50 greatest college football players this century, ranked

• Chuck Bednarik Award (2004)
• Lott Trophy (2004)
• Lombardi Award (2004)
• 2× Ted Hendricks Award (2003, 2004)
• 3× Consensus All-American (2002, 2003, 2004)
• 2× SEC Player of the Year (2002, 2004)
• 3× First-team All-SEC (2002, 2003, 2004)

“Not the most physically imposing, deceptively athletic, high motor, maximum effort, relentless, scrappy, etc.”

There were definitely other players well before David Pollack who fit the description. Maybe he stands out in my mind because his prime at Georgia came during my formative years. Or maybe he became the greatest incarnation of the undersized, unimposing guy who dominated by outworking everyone he lined up against.

In four seasons at Georgia, Pollack became the most accomplished and decorated Bulldog since Hershel Walker. From 2001 to 2004, he racked up 283 tackles, 58 for losses, and 36 sacks. He forced seven fumbles, recovered thee, and intercepted four passes — the most memorable came against South Carolina when he deflected a pass and caught it in the end zone.

Beyond his stats, he was the heart and soul of the Georgia defense during Mark Richt’s first four seasons. Assembling a 42-10 record in those first four seasons, Pollack, along with teammates like David Greene, Thomas Davis, Danny Ware laid the groundwork for the team’s run of success that included seven double-digit win seasons from 2005 through 2015.

Individually, he was a three-time All-American, three-time First-team All-SEC selection, winner of the Bednarik, Lott, Lombardi, and Hendricks trophies.

Key Fact: Pollack started 45 straight games spanning four seasons. He left Georgia with the school’s career and single-season sack records.