In a landmark ESPN report celebrating 150 years of college football, Texas Longhorns legend Earl Campbell has been named the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) among college football players, surpassing iconic figures like Herschel Walker of Georgia, Tim Tebow of Florida, and Archie Griffin of Ohio State. Known as the “Tyler Rose,” Campbell’s selection highlights his extraordinary college career and enduring legacy in the sport.
Earl Campbell’s journey to greatness began at the University of Texas, where he redefined the running back position with his rare combination of power, speed, and resilience. From 1974 to 1977, Campbell dominated the Southwest Conference (SWC), culminating in a Heisman Trophy-winning senior season in 1977. That year, he rushed for 1,744 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading the nation in both categories and powering the Longhorns to an undefeated 11-0 regular season. His career total of 4,443 rushing yards set a then-UT record, and his physicality—famously knocking defenders unconscious with his massive 34½-inch thighs—earned him a reputation as an unstoppable force. Campbell’s two-time All-American honors and three-time All-SWC selections underscore his consistency and dominance, cementing his place as Texas’s first Heisman winner.
Herschel Walker, ranked just behind Campbell, was a phenomenon at Georgia from 1980 to 1982. As a freshman, Walker rushed for 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the Bulldogs to a national championship. His 1982 Heisman-winning junior year saw him amass 1,752 yards and 16 touchdowns, finishing his career with 5,259 yards and 49 scores. Walker’s explosive athleticism and record-setting performances in the SEC made him a strong contender, but ESPN’s panel of 150 media members, administrators, and former players favored Campbell’s era-defining impact.
Tim Tebow, the Florida Gators’ dynamic quarterback, brought a different dimension to the conversation. From 2006 to 2009, Tebow combined 9,285 passing yards with 2,947 rushing yards, totaling 145 touchdowns. His 2007 Heisman season included 3,286 passing yards, 895 rushing yards, and 55 total touchdowns, making him the first sophomore to win the award. Tebow led Florida to two national titles (2006, 2008) and was a three-time Heisman finalist, but his No. 76 ranking on ESPN’s top 150 list sparked debate, with critics arguing his college achievements warranted a higher spot. Despite his versatility, Campbell’s raw dominance edged him out.
Archie Griffin, Ohio State’s two-time Heisman winner (1974, 1975), is the only player to achieve that feat. From 1972 to 1975, Griffin rushed for 5,589 yards and 26 touchdowns, with three consecutive seasons of at least 1,450 yards. His durability and consistency were unmatched, yet Campbell’s sheer physicality and singular Heisman season carried greater weight in ESPN’s evaluation.
Campbell’s selection as the GOAT reflects not only his statistical prowess but also his cultural impact. Honored at halftime of the 2020 LSU-Clemson national championship, he remains a Texas icon, with the Longhorns’ field named Campbell-Williams Field in his honor. While Walker, Tebow, and Griffin each left indelible marks, Earl Campbell’s legacy as college football’s greatest endures.
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