While Jackson is the greatest player in Auburn football history, defensive tackle Tracy Rocker is the best player to play for the Tigers to never win a Heisman. His status on Auburn’s all-time Mount Rushmore is firm in stature. What Rocker did as a senior in 1988 is one of the most impressive things a defensive player has ever done in the history of college football.
Rocker took home both the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy, becoming the first player in SEC history to do this. He was a two-time All-American, including unanimous in 1988. Rocker was a three-time All-SEC performer, helping Auburn take home the first two of three SEC Championships in a row under Dye from 1987-1989.
Rocker is one of eight former Auburn greats to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his play on the field. He would go on to be a third-round pick by the Washington Redskins in the 1989 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, his playing career came to an end two years later due to injury.
In the years since Rocker has carved out a tremendous career as a defensive line coach. He has worked for six different SEC schools, including his alma mater Auburn. He is now with the South Carolina Gamecocks on Will Muschamp‘s staff. Rocker even spent three years coaching in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans. His son Kumar is a superstar pitcher for the Vanderbilt Commodores.