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
ref
October 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
In my humble opinion, Bo was better. I was lucky enough to have seen them all, and they are all incrediable. Bo was a so unique with speed and power, and no one had ever seen someone that size run that fast. Its much more common these days. What I like most about this discussion, is it appears that all three, Bo, Waker and Tebow seem to be even better people than they were (or are) football players. Its not very often you can say that about the top atheletes these days.
GoVols
October 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
I’m wondering if the QB from USC may surpass them both. What an incredible freshman year he’s having and he seems to fit perfectly into Carroll’s scheme.
Wesley Wallace
October 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
Don’t forget, Herschel Walker, when he was in high school, went to class, then practice. Tebow played for Nease High School, but he got up in the morning, and went to the gym, and then his mom said he was home schooled; home cookin in you ask me. In Florida, you can play for the public school you would have gone to if you were not at the gym.
Ed
October 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
Tebow at least benefits from a diverse offense – he might run, throw, or hand it to a back on any given play. With Herschel, unless it was 3rd and long, you knew what was coming. The only question was whether the play was going to the left or to the right. Sometimes Georgia only threw the ball 10-15 times back then, and not always effectively.
Yet he still dominated. Someone mentioned the Penn State game. I remember how happy PSU was to hold Herschel to “only” 100 yards or so, which tells you how great he was. But Penn State keyed so heavily on Herschel in that game, it actually opened up the passing game for once. Herschel was a force even when he was limited. Georgia scored 23 points I recall – not bad back then. It was the defense that let us down in that game. If Blackledge didn’t connect on that late bomb, we wouldn’t be talking about Curt Warner.
richard cranium
October 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
WHO FREAKIN’ CARES ??
I guess there’s nothing else to talk about with a team that’s getting ready to lose for the 4th time.
Shankit
October 26th, 2009
3:40 pm
Charlie Trippi
Two time all American
Maxwell Award Winnder
Most Valuable player in l942 Rose Bowl.
Two years eollegiate interruption for service during World War 2
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
Won NFL national championship with Cardinals
Played halfback, quarterback, punter, punt returner in the NFL
Only Hall of Fame Player with over 1000 yards passing, receiving and rushing.
Bo
October 26th, 2009
3:41 pm
Walker was lucky to be playing in the South in an inferior conference. In Michigan, he would have simply been a part time player. Admittedly the SEC is much better than it was in the eighties.
Astro
October 26th, 2009
3:41 pm
I don’t know why Hershel is thought of so highly around here. He lied to his coaches and teammates when he signed with the USFL.
Tebow isn’t in the top 100 college players of all time, much less No.1.
Shane
October 26th, 2009
3:42 pm
THE CATHOLIC HAMMER
ESPN said Herschel was the best. I guess they only cater to southerners as well.
Ryan
October 26th, 2009
3:42 pm
Is it me or Does this just seem like an apples and oranges argument? They play different positions. It’s like arguing that Bo Jackson was better than Steve Young. What’s the point?
Herschel W.
October 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
I bet Herschel could outrun Charlie Trippi.
Shane
October 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
Walker was lucky to be playing in the South in an inferior conference.
The SEC has never been an inferior conference. Its just that now with all the media exposure nobody can hide from that fact. The big ten cant hide these days like they could in the 80’s
Joe Hamilton
October 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
I’m shocked that I’m not included in this discussion about the greatest college football player ever. Maybe being academically ineligible took me out of the discussion.
Gator Gum
October 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
Suck it Nerd, a colon is not grammar, it is punctuation.
Todd
October 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
I like what Dawgs73 said.. it’s Monday of FL/UGA week and this is the story you are dragging out to stir the pot? My vote for Tuesday’s article: Best Tan Ever? Mark still No.1
Mikey
October 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
Go back to the top of the page and look again at the pic of Herschel and the Gator on the ground. Does one player have the other gator’s helmet in his hands? Hope his head wasnt still in it….
Vince
October 26th, 2009
3:46 pm
Sorry Joe. You should have picked Athens instead of Atlanta for that degree.
Suck it Nerd
October 26th, 2009
3:46 pm
Wesley
Come on, Tebow seems to be a great guy, even if you’re not a gator fan. I am not. He had to qualify to get into UF, say what you want about universities lowering statndards, you still have to be able to get in and continue to qualify academically.
I don’t think he’s as good as some other players who are mentioned in this thread but he’s probably the best all around player in the game today. He’s also got the ability to rally the team around him. Those players are good, but he makes them a better team.
