Serious question: Is Cam Newton the greatest collegian ever?
Say what you will about him, but he can play the game. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
For a month, the question involving Cam Newton has been, “Did he or didn’t he?” Just for today, let’s try something different. Let’s ask instead: “Is he or isn’t he?”
As in, the greatest player in college football, and not just this year.
As in, the greatest ever.
Said Steve Spurrier, who won the Heisman and who has coached a Heisman winner: “That’s a good question. I don’t like putting anybody at the top, but he might be the best running quarterback probably ever to come through college ball.”
Gene Chizik coaches Auburn, so he doesn’t qualify as a disinterested party. But the same Gene Chizik was the defensive coordinator on a Texas team Vince Young willed to the 2005 BCS title, so he does have standing in the matter. And Chizik, asked if he’d ever seen a better college player than the one he has now, said this:
“No. It’s that simple. If you look over a 13-game span, I’ve never seen anything like it. And it’s running the ball, throwing the ball. Usually great quarterback usually do one or the other better … what God’s blessed Cameron with is the ability to be really, really good at both.”
Then: “We have one game left, so he can’t too big a head with one game left, but I can say he’s probably the best football player I’ve ever seen.”
Said Newton: “Wow.”
We might never know how Cam Newton came to be an Auburn Tiger, but let’s leave that for later. Let’s focus today on Cam Newton, Auburn Tiger. Let’s examine a quarterback who, in one SEC championship game Saturday, managed to replicate the best of what both Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow, Heisman winners from Florida, had done in this event on this field.
Against Spurrier’s Gamecocks, Newton passed for 335 yards and ran for 73. He accounted for six touchdowns — four passing, two running. He converted third-and-longs out of nothing.
The thinking was that South Carolina, having seen Newton in his game-of-arrival Sept. 25, might be better suited to get a hand on the irresistible Cam. Turned out the Gamecocks had no idea. They couldn’t sack him and couldn’t cover his receivers. They couldn’t even prevent him from — another Heisman reference! — pulling a Doug Flutie.
Sixteen seconds left, first half: The Gamecocks draw within 21-14. Newton throws two passes, the first for eight yards, the second for 51-yard deflected touchdown as time expired.
About here, you thought to yourself: “Tim Tebow never did that.”
Yeah, yeah. Nobody ever wondered if Tim Tebow’s daddy put him up for sale, either. But if we’re comparing the two quarterbacks — and it wouldn’t seem fanciful to do so, given that both played in the SEC and ran a spread offense — the sainted Tebow never worked the wonders in any of his four seasons that Newton has wrought in his one.
A year ago — to the day, Newton emphasized — this quarterback was winning a JUCO national championship with Blinn College of Texas. On Saturday he had won the SEC title and booked passage to the BCS title game and done it in his hometown to boot. “Words can’t explain it,” said Newton, meeting the media for the first time since Nov. 9.
Then: “It’s a wonder what God can do in a person’s life, in such quick fashion. I thank Him single every day. As soon as my feet touch [the floor] my knees touch … I can’t even be happier than I am right now.”
Newton began his postgame session by reading a statement: “I’ve done nothing wrong, and I’m only going to answer questions about football and this game.” And ordinarily we hard-nosed media types would have snorted with laughter at such a request. But such was the majesty of Newton’s play that the request seemed almost reasonable.
We can and will spend the month before Auburn plays Oregon in Glendale, Ariz., parsing the latest reports and allegations — and you just know some will be forthcoming — but for this night it was possible to revel in a performer and his performance. And we would like, so as not to leave the question posed above unanswered, to offer this:
Cam Newton is the second-best college player I’ve ever seen. Herschel Walker, and only Herschel Walker, was better. And not by much.
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995 comments Add your comment
J Clay
December 5th, 2010
8:24 am
Surprised to see no votes on here for: Joe “Ginger Ninja” Cox, Joe Tereshinski III, Joey Hamilton, or the latest greatest Joshua “I should be Heisman for real” Nesbitt…
J Clay
December 5th, 2010
8:24 am
That’s funny right there – I don’t care who you are
Buckeye
December 5th, 2010
8:25 am
Pure and simple, until someone wins two Heismans, Archie Griffin remains the greatest. Almighty Tebow had a shot and didn’t get it done.
Oh yea, it’s currently 31 degrees in Memphis. Enjoy Bowl Season, thUGA.
Serious question:
December 5th, 2010
8:26 am
Is Mark Bradley doing drugs?
