Best collegian ever? Tebow No. 2, Herschel still No. 1
Tim Tebow is the greatest collegian of the 21st Century. But the greatest collegiate player ever? Not quite. That distinction falls to a man who played for the other side in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, and I speak of …
Zippy Morocco.
OK, I’m kidding. You know who I mean. As majestic as he was against everybody, Herschel Walker was never so splendid as those three afternoons in Jacksonville. He rushed for 649 yards and scored eight touchdowns against the Gators, who were really good each year but lost three times simply because they didn’t have Herschel. (Granted, Lindsay Scott had a bit to do with the 1980 outcome.)
Not since Herschel has the college game seen a force so irresistible as Tebow. He figures to win a second Heisman Trophy on merit. But Herschel played only three seasons before leaving for the USFL, and he won one Heisman and should have had two (he was clearly superior to George Rogers in 1980) and would have had another had he completed his eligibility.
Grand as he is, Tebow hasn’t been the Florida focal point all four seasons. He was the backup/changeup to Chris Leak when the Gators took the 2006 national championship, and in his first season as a starter he won the Heisman but didn’t lift his team to higher heights. The 2007 Gators finished 9-4. The Georgia Bulldogs with Herschel Walker lost three games in three seasons: Two to teams (Clemson and Penn State) that would themselves take national titles, the third to a team (Pittsburgh) that finished No. 2 in the land.
Georgia with Herschel won the 1980 national title, played for the 1982 championship and was still in the hunt until Clemson beat Nebraska in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 1982. Those Bulldogs won three SEC titles at a time when Paul W. Bryant was still coaching Alabama and Patrick F. Dye was getting going at Auburn and Mike Shanahan was coordinating the Florida run-and-shoot.
It would be wrong to suggest Herschel had no help. He didn’t play defense. (He did, however, return kickoffs.) But it’s instructive that Georgia produced only one first-round NFL draftee those three seasons, that being the aforementioned Scott. It finished undefeated in 1980 despite not leading the SEC in any major offensive or defensive category. It won because of No. 34.
From the moment he stepped onto Shields-Watkins Field the night of Sept. 6, 1980, Herschel was the only Dog who mattered. Remember Clemson biting on the handoff to the broken-thumbed Herschel on Labor Day night 1982 and being laid bare on a reverse to Tron Jackson? (No matter that the play was nullified by penalty.) Every defense was set to stop one man, and in 36 games that man rushed for more than 100 yards 31 times.
He willed Georgia to the Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame on Jan. 1, 1981, by gaining 150 yards with a separated shoulder on a day when the Bulldogs managed 127 total yards. The Georgia quarterback, name of Benjamin Franklin Belue, completed one pass (in 13 attempts) for seven yards.
Loading ...In 33 regular-season games Georgia managed 13,012 yards from scrimmage. Herschel gained 5,502 of those. He was 42 percent of Georgia’s offense without completing a pass. (Though he did once throw the ball. Against Kentucky in 1981. Intercepted.)
You can argue that because Tebow runs and passes he means more to Florida than Herschel meant to Georgia, but you’d be wrong. Tebow has demonstrably more talent around him. He has worked alongside three first-round Gators, with Brandon Spikes and Carlos Dunlap sure to come.
I have no problem calling Tebow the second-best college player ever. But no player lifted a program higher faster than Herschel Walker, the Goal Line Stalker. Georgia was 20-13-1 the three years before he arrived. It was 33-3 the three years he dotted the “I.” Cause and effect. Case closed.
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455 comments Add your comment
dawgster
October 26th, 2009
2:03 pm
Why don’t we ask Bill Bates of the Vols who the best football player is…Tebow is truly a great player, one of the best, i believe he just tied Herschel’s record for career touchdowns, lets not forget thats over a four year time span, Herschel did it in 3 years…Can you imagine what it would have been like if Tebow and Herschel were in the same backfield…Just how could you defend that?
SC Ace
October 26th, 2009
2:05 pm
Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders were fantastic players who could dominate a ball game. Both were also two-sports stars who could have been All-American on defense or offense if they played both ways. I suspect Tebow would too.
reebok
October 26th, 2009
2:05 pm
Tech fan here. Herschel was the greatest college football player I have ever seen.
