Best college football players of all time ranked by jersey number
By John Buhler
Tom Brown
Guard, Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers at one point in their history had a top-tier football program. During the first half of last century, the Golden Gophers won a few national titles. One of the last really dominant players they had was guard Tom Brown.
In 1960, Brown would win the Outland Trophy and be an All-American for Minnesota. He would go on to play professionally in the CFL for the BC Lions from 1961 to 1967. Brown has earned enshrinement in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Bob Gain
Offensive Tackle, Kentucky Wildcats
In the early 1950s, the Kentucky Wildcats were a serious football power in the SEC. It helped to have Paul “Bear” Bryant as their head coach, but the Wildcats definitely had some outstanding players. One of whom was offensive tackle Bob Gain.
Gain was a two-time All-American for the Wildcats, playing on both sides of the trenches. He would win the 1950 Outland Trophy before beginning a long NFL career with the Cleveland Browns. While he is a College Football Hall of Famer, maybe the Pro Football Hall of Fame should take a look at Gain. He did make five Pro Bowls and win three NFL Championships in Cleveland.
Tony Boselli
Offensive Tackle, USC Trojans
Even though injuries shortened his illustrious football career, offensive tackle Tony Boselli was an elite football player for both the Jacksonville Jaguars and his alma mater USC Trojans. Boselli was a first-team All-American three times at USC and three times all Pac-10.
He would make five straight Pro Bowls in Jacksonville and three All-Pros. Boselli was selected as the first player taken in the 2002 Expansion Draft by the Houston Texans. He never played a game for them and quarterback David Carr certainly paid a price for that physically.
Bronko Nagurski
Running Back, Minnesota Golden Gophers
It’s been a lifetime since Bronko Nagurski last played a meaningful football game for the 1943 Chicago Bears. Nagurski was a punishing runner as a tailback. He played an integral part in the early days of the NFL. Nagurski is easily the best player to play for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
He played some defensive tackle in college for the Gophers, earning multiple All-American honors at both positions. His No. 72 jersey is proudly retired by his alma mater. The Nagurski Trophy is handed out to the best defensive player in football in his honor.