Asterisk
December 5th, 2010
8:29 am
Auburn – 2010 SEC Championship *
war eagler
December 5th, 2010
8:29 am
Maybe this championship will wake up Atlanta and show the unknowing media and others here just how many AUBURN alumni and fans there are here.
We are very close to AU and do not even have a radio network station here.
WAR EAGLE!!!
Joey
December 5th, 2010
8:30 am
I just wonder if Cam is under “contract” with Auburn for one year or two?
Homepage | MrSEC.com
December 5th, 2010
8:31 am
[...] Mark Bradley: “Cam Newton is the second-best college player I’ve ever seen. Herschel Walker, and only Herschel Walker, was better. And not by [...]
FalconUGAFan
December 5th, 2010
8:36 am
Here’s the problem as many have pointed out..His actions on the gridiron will always be tainted by the actions of his father and possibly himself off the gridiron. Is he the greatest collegian ever?…. An emphatic…NO. Many others have stated it well..He isn’t even the greast frm Auburn…Bo Jackson holds that title. A man of skill and one the school can truly be proud of.
Serious question:
December 5th, 2010
8:36 am
Is Mark Bradley smoking the wacky weed?
McDawg
December 5th, 2010
8:37 am
thats is a pretty good offensive line he is playing behind
porta pottie
December 5th, 2010
8:37 am
Newton is the best college player I’ve ever seen in a regular season, his ‘entire’ career will prove all. Walker had a remarkable high school, college and pro career. Some of the Heisman mentions above went on to be poor NFL players or a cold blooded killer. The first thing I noticed Cam say after the win last night was ‘I’m’ an SEC champion, no mention of the word ‘we’ or ‘our’ team….This says a lot about his true character. I wish him all the luck on his career moving forward.
Asterisk
December 5th, 2010
8:39 am
Mark McGwire breaks Roger Maris’ homerun record. *
Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron’s homerun record. *
USC wins the 2004 national championship. *
Auburn wins the 2010 SEC championship. *
poopdawg
December 5th, 2010
8:45 am
Joey , the contract does not go through the BCS championship game so Cecil will have room to negotiate. Of course Cam does not know. If god is with them then who could be against them?
Atlanta, Ga Auburn Tiger.
December 5th, 2010
8:45 am
Still whining and cryin’ huh. You haters are one pathetic bunch. PUH-THETIC! I can’t even imagine what miserable lives you must have.
Cam is obviously the best college football player of our time and off the field he’s the very epitome of a model citizen. Denying those facts only makes you look like the total morons you are.
War Eagle!
RomeDawg
December 5th, 2010
8:48 am
Mark,
You miss a HUGE point! He is a professional player. However, with that being said top 5…
1. Tim Tebow – This is hard to admit, but for 3 years he was UNBELIEVABLE.
2. Hershel Walker – Dominated other teams. Only 1 NC may hurt his cause.
3. Scam Newton – The best college football player money can buy, if he wins a NC. If not top 6.
4. Vince Young – His NC game may be the greatest game I remember for a player in the NC game.
5. Charles Woodson – No defensive college football player had more of an impact, PERIOD.
sadielovesbama
December 5th, 2010
8:48 am
He may be a great player,but his off field actions leave alot to be desired.I’ve seen a lot of football players in my 63 yrs,but I’ve never seen someone who was so lacking in character or humility. As a life long Barn Hater,I almost feel sorry for them.They have all been drinking the “cammie cam juice” all season.When the hammer comes down on them,$cam will be long gone but he will never be forgotten leaving them w/ a bitter taste in their mouth.Watch the trial for illegal bingo in Alabama featuring Barn lover Milton Macgregor. Answers to ? should be reveled.The FBI, not the NCAA or SEC is in charge here
RosGator
December 5th, 2010
8:49 am
I’ve seen in person Steve Spurrier, Bo Jackson, Hershel Walker., T. Tebow, S. Bartkowski, W. Andrews, T. Nobis, Dominque Wilkins., Peyton M. Dale Murphy, and Chipper Jones play their respective sports. I’ve never as much of as the love and adulation from the fan base for one particular athlete as the AU fans for Cam.
RomeDawg
December 5th, 2010
8:49 am
Scam Newton – Todays Jamarcus Russell?
RJ Dawg
December 5th, 2010
8:51 am
Hershell is the greatest ever.
