Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!







Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

15) Eugene "Mercury" Morris, RB, West Texas State 1966-68: So fast his speed was compared to an ancient legend, he set the single-game rushing record of 340 yards in '68...

The 15 Best Nicknames for College Football Players of the Past 50 Years

by BabyTate (Senior Writer)

40

2356 reads

Rankings/List

August 11, 2008


15) Eugene "Mercury" Morris, RB, West Texas State 1966-68: So fast his speed was compared to an ancient legend, he set the single-game rushing record of 340 yards in '68.

14) William "The Refrigerator" Perry, DT, Clemson 1981-84: So named because of his enormous size—at his peak 6'2" and 382 pounds.  Ring size is 25.  A hearty appetite.

13) Dewey "The Swamp Rat" Warren, QB, Tennessee 1965-67: A native of Savannah, Georgia.  He once bet a crowd that teammate Richmond Flowers could outrun a horse.

12) John L. "The Hammer" Williams, RB, Florida 1982-85: This 5'11", 230-pound fire hydrant on roller skates lived up to his nickname by pounding the opposition with his thick frame.

11) "Bullet" Bob Hayes, WR, Florida A&M 1962-64: The fastest man in the world.  Hayes set the 100-yard dash world record of 9.1 and then won the Gold Medal in the '64 Olympics.

10) Johnny "The Italian Stallion" Musso, RB, Alabama 1969-71: Predating the film "Rocky," this is the original Stallion.  Academic All-American and fourth in the '71 Heisman vote.

9) Roger "The Artful Dodger" Staubach, QB, The Navy 1962-64: So named because of the way he scampered about in the backfield avoiding tacklers and running the ball.

8) Kenny "The Snake" Stabler, QB, Alabama 1965-67: So named because of multiple reasons—too slick to catch on the run and too crafty to figure out are top two.

7) Bill "Earthquake" Enyart, RB, Oregon State 1966-68: Monster-size fullback at 6'4", 236, who thundered across the Northwest, turning the 3rd-and-1 into a laugher.

6) Carlos "The Cuban Comet" Alvarez, WR, Florida 1969-71: Let's take an extra moment here to communicate the true brilliance of this great man.  Of Cuban heritage, he was a legendary receiver for John Reaves who sped across the field with "the speed of a comet."  He was an Academic All-American who is a member of the National Academic Hall of Fame.  He graduated from Duke Law School Summa Cum Laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA in 1975.

5) Randy "The Manster" White, DE/DT, Maryland 1972-74: Half man, half monster, 6'4", 257, he was the ACC Player of the Year in 1974.  He won the Outland & Lombardi Awards.

4) Gale "The Kansas Comet" Sayers, RB, Kansas 1962-64: Quite possibly the greatest broken field runner in history.  He used the entire field like no one since Ernie Nevers.

3) Raghib "The Rocket" Ismael, Receiver, Notre Dame 1987-90: He exploded past normal players like a rocket blasting off, hence the obvious nickname.  No. 2 in 1990 Heisman vote.

2) Ted "The Mad Stork" Hendricks, DE, Miami 1966-68: 6'7", 220, relatively tall and thin, producing the nickname for this sensational Hurricane who altered the DE position.  He made 327 tackles in the 32 games he played, an average of 10.2 tackles a game.

1) Orenthal James "Orange Juice" Simpson, RB, Southern Cal 1967-68: 6'2", 210 with 9.3 speed in the 100, he defined the phrase "The Juice Is Loose."  He won the 1968 Heisman Trophy by the largest margin in history, 1,750 points, which still stands as the record.

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

40 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Thomas Brown 10 months ago

    you didnt put a last name for #6

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  2. Tim McGhee 10 months ago

    Great read, Tate!

    To clarify Mercury Morris, he is named for the Roman god Mercury, the messenger god. Mercury had winged feet and at times wore a winged hat. It's not important, but all I could think of at 5:45 AM.

    I was a big Dolphin fan back in the day. Merc was tough to catch and indeed one of the best RBs in the 70s. Even considering all this, my favorite Miami backfield was Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      That's good information and thanks for adding it. I was a huge Jim Kiick fan when he played at Wyoming. He brought the undefeated 6th ranked Cowboys to the 1967 season Sugar Bowl and staked them to a 13-0 halftime lead over LSU. The Tigers overhauled the Cowboys in the 2nd half to win 20-13. We'll let Justin fill us in on the details.

