner

Dante Pettis (Washington 2014-17, 1x All-American)

One of the craftiest returners in recent college football history, Pettis had a historic senior season with the Huskies. He led the nation with 428 punt return yards, 20.4 yards per return, and four punts returned for a touchdown (tied for second-most ever). 

His sample size is a bit smaller than other players, with 21 punts returned in his senior year and 90 career returns, but Pettis was as much of a threat for a house call as anyone. His nine career punts returned for touchdowns stand alone as the most ever.

Coaches

Head Coach

Nick Saban (LSU 2000-04, Alabama 2007-23, 7x National Champion)

Who else could it be other than the defining college football coach of the 21st century? Saban was named head coach of the Tigers in 2000 and brought a national championship to Baton Rouge after only three seasons.

20 years later, Saban transformed Alabama into perhaps the most successful program in the sport’s rich history. The College Football Hall of Famer produced 45 Consensus All-Americans and finished with a 201-29 record during his time with Alabama. Saban’s dominance spanned from the BCS to the CFP era, and Alabama claiming the SEC Championship seemed almost certain every year.

Saban has the fifth-most career coaching wins in history and the most national championships ever.

Offensive Coordinator

Lincoln Riley (East Carolina 2010-14, Oklahoma 2015-16)

Riley may not have had a long tenure as a prominent offensive coordinator, but Oklahoma’s productivity on that side of the ball during his two years speaks for itself. The Sooners had a top-five scoring offense in the nation those two years, averaging over 43 points per game.

He won the Broyles Award as college football’s best assistant coach in 2015 and coached an offense that produced NFL talent such as Baker Mayfield, Mark Andrews, Joe Mixon, Sterling Shepard, and Samaje Perine, among others.

As a head coach, Riley established himself as a quarterback guru, becoming the first to guide three signal callers to the Heisman Award (Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams at USC).

Defensive Coordinator

Kirby Smart (Alabama 2008-15, 4x National Champion)

Alongside Saban during the golden days of the Crimson Tide, Smart led some of college football’s most imposing defensive units. Alabama had a top-five defense by points allowed in all but one of Smart’s years with the program (2014, when they ranked 12th). 

Smart claimed the Broyles Award in 2009, but the peak of his time in Tuscaloosa was 2011. The Crimson Tide smothered opponents to the tune of 8.2 points allowed per game. With a wealth of future NFL talent at his disposal, Smart coached a defense that gave up double-digit points in only five games and shut out No. 1 LSU in the BCS Championship that year.