GeoffDawg
October 26th, 2009
2:07 pm
Garrison Hearst probably did deserve the Heisman in 1982 but finished third. The winner was noodle armed Gino Toretta who went on to be exposed by Bama in the Sugar Bowl while Marshall Faulk who played exactly nobody in college finished second.
Neither has won a National Title
October 26th, 2009
2:09 pm
Sorry all – but neither Tim Tebow or Herschel has ever won a national title. There isn’t one. Georgia won the 1980 AP poll, and Florida under Tebow has won 2 BCS invitiationals.
If Florida wins out, Tebow will have won 3 SEC championships (you know, the things that get decided on the field) in four years. Herschel also won 3 SEC championships, but in only three years…
Techster
October 26th, 2009
2:10 pm
With out a doubt Walker was and still is the greatest college football player of all time! I would have loved to have seen Eddie Lee Ivery run behind a decent line when he played. He was fantastic, but no Herschel.
me
October 26th, 2009
2:13 pm
jim thorpe
Suck it Nerd
October 26th, 2009
2:13 pm
Steven Daedalus
BLASHEMY!!!!
Saw Herschel in person in 1982. Defensive players would actually lay on the ground and try to trip him. It was unbelievable.
leland
October 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
Dear Mr. MB–glad to see you back. Have a good time? How was Valdosta? I heard you could have a really good time there. Your pal, Leland
MightyQuinn
October 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
Best Herschel lines, Volume 1: When asked if he was tired due to so many carries per game; “The ball ain’t heavy.”
secondguesser
October 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
Looking forward to Tim erasing the record if not the memory of the greatest dawg of all!!! Hoping for Superman to end up with 3 NC’s and 2 He15man’s at the end of the year. That should end this silly arguement once and for all!!!
AU man
October 26th, 2009
2:16 pm
Bo Jackson was the superior athlete in comparison to Walker, but Walker was the better football player. Not only was he a special athlete, he also made his team mates better. He elevated the play of his team as whole.
Mark Bradley
October 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
Not sure I went to Valdosta, Leland. Pretty sure I didn’t go anywhere. But thanks for asking.
Tucker
October 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
Interesting how all the players mentioned are from the SEC and the 1980’s on.
Tell The Truth
October 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
I’ll take Herschel. He was just dominating. He lined up in the tailback spot and you knew he was getting the ball and there nothing most defender could do about it, except pray he ran the other way.
MightyQuinn
October 26th, 2009
2:19 pm
Best Herschel lines, Volume 2: The Clemson linebacker who Herschel picked up on a blitz and subseqently knocked him out was noted to have said the week before the game that he “dreamed of hitting Herschel Walker.” When told of this after the game, Herschel said, “Well, I’m just glad I was able to make his dreams come true.”
Dandy Vandy
October 26th, 2009
2:19 pm
GeoffDawg, Hearst “probably” should have won the Heisman? Give me a break! You were making decent sense until that comment. I guess Jay Cutler “PROBABLY” should have won the Heisman too! Some UGA, I did say some, fans are sooo out of touch it is humorous. Everything is about the past. Move on for Christ’s sake!
Pompano
October 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
Did anyone see the ESPN special on the USFL? The Exec w/the NJ Generals that signed Herschel made the comment that Herschel’s people contacted them “Because something had happened and Herschel was not going to be eligible for his final year and could not yet play in the NFL”.
I had never heard that before – anyone else?
Tech fan
October 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
Tebow is Better than Herschel Walker, but Florida will loose Saturday
Larry
October 26th, 2009
2:23 pm
I still remember that sick feeling in my stomach the day Herschel signed with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL. At the time he was gunning for Tony Dorsett’s yardage record of just over 6,000 yards. If he’d played his senior season Herschel would have smashed that record by easily getting over 7000 rushing yards in his career, likely an amount never to be broken.
I wonder if he has any regrets?
Gator Gum
October 26th, 2009
2:23 pm
Hey “Suck it Nerd”, what the hell is “Blashemy”? You are such an ignorant “Dumb-A$$”!!
the real Old Gold
October 26th, 2009
2:24 pm
p.s. I bet Tim Tebow can read a book when he graduates….
GeoffDawg
October 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
DV – instead of just saying that I don’t make sense, why don’t you state your own case at to why Garrison Hearst was such an improbable winner? The stats and the schedules for comparison are all online my friend. Knock yourself out.