Cam newton is not even in the top 5 of all time.Tim Tebow is better than Cam newton and Florida’s 2009 and 2008 teams would easily beat this Auburn team because those 2 Florida teams had a defense.Those Florida teams led by coach Charlie Strong with players like Spikes and Dunlap and a deffensive back like Hayden would slow Cam newton down.Alabama’s 2009 team with with there deffense would have beat this Auburn team.Alabama lost 9 starters off their Deffense.The SEC is down this year and thats why Cam had the year he had not because he is one of the greatest ever.GET real Mark Cam is not in the top 5 of all time.
poopdawg
December 5th, 2010
8:53 am
RomeDawg , will Scam get Jamarcus money in the NFL? Jamarcus may hurt Scam’s chances.
war damn right
December 5th, 2010
8:54 am
Simple answer. Yes. He is THEE Greatest player ever if you look at raw numbers and his accomplishments over the past two years. Get all the other crap out of your heads and look at just the numbers. He’s the greatest!! Period.
For all the others out there still saying he is a scam, I think I’ll solicit sex from a minor in a chat room under YOUR NAME and give out YOUR address… all without your knowledge. Then, when the police investigate and you get all the criticism and death threats and hate mail and accusers calling you a liar and pedofile, maybe you’ll have an idea of what it’s like to be accused of doing something when in reality it was done behind your back and completely without your knowledge. Maybe then you’ll have an appreciation of what he’s had to go through.
yeah yeah, I know about the laptop thing…. BFD… that was three years ago and he has been a model student since then. I’m sure ALL of you have some skeletons in your closets you wish would go away.
Atlanta, Ga Auburn Tiger.
December 5th, 2010
8:54 am
Ya’ll are PUH-THETIC! Cam is the best player ever. When God created football players and model citizens, he went down and touched Cecil Newton to produce Cam. He anointed that there War Eagle to swoop around our stadium too. Haters ought to be shamed theirselves. Everybody wants to be us. I’m so mad that I could spit gravy. You bunch of morons. We smarter than you too.
PTI guys
December 5th, 2010
8:55 am
Greatest pro to play collegiate w/o doubt…unless guys who are paid to play aren’t pros anymore.
BreakingNews
December 5th, 2010
8:56 am
1 question:
Is Cam planning on taking his douchebag, backwards-hat wearing “hype man” / coach to the NFL with him? I mean, who’s going to give him all of those “awesome” chest bumps/jumping back bumps when he makes a good play in the NFL?
oline
December 5th, 2010
8:57 am
Cam is great but it will be interesting to see what he does in the future without that great Auburn offensive line. They give him all the time in the world to find a receiver.
Nova Roars
December 5th, 2010
8:58 am
“Watch the trial for illegal bingo in Alabama”
Yep. Votes bought and paid to the Alabama politicians at the state capitol – Montgomery. And we all know the majority of those politicians are running around in houndstooth! The FBI will follow that greyhound all the way to Tuscalooser.
RosGator
December 5th, 2010
8:59 am
Oh yes, its pathetic that the UGA fans continue to blog about Fairley. AN indication of how pathetic their season was. Also lets remind UGA fans that wihout Failey’s unneeded late hit on Muarry that drives dies and UGA loses by 7 more points. you’d think they would not want to illuminate that fact. But i forgot with CMR at helm UGA owns the high ground on all things moral.
Taco
December 5th, 2010
9:00 am
Best player I have ever seenfor no money changing hands. Herschels family got served well and his mom had a white new Pontiac Trans Am with T-Tops and his sister got a full 4 four year scholarship as well. Adjusted for inflation, this was way more than $180,000. Just the cost of doing business. Pretty cheap for a National Championship……a bargain for HW and CN.
poopdawg
December 5th, 2010
9:01 am
ATlanta tiger , we smarter than you too? Maybe or maybe not. Congrats tigers i’ll be pulling for you.
MRuc
December 5th, 2010
9:01 am
“Cecil Newton”
Are you 10 years old or what? Move on and add some substance to your comments. Do you hate yourself so much that you’re pretending to be someone else?
RJ Dawg
December 5th, 2010
9:01 am
I normally pull for the SEC champion nomatter who it is in the BCS title game but not this year.I hope Oregon wins.
Tail-Gator
December 5th, 2010
9:02 am
Congrats to the Auburn Tigers. Anyone who doubts you weren’t THE best and THE dominating team in the SEC this year is simply in full denial. I placed my bet with AU over SCAR and I’m going to continue that with an EASY win for the Tigers over the Ducks!
SEC for a 5th straight year and another Heisman.