      Larry Csonka was the last of the great running backs that played for Syracuse from the mid 50s to late 60s. Started with Jim Brown (not bad, arguably the greatest football player ever) continued on with Ernie Davis (The Elmira Express—who helped the Orangemen win the Natl Championship in 1959 and won the Heisman Trophy 2 years later), continued with Floyd Little from 64-66 and Csonka from 65-67.

      Csonka was a late add for Syracuse. He was going to go to Clemson and play linebacker for Frank Howard. The great outdoorsman put off the rural hunting opportunity of Pickens County and became a legend at Syracuse and beyond. Howard and Csonka remained friends until the passing of the former Alabama lineman a few years back. Howard always maintained "that boy is too big to waste at fullback, if he had come to Clemson and played for me he would have been a more famous linebacker than Butkus or Nobis".

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  3. Mitch at sportschatplace.com 10 months ago

    Fun Read. I'm no Gator fan but Jevon "the freak" Kearse has a place on this list. At 6'4 and 262 pounds running a 4.43 40 and 37 inch vertical leap the nickname says it all.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      Good Grief Mitch! We've already got 2 of the 15 from Florida, you want the Georgia and Auburn people to call me out for Gator—bias ? After all, where is Buffalo Bill Cody, Tiger linebacker superb, and where is Ronnie "The Freight Train" Jenkins, Bulldog Fullback who was the equal of Csonka in college?

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Rob Sansing 10 months ago

      "Buffalo Bill" Cody, and Mike "Captain Crunch" Kolen, and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, and Vincent
      "Bo" (short for boar hog) Jackson...heck, we could have a whole new list of all Auburn players!!!War Eagle!!!

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  4. Timothy Croley 10 months ago

    BT, another good/fun idea for an article topic. I could probably come up with several just from Bama. David "The Deuce" Palmer is a favorite of mine. Nothing spectacular, simply his #2 jersey number, but I think The Deuce is pretty cool. "Broadway Joe" is one of my all-time favorites, even though that was from Namath's time in NY & the NFL. "Money" is recent nickname for former Bama kicker Jamie Christensen.

    One of the more disturbing, though I think it was really just a local thing, was Alabama's DB Ramzee Robinson. Known for his inability to stop WRs for most of his college career, he was dubbed Ramzee "Run by Me" Robinson by many people in the area in which I lived and worked.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      David Palmer doesn't get enough credit about how good he was in college. Now, this Ramzee fellow sounds like he could have used a lesson from "Night Train" Lane. He always said "if you thumb their Adam's Apple at full run they take themselves out of the game". I believe the Night Train could easily have fit into Gene Stallings' '92 national champions but that way of doing things is really gone with the wind. Nick Saban would probably say today's players are faster, more aware of their surroundings, and represent the university at a much higher level these people we're talking about from the past. A lot of the game today is reputation of the coach so he can succeed over time with recruiting. Saban, Pete Caroll, Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops, Jim Tressell, these larger than life people can't afford to have players give the school a bad reputation, that's why you see constant disciplinary action and career guidance from the coaching staff. The day of someone like Jerry Claiborne leaving players in a desert to walk home to toughen them up and straighten them out has been gone for some time. So, you're going to get a "Run By Me" Robinson who may make mistakes on the field but protects the integrity of the program through his studies and actions off the field.

      Great to hear from you Timothy, appreciate your great input.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  5. Michael Bergman 10 months ago

    Nice article. I think I like "The Manster" the best. Simple, but effective and kind of rolls off the tongue.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      I've always liked the Manster as well. At the risk of offending my colleague LJ, I believe the Manster is the best player of alltime to come out of Delaware. Appreciate the comment Michael, and I enjoy your input to the articles.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  6. Justin Goar 10 months ago

    great read BT!!

    Was Deion Sanders known as "Primetime" at FSU? if so, he's gotta be on there. Also Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.