PaulDawg
October 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
Even if Tebow wins another Heisman (and I don’t think he will) and wins another NC (and I do think he will), he doesn’t come close to dominating the field on which he plays, and a quarterback has many more ways to do so.
Herschel is the greatest and Tebow may be 2nd, but it’s not even close.
Bradley is correct that Herschel won the Heisman his freshmen year but there were enough old school people voting that George Rogers won, though Walker beat him in every imaginable statistic. Many people didn’t even want freshmen playing, and they voted for Rogers’ career, not that season.
Buckhead Bulldog
October 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
None better then Mr. Walker…..no one is even close!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyKLeXP2XOU
the real Old Gold
October 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
p.p.s. So you’re using stats to debunk my “Bo Jackson is better than Walker” argument, but you won’t use stats to see that Tebow is clearly better than Walker?
Tebow could be a tight end, running back, receiver, QB, DE, Corner, Safety….. and excel at all of those, as he will probably do at one or more in the NFL. The question isn’t “who’s the best RB” because then it’s a toss up/ with argument between Jackson and Walker, both having a sound case. The question is “who’s the best PLAYER” and that my friends/enemies is Tim Tebow.
Go DOGS
October 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
Humble Herschel……total domination….total!
Ed
October 26th, 2009
2:30 pm
Here’s my list, which only counts players I’ve watched since I was old enough to pay attention (’76):
1. Herschel
2. Barry Sanders (really too close to call with Herschel)
3. Marcus Allen
4. Bo Jackson
5. Tim Tebow
6. Tony Dorsett
7. Earl Campbell
8. Dan Marino
9. John Elway
10. Hugh Green
T10. Joe Montana
the real Old Gold
October 26th, 2009
2:31 pm
It’s not bias, it’s opinion. And yours is as slanted as mine, I’m sure.
I grew up in a 100% bulldog household with an aunt and uncle in school/class with Mr. Walker, so if anything my opinion should be slanted the towards him as a favorite. I chose not to be a bulldog fan at an early age, and maybe my bias is toward Jackson because I was old enough to know what was going on when he was playing, but I think he was better all around. But Tebow is the best PLAYER ever. Walker/Jackson the best backs. But then you get into OJ Simpson Adrien P. etc….
Dandy Vandy
October 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
GD, stats are like crabs on a UGA coed, everyone has them! The fact is Hearst was not a game changer! Gino and Marshall were! Go ahead and list the other UGA players that were robbed of the Heisman, since you are such a stat savy guy. Based on stats I’m sure you would say Champ Bailey, Eric Zier, Matt Stafford, David Greene and many more UGA “Greats”.
Devildog
October 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
I have to go with Staubach.
1. He wasn’t surrounded by anything close to the talent around Hushel or Tebow. Compared to Navy, both Georgia and Florida are in the professional class.
2. He and his teammates had to STUDY!!!!! Naval cadets MUST go to class.
3. He served his country for four years after GRADUATION.
4. He went on to prove how great he was by starring with the Dallas Cowboys when the Cowboys were on top.
He’s the epitome of what college athletes should be.
uberVU - social comments
October 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MarkBradleyAJC: Greatest college player? Tim Tebow is No. 2. Guy from UGA is No. 1. http://bit.ly/2kIolK…
the real Old Gold
October 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
Talk about bias.. where’s Calvin Johnson in your list Ed?
gdawginkalamazoo
October 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
Did I ever mention that Bo Jackson hit the longest home run that I have ever witnessed. At Foley Field’s first night game. The damn thing hit the lights (85′ high) in centerfield (402′) ON THE WAY UP! I think they guesstimated 683′ or something like that. It was awesome.
Bryan G.
October 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
the real Old Gold…what is the sound case that Jackson is as good as Walker? I mean, I honestly don’t begrudge anyone for saying Tebow is a better all-time player b/c I think there’s an argument there.
But Herschel’s stats and his teams’ records are so much better than Bo’s that I don’t see the argument. I will certainly yield the floor to you…even though I don’t think it’s even close.