Pago Pago Dawg
December 5th, 2010
9:02 am
We just don’t want to play Auburn again, nor do we want Oregon, UConn, Fresno State and N. Ill.
Cecil
December 5th, 2010
9:03 am
Still a bit angry about CBS exposing “Auburn Jail” last night. I was wondering if Auburn was going to let me out to see my son play in the BCS game until the money was too good.
dd
December 5th, 2010
9:04 am
You can’t compare era’s because most of us weren’t there.
Thorpe, Ernie Davis, Jim Brown, OJ, Archie Griffin.
I could think of more I’m sure, but I haven’t had enough coffee yet.
A lot on here did see Heschel & Bo Jackson. Most, if not all of these players did it over a longer period of time also.
Newton is one and done at Auburn because as we know MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.
On to the NFL as long as there’s no work stoppage.
Maybe daddy will shop him to the Canadian league.
I’d just like to ask one simple question.
Do you beleive Cam Newton knew his father was shopping his services for money?
Yes or No
Please respond.
Thanks
To the Puppy Nation...
December 5th, 2010
9:05 am
Let us know how that Ole Roy Leg Humper Bowl works out for ya…
RJ Dawg
December 5th, 2010
9:07 am
Enter your comments here
Cecil
December 5th, 2010
9:09 am
Still a bit annoyed about CBS exposing “Auburn Jail” last night. I was a bit upset that they weren’t going to let me out to see my son play in the NC game, but the money is too good to come out. Still very comfy here. I love Auburn!
skip
December 5th, 2010
9:09 am
The best college player ever? Impossible to say but here are a few for consideration other than Newton: Walker, Simpson, Campbell, Dupree, Griffin, Jackson. What about some small college guys: Jerry Rice and Walter Payton? How about defensive players: Reggie White, Lawrence Taylor, Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders?
uga2002
December 5th, 2010
9:10 am
The irony here is Alabama went undefeated, Heisman and BCS champs. Auburn the very next year could be undefeated, Heisman and BCS champs. If there is even a state of Alabama first person who doesn’t care if its Bama or Auburn then they are truly excited today.
sadielovesbama
December 5th, 2010
9:12 am
Hey Nova Roars,check out the cast of charactors in the trial and you will find out that all roads lead to the Barn!!!!!!!!!
Dooley's Vince
December 5th, 2010
9:14 am
Vince Dooley was interviewed on the sideline after the game yesterday. Even HE said Cam was better than Herschel. 1980 was a loooooong time ago you whiners. And face it – Herschel didn’t have any of that Cammy Cam Juice!! WDE!!!
RJ Dawg
December 5th, 2010
9:14 am
If Cam and Auburn should be able to beat Oregon and win the NC I hope they enjoy it because in a couple of years they will be giving it back when Cam the scam is exsposed!
Joey
December 5th, 2010
9:16 am
“and off the field he’s the very epitome of a model citizen.”
*****************************
So the UF stuff doesn’t count because he is at Auburn now? Just use Google and get some facts about Cam’s arrest, and the cheating and plagiarizing. Hardly a model citizen.
And Aubie fans should forgive the rest of the world for assuming that Cam or his daddy was paid, given they asked for money, and given Auburn’s long history of paying players.
Aubie-won-knobi
December 5th, 2010
9:17 am
Sadly loves bama
“check out the cast of charactors in the trial”
What trial? And what is a charactor?
JPTigers
December 5th, 2010
9:17 am
Cammy-Cam juice…..tastes so much better than hater-ade!! LoL
SCAM Newton
December 5th, 2010
9:20 am
I’m the SCAM and I’m AWESOME!!!! HAHAHAHA! I’ve gotten away with it. You stupid white people will never bring me down. Now, I wonder how much I can get for that stupid Heisman Trophy.
Joey
December 5th, 2010
9:21 am
But, I will say that I have only seen 5 Auburn games and Cam is the best college QB I’ve ever seen. Huge, fast, and an accurate passer.
A lot of credit has to go to the OC, who has designed this offense around Cam. UGA’s offense, compared to Auburn’s, looks like a Kia compared to a Ferrari.
I wish we had that Auburn’s OC to build an offense around Murray.
emmysmom
December 5th, 2010
9:21 am
Well, I see the green-eyed monsters have slithered out again, spewing their venom.
Viewing this from afar as a college football fan, you do your state and your school no service with your vitriol. You appear to be jealous, pathetic losers.
Congrats to AU from Miami Beach.