The 10 Greatest Gopher Football Players of All-Time

Though the University of Minnesota football team has suffered through some less than stellar seasons over the years, the program has still put some amazing players on the field.

Despite a Rose Bowl drought that is nearing 50 years and counting, the program has still managed to produce a fair amount of NFL-level talent. As the season winds down, it's a good time to take a look at the 10 greatest players to ever suit up for the Gophers football team.

I tried to look at team success as a measure of deciding which players deserved to make the cut, but in some cases, the individual's performance couldn't be ignored, no matter how poor the Gophers' record was during that particular season.

Nonetheless, my final list is still a little heavy on players from the earlier eras of college football. The stats aren't very impressive by today's standards, but college football was a different game back then.

Due to the program's recent struggles, it's quite easy to forget what a national power the University of Minnesota once was. One needs to just look around TCF Bank Stadium to be reminded of the six National Championship teams the Gophers have produced.

The most difficult part about creating the list for me was having to leave off some of the great Gophers that I have had the opportunity to watch while following the Gophers for the last 25 years or so.

I hated to leave off Gopher greats Darrell Thompson, Rickey Foggie, Matt Spaeth, Willie Van De Steeg, Marion Barber III, and Laurence Maroney, but I simply ran out of room.

You can easily make arguments for all those players and more, but here are my 10 Greatest Gophers of all time.

No. 10: Greg Eslinger, Center

There's nothing flashy or exciting about an offensive lineman, but Eslinger was simply one of the best.

Eslinger was the leader of the Gophers offensive line that paved the way for standout running backs Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber III.

Greg was a four-year starter for the Gophers and his accolades included winning the Outland Trophy as college football's best interior lineman and the Rimington Trophy as the best center. Eslinger was also a two-time All-American and a three time All-Big Ten performer.

No. 9: Eric Decker, Wide Receiver

Maybe Decker shouldn't be on this list, but he's been such a great player for the Gophers over the past four years, I couldn't leave him off. Despite missing some significant time with an injury, Decker still goes down as the greatest Gopher WR of all time. Tough to argue with 227 catches for 3,119 yards and 24 touchdowns.

No. 8: Ben Hamilton, Center

Another stellar offensive lineman, Hamilton might be best remembered for refusing to attend the photo shoot for Playboy's All-America preseason team, saying that it violated his principles. While a Gopher, Hamilton was a two-time All-Big Ten selection as well as a two-time All-American.

No. 7: Tyrone Carter, Safety

Tyrone Carter still stands as the best Gopher defender I ever had the privilege of watching.

He was an All-American in 1998 and 1999, and he won the 1999 Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive back in college football.

In 1998, Carter was named first team All-Big Ten conference by both the coaches and the media. During his career at Minnesota, he recorded 584 tackles, including 414 solo tackles.

No. 6: Carl Eller, Defensive Line

Carl Eller helped lead the Gophers to their last Rose Bowl victory during his sophomore season. Eller was a two-way starter during his junior and senior years, being named All-American both years. He was runner-up for the Outland Trophy following his senior season.

Eller was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

No. 5: Sandy Stephens, QB

Sandy Stephens was the first African-American quarterback at Minnesota. He lead the Gophers to back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances. In 1961, Sandy was named to the All-American team and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. That year, he was also voted MVP of the Big Ten Conference.

(Photo courtesy of BigTen.org)

No. 4: Bobby Bell, Tackle

Former Gophers coaching great Murray Warmath once called Bobby Bell "the greatest lineman I have ever seen." That's enough for me to include Bell on the list.

It's been said that Bell's speed could compare to any other player on the field. For a man his size, that's very impressive.

He was a two-time All-American and in 1962 won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. That same season, Coach & Athlete Magazine named Bell Player of the Year.

The 1961 Gophers were the national leader in rushing defense, allowing 52 yards a game.

(photo courtesy of collegefootball.org)

No. 3: Paul Giel, Halfback

Paul Giel played both quarterback and halfback in coach Wes Fesler's single-wing offense. Giel started as the quarterback, which was mainly a blocking position. He was moved to left halfback, where he would be a runner and passer.

Giel's career totals were 2,188 yards rushing and 1,922 yards passing. He was voted the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player twice, in 1952 and 1953, All-American twice, and runner-up to John Lattner of Notre Dame for the Heisman Trophy in 1953.

(photo courtesy of collegefootball.org)

No. 2: Bronko Nagurski, Fullback/Defensive Tackle

Legend has it that Bronko Nagurski was discovered when Minnesota head coach Clarence Spears got lost and saw Nagurski plowing a field without a horse. He issued him a scholarship on the spot.

In an era when most everyone played both ways, Nagurski played tackle on defense and fullback on offense at Minnesota from 1927 to 1929. In 1929, he was a consensus All-American at tackle.

The Football Writers of America created The Bronko Nagurski Trophy to honor the best defensive collegiate player in America. Despite playing more than 80 years ago, Nagurski is still recognized as an elite football player. In 1999, Bronko was selected by Sports Illustrated as one of the defensive tackles on the magazine's All-Century Team, and Nagurski was ranked No. 17 on ESPN's list of the 25 Greatest College Football Players of All Time.

(photo courtesy of sportingnews.com)

No. 1: Bruce Smith, Halfback

The University of Minnesota's only Heisman Trophy winner gets my vote as the greatest Gopher football player of all time.

Bruce Smith led the Gophers to back-to-back National Championships with two consecutive 8-0 seasons in 1940 and 1941. He earned All-Big Ten and All-American honors in 1941, along with winning the Heisman.

Bruce Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972, and in 1977, the University of Minnesota honored its only Heisman winner by retiring his jersey, number 54.

(photo courtesy of gophersports.com)