Erk
October 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
Greatest Collegian Ever? Tracy Hamm without a doubt, not even close.
John
October 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
Tebow may win two heismans and 3 national championships. Sorry but he has mean more to his team and definitely been more successful when it comes to winning games and national championships.
John
October 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
Tebow may win two heismans and 3 national championships. Sorry but he has meant more to his team and definitely been more successful when it comes to winning games and national championships.
Al
October 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
Does Tebow have multiple personality disorder like Hershel?
yankeedawg
October 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
If I remember correctly if Walker was endeared to the sportscasters as mush as ST Tm he would have one the Heisman all three years! I can not recall Walker bringing so much attention to himself after plays like St Tim does and not flagged. It is also strange that all the bad calls have beeb in favof of LSU and FLorida. Florida should have lost two games already Arkansa and MSU.
Two- Bits. Four- Bits.....
October 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
Walker’s first game and carries are college football lore. Walker NEVER lost to a SEC team. 1 undefeated season.3 losses to 2 N-C, the other #2.But on the football field this is what defines the two. Walker after scoring a touchdown trots over to the official and hands him the ball[still the coolest thing I've ever seen],Tebow get’s a big first down an gets up arms waving to the crowd, get up [ look at me ]. Fla. is 7-0 because their defense is outstanding, not because of the cheerleader.
yankeedawg
October 26th, 2009
3:49 pm
If I remember correctly if Walker was endeared to the sportscasters as mush as ST Tm he would have one the Heisman all three years! I can not recall Walker bringing so much attention to himself after plays like St Tim does and not flagged. It is also strange that all the bad calls have beeb in favof of LSU and FLorida. Florida should have lost two games already Arkansas and MSU.
Erk
October 26th, 2009
3:49 pm
Close 2nd, Adrian Peterson-GSU.
Shankit
October 26th, 2009
3:50 pm
BO
What nerve, inferior SEC conference, if Herschel played with Michigan he would
have been a part time player?
I think Georgia made a trip to Ann Arbor long before Herschel and we kicked
your arse.
Also, check the recent last ten years bowl records since Herschel against
Big Ten teams, two wins over Ohio State, two wins over Michigan STate, two
wins over Wisconsin (and Ron Dayne) and two wins over Purdue.
If Georgia were to move to the Big Ten conference we would be a world power
like ya’ll and Ohio State think you are.
yankeedawg
October 26th, 2009
3:50 pm
sorry about spelling.
styles
October 26th, 2009
3:50 pm
How about Eric Dickerson…not too shabby!!
dap01
October 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
Tebow did not start as a freshman (1 year), he lost 4 games his second year (not a NC – 2nd year), he had a championship team and won it his third year.
He floated those interceptions like a 7th round pick on Saturday.
greg
October 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
Tebow isn’t even the best QB to play at UF! That distinction falls to one Danny Wuerful (sp?)
egeagle
October 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
Tebow and Bo would have to team up to carry Herschel’s jock. How many of Tebow’s TD’s came on one-yard dives in the fourth quarter of a game the Gators were leading by 20 or more? HW never knew the pain of losing to Fla, but how does Timmy feel about ‘07? And if either one ever took the hits, legit and late, that HW took, neither might have seen a senior season. HW wasn’t a showboat player, he just handed the ref the ball. HW never lost to Auburn, either. He did ask Dooley for one more crack at Tech when their players were spitting on him in ‘81 (at Tech)
If UGA plays to its capabilities this week and upsets Florida, do you realize that Timmy’s record as a starter vs. UGA would be the same as another jealous Gator? That’s right, SOS, otherwise known as Bill Stanfill’s punching bag.
But all of you did miss Tracy Ham.
App State had some interesting stats the other day; Armani Edwards, their senior QB, has better numbers than Tebow, and a victory over Michigan to boot.
Shankit
October 26th, 2009
3:52 pm
Like comparing Hank to The Babe.
You got to consider Hank had a couple thousand
more at bats, and didn’t have 25% of his at bats
base on balls.
Shane
October 26th, 2009
3:54 pm
And Tebow leads far and away in unnecessary operations performed
dap01
October 26th, 2009
3:54 pm
Al, you are a idiot!
Shankit
October 26th, 2009
3:56 pm
I still would take Trippi in a golf match over Herschel.
Talk about an 80 year old with fire in his belly and hates
to lose?
