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50 greatest college football players this century, ranked

By Jeremy Morris

Tim Tebow, #15 quarterback of the Florida Gators (Photo by Matt Marriott/University of Florida/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
Tim Tebow, #15 quarterback of the Florida Gators (Photo by Matt Marriott/University of Florida/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /
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Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /
  • 2× Biletnikoff Award (2010, 2011)
  • 2× consensus All-American (2010, 2011)
  • Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2010)
  • 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2010, 2011)

Justin Blackmon’s career at Oklahoma State started slowly. He redshirted in 2008 then only caught 20 passes for 260 yards in 2009. His college career took off in 2010 though, with a 1,782-yard/20-touchdown year as a redshirt sophomore. In addition to winning his first of two Biletnikoff Awards, he became the first wide receiver ever to win Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

As a junior, he repeated as an All-American and Biletnikoff Award winner with 122 catches (11 more than the season prior), 1,522 yards, and 18 touchdowns. The Cowboys ended the season by outlasting Stanford 41-38 in the Fiesta Bowl. Blackmon was named MVP for his 186 yards and three receiving touchdowns in the game. He declared for the NFL Draft immediately following the game and was drafted fifth overall in the 2012 draft, making him the highest pick from Oklahoma State since Barry Sanders 23 years earlier.

He wasn’t one of the top-75 receiver prospects coming out of high school but he finished his career with 3,564 yards, 42 total touchdowns, and is one of only two players ever to win the Biletnikoff Award more than once (Michael Crabtree).

Bonus Fact: Blackmon had 14 straight games with over 100 yards receiving, including all 12 games of the 2011 season. He also caught at least one touchdown every single game of the season, had a rushing touchdown and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.

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