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Best college football players of all time ranked by jersey number

By John Buhler

Clemson Tigers. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson Tigers. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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LINCOLN, NE – CIRCA 1983: Mike Rozier, #30 running back of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team poses for a headshot at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Collegiate Images/University of Nebraska/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – CIRCA 1983: Mike Rozier, #30 running back of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team poses for a headshot at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Collegiate Images/University of Nebraska/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /
29

Eric Turner

Safety, UCLA Bruins

Let’s be honest. No. 29 is not one of the most sought after jerseys in the college game. For whatever reason, running backs just don’t gravitate toward the last number in the 20s. This could change at any point, but former UCLA Bruins safety Eric Turner is the best to wear that uniform number.

Turner played in the Bruins defensive backfield from 1987 to 1990 during the height of the Terry Donahue era of the Pac-10 program. While Troy Aikman was the signature player for that era of Bruins football, Turner left Los Angeles with 14 career interceptions for 315 yards and a touchdown in 46 career college games.

30

Mike Rozier

Running Back, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Before he was looking better in suits that you will at any point in your life, Mike Rozier was a sensational running back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He won the 1983 Heisman Trophy and was a two-time All-American tailback for the Cornhuskers.

During his 1983 Heisman campaign, Rozier rushed for 2,148 yards on 278 carries for an otherworldly 7.8 yards per attempt, finding pay dirt 29 times. While he had success in the NFL for the Houston Oilers, Rozier’s best days as a football player were definitely in Lincoln. He is the best player to rock a No. 30 jersey to date.

31

Vic Janowicz

Running Back, Ohio State Buckeyes

It’s been a long time since Vic Janowicz was doing everything for the Ohio State Buckeyes offense in the early 1950s, but he is still the best college football player to wear the No. 31 jersey. Janowicz won the 1950 Heisman Trophy thanks in large part to his versatile playmaking ability in the back field.

In 1950, Janowicz may have only had 314 rushing yards on 114 carries for four touchdowns, but it was his ability to sling the pigskin that garnered him the Heisman Trophy. Janowicz completed 41.6 percent of his passes for 561 yards (7.3 yards per attempt), 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

32

O.J. Simpson

Running Back, USC Trojans

Before the Trial of the Century, O.J. Simpson was an unbelievable running back both in college and professionally. He earned Canton enshrinement for his work with the Buffalo Bills. Before that, Simpson was an unstoppable force in the USC Trojans backfield.

Simpson only played to years at USC, but they were incredible. He would finish second in the Heisman Trophy in 1967. Simpson was a two-time All-American, winning the 1968 Heisman. He would run for 3,423 yards on 674 carries for 36 touchdowns in his prolific USC football career.

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