If we could just instill this into our present day players.
Mark Twain
October 26th, 2009
3:57 pm
Tenessee just scored again…… Tebow outclasses AND has outplayed Walker…… Tenessee just scored again….
RHR
October 26th, 2009
3:58 pm
Tebow may win two heismans
Thru the 3rd Saturday in October, he’s thrown 3 TDs and 4 INTs in 5 SEC games. He thew 2 TD’s for Mississippi State Saturday night. Unless he picks his cape up from the cleaners immediately he’s about as likely to win the Heisman this year as I am.
Shane
October 26th, 2009
3:59 pm
Miami just scored again ….. your nuts …….. Miami just scored again
chin music
October 26th, 2009
4:00 pm
sorry, i don’t know who it was, but someone on the previous page mentioned matt barkley from usc. he definitely looks like the real deal, but he’s got the skills and size nfl teams drool over. there’s no way he stays four years, so he won’t have a chance to put together a tebow-style resume.
sidewalk74
October 26th, 2009
4:00 pm
When the current UGA team stinks mine-as-well talk about the glory days from 29 years ago. HA HA HA
THWG
H1022
October 26th, 2009
4:01 pm
Walker is not even the best dog player ever. Trippi is.
Wesley Wallace
October 26th, 2009
4:01 pm
I really like watching FL play, but all my friends down in JAX agree that Tim should have gone to class.
Bo
October 26th, 2009
4:01 pm
11 National Championships
woodie
October 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
This is not fair. Tiger Woods can’t run with the ball.
icedawg
October 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
Who really knows who the best player of all times is? Arguments can be made for a range of players. If the world still exists in 2199 and college football is still being played you can be certain that Tim Tebow or anyone who has played college football prior to that current generation will be forgotten or not given much attention. In our postmodern world if something is six hours old it is considered irrelevant.
thedogcatcher
October 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
Bo Jackson was truly a gifted athlete. Did you know that he is still the only man in NFL history to have 2 or more carries from the line of scrimmage of over 90 yards? He also ran a 4.1 40, keeping up with Olympic sprinters. He also still holds a couple of records for the longest home run balls in a couple of stadiums (and who could ever forget the time he broke the bat over his knee in frustration. I also saw him hit a homerun against GT, in which he hit the centerfield lights – which at that time (still may be) – the longest home run shot at GT. Also – Bo hit three homeruns in 1985 against GA, which at that time (don’t know if it still stands), one of homeruns was the longest ever hit at Foley Field – hitting the lighting there. To bad Bo couldn’t play baseball the next year; he was declared ineligible because he took a flight to Tampa for an examination for the TB Buccaneers.
I was there when Auburn beat GT (17-14) on a big run down the sidelines late in the game in 1985; I just knew that he wasn’t going to make it – because a couple of Tech defenders had the angle on him – but BO seemed to kick into hyper-drive and blew right past them. In that same year, Bo would set the single season average rushing record per carry – averaging 6.4 yards a carry. One thing people forget is that though Herschel (who – by the way – I deeply admire – so these comments are meant to take anything away from or dis Herschel) the year he set the SEC record of rushing (which is 1,891 yards in 1981) he did it on 385 rushing attempts (which is also a record) – giving him an average of 4.91 yards a carry. In 1985 Bo became second to Herschel with 1,786 yards – but on just 278 carries – which is 6.42 yards per carry.
For Herschel’s career at UGA, he averaged 33 carries a game for an average of 5.29 yards per carry. Bo averaged just 17.1 carries a game for a career avg at Auburn of 6.62 yards per carry. Once again, not taking anything away from Herschel. But I think as over all athlete goes it has to be Bo.
T
October 26th, 2009
4:06 pm
Tebow has one NC. Not two. Leak was the starter and got nearly all the minutes in ‘06. If anything…Tebow was a distraction to that team and to Leak.
bvillebaron
October 26th, 2009
4:07 pm
shankit:
There is no comparison between Hank and the Babe. The Babe played when only white players were allowed to play. Aaron played after the color barrier was broken and ALL of the best players were finally allowed to play. (How many games did Satchel Paige win when he finally was allowed to pitch in the big leagues when he was almost 50?)
Aaron also played before the talent was watered down with all of the teams that play today.
SamInAtlanta
October 26th, 2009
4:07 pm
I’m a big jacket fan, however, H Walker is the best college football player I every saw. Period.