50 greatest SEC football players this century, ranked

Best SEC football players this century – 8. David Pollack, Georgia, Defensive Tackle (2001-2004)

David Pollack might not have the same national recognition today as others on the list, but do yourself a favor. Go back and look at the resumé of Pollack. He was a monster on the defensive line. It’s rare for a player to have three All-American seasons, but that’s what Pollack achieved in his time in Athens. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2002 after recording 14 sacks and leading the Bulldogs to the SEC Title. That was his first season as a starter for the Georgia Bulldogs.

His senior season was one of the best in this conference’s great history. He won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lott Award, the Ted Hendricks Award, the Lombardi Award and he won the Outback Bowl MVP.

Only Pollack and Herschel Walker made three All-American teams for the University of Georgia. Pollack is one of the best players of this era. Period. He finished his college career with 36 sacks, the sixth-highest total in college football since the NCAA formally started accounting for the stat at the time. He led the SEC with 14 sacks in 2002. His interception against South Carolina is still one of the best plays ever.

Pollack might have a better pedigree in the laurels of football greats, but he suffered a career-ending injury in the NFL trying to tackle Reuben Droughens. That doesn’t take away the greatness that was his college career. He was one of the best defensive players in the history of the game. His dominance was second to none of this era. This came against the immense talent up front in the SEC.