Mark Bradley
October 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
I saw Bo and Herschel in person, Herschel three times, Bo maybe a dozen. Bo was a great running back. Herschel was a transcendent football player.
richtfan
October 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
is this really an issue? herschel is by far and without a doubt the best player of the two and the best I’ve ever seen in either high school or college ball.
and no, it’s not even close.
a. herschel did all of his damage in 3 years
b. herschel dominated even though it was basically a 1-dimensional offense and everybody knew who was getting the ball
c. herschel was by far the most durable player in the history of college football at least in the last century. look at his number of carries, how many hits he took and absorbed and how strong he was at the end of most games.
d. herschel had a rather unspectacular supporting cast. he had to do it on his own much of the time.
e. the best thing about herschel is that he did it all without rah rah–ing all over the place. he was humble to the core and showed class rather than gator chomping, hitting his chest all the time and basically just showboating all over.
Dave In Tampa
October 26th, 2009
2:35 pm
Offenses are so completly different now. I remember watching Walker. Every team would load the box with 8 – 9 players on the line. You knew what was coming, yet most of the time you could not stop him. Bo and Sanders were close, but still not in the same league.
Tebow is awesome as well. However, if a team knew that he was going to run the ball 9 out of 10 times his stats would be totally different. Walker was far superior. I would still take Tebow any day and I’m sure most people feel the same.
happily retired
October 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
I don’t care I would take either one of them on my team, both were/are good.
Valdosta Dawg
October 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Hands down it was and is Hershel Walker!
JaxGator
October 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Tebow should have won the Heisman last year, but Big 12 voters screwed him over. He’ll probably win the Heisman this year and national title, so he should have 3 national titles out of 4 years and 3 heismans out of 4 years—definitely the best player in college football history. Bo and Herschel are next, but no where near Tebow.
Bryan G.
October 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
gdawginkalamazoo…not saying that you WEREN’T there…but based on the number of people who have told that Bo Jackson homerun story, there must have been 25,000 people at Foley Field. lol. (again, I don’t doubt you…but it’s just funny how many people have told me that story)
Shane
October 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
p.s. I bet Tim Tebow can read a book when he graduates….
Ill bet he cant. Have you ever heard him talk? He is a boderline retard. I mean the guy was home schooled which for me throws up a huge red flag.
Delusional Techie
October 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
No way! Joe Hamilton was the best ever!
JacketFan
October 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
My dad played against Hershel his senior year at Tech (was a 3-year-old in white and gold). He said he hit Hershel one time … and that was the last time he ever wanted to hit him. I love my Jackets, but I can’t argue that Hershel is THE greatest collegiate player. Just like Heisman was the greatest coach of the game. No denying that. Tim Tebow is great. He’s exciting to watch. He lifts up his team. True. True. But Hershel Walker was a man among boys. He was just so much head-and-shoulders above the rest. Great article, Mark. It actually gave me chills.
kevin
October 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
I can’t believe we are even debating Tim Tebow as the “best college player of all time”. I can name 10 right off the top of my head that are better “players”….The gators have a good “TEAM” and Tebow plays on that “TEAM”…but he isn’t in the top ten best players…..hell no! Right off the top of my head in no specific order…1. Herschel Walker, 2 Bo Jackson, 3 Barry Sanders, 4. Ricky Williams, 5. L. Tomlinson, 6. Earl Campbell, 7. Tony Dorsett, 8. Archie Griffith, 9. Joe Montana, 10. Deon Sanders…….and thats off the top of my head….i know i missed several more……The debate should be is tebow even in the top ten…..he is no where close to Herschel Walker….only a fottball retard would think so.
OZZFEST
October 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
Basic math always holds true…just ask Ann Sullivan….. 34 > 15
Then, now, always.
Ed
October 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
Old Gold, no bias here. I just don’t happen to think that Calvin Johnson was one of the top-10 players in my lifetime. Who on my list would you knock off and replace with Johnson?
And if bias was my problem, you can bet Tebow wouldn’t be on the list.
The Big E
October 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
I’m wondering why there was ever a question here. Tim Tebow is a great college player, but I’m not sure I’m ranking him in the Top 5 All-Time. Herschel Walker’s “The Man”, no question. I would also rank Bo Jackson, Johnny Rogers, O.J. Simpson, Roger Staubach, Ernie Davis, Jim Brown and Red Grange ahead of Tebow. And that’s just off the top of my head. I can add more with a little thought and research, I’m sure.
Dawgs73
October 26th, 2009
2:40 pm
Mark, it’s a pretty sad state of affairs when we are still holding on to Herschel Walker…dude, that was 29 years ago. What’s the next article going to cover, Furman Bisher as a teen beat writer????