    The Galloping Ghost
    Nighttrain Lane
    Crazy Legs
    Too Tall

    I have no idea how many of those were earned in college and which were earned in the NFL, maybe all of them which is why you didn't include them.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • David Wunderlich 10 months ago

      I don't know if he was "Primetime" yet, but I'm pretty sure he was "Neon Deion" in college.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      I had an expanded list of 25 that I couldn't get to fit so I cut it off at 15. Sanders is there for Neon Deon and so is Ironhead. The Gallopin' Ghost, Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, and Dick "Night Train" Lane all played prior 50 years ago. This Ed Jones was basically an unknown in college. I wish I could have used Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb but he played in college more than 50 years ago. I tried to get him into my "Only the Good Die Young" article but he was a little over 30 when he overdosed, I mean met with his tragic untimely end.

      Thanks a lot Justin!

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  7. David Wunderlich 10 months ago

    Another thing about Carlos Alvarez is that he set the school record for receptions in just three seasons of play, and it somewhat miraculously lasted unscathed throughout the Spurrier years. It was broken last season by Bubba Caldwell, a 5th-year senior.

    Like #12, Tim Tebow is likewise called "The Hammer" by Florida fans at least. It hasn't really caught on nationwide I don't think.

    There's also the 1984 UF offensive line, collectively known as "The Great Wall of Florida."

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  8. Justin Goar 10 months ago

    How could I forget LSU's
    Anthony "Booger" Mcfarland

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Jimson Cuenta 10 months ago

      "4) Gale "The Kansas Comet" Sayers, RB, Kansas 1962-64: Quite possibly the greatest broken field runner in history. He used the entire field like no one since Ernie Nevers."

      Personally, I would have put him at #1, lolz :)

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      Because Justin, McFarland is hoping people will forget that is his nickname! Horrible.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  9. Dale Plymale 10 months ago

    One to look out for this year, George "The Rabid Goldfish" Hypolite. On Colorado. Trey Parker and Matt Stone from South Park gave him that nickname but now everyone at CU calls him that.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  10. Gray Ghost 10 months ago

    Great article BT. Very fun read! Thanks for mentioning Johnny Musso. Was he fun to watch or what?! His half jersey flopping as he cut through defenses - he was a great one!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      The 1st time I read one of your articles, I thought you were an Illinois fan with a take off on the Gallopin' Ghost!

      Musso was a smart guy, got his Masters in Economics and has a successful business in Illinois. You know, when he played a lot of people though he was from up North with that name but he was a local guy from Birmingham. Bryant loved to mine the state of Pennsylvania (no pun intended) because Bear had been the head coach at Maryland and Kentucky and knew all about the high schools there so, it was never unusual to see a fellow from the Keystone state on the Tide roster. But, Musso wasn't one of them.

      You've been a great contributor to the B/R and I appreciate your comment.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  11. Ben White 10 months ago

    Great list. I was always fond of Lionel "Little Train" James of Auburn.

    I had no idea Roger Staubach was known as "The Artful Dodger". Learn something everyday.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      I have the little train on my expanded list of 25 but we didn't have the space to include but 15. I also have Auburn's great "Buffalo" Bill Cody, All-American linebacker on the expanded list.

      Rodger the Dodger was a player very similiar to Vince Young at Texas. Very active in the backfield.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  12. Mitch at sportschatplace.com 10 months ago

    Michael Irvin "The Playmaker"

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  13. Mitch at sportschatplace.com 10 months ago

    But he may also be the best player on the list ;)

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  14. BabyTate 10 months ago

    Hendricks just might be the best player on the list but he'll have to settle for #2. I always thought Doak Walker, Gale Sayers, and Jimmy Brown were the best runners I ever saw until OJ Simpson came along so nobody is moving him out of the top spot. Besides, in the picture above we have The Mad Stork's Miami Hurricanes trying to tackle Orange Juice as Sou Cal whips Miami 28-3 when they both were seniors in '68 so it was settled on the football field.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  15. Paul Sellers 10 months ago

    Where is "The Assasin" Jack Tatum?

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      Paul that's an NFL name for Jack. He was just one of Lou Holtz's defensive backs who hit hard on the 1968 Ohio State national championship team.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  1. Raj Kamruddin 10 months ago

    I will always have a bias for Refrigerator Perry since I grew up watching the '85 Bears and for years he was an icon in Chicago.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  2. Michael Shibley 10 months ago

    Great list BabyTate! I guess the only one I would add would be Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds, LB Tennessee, '67-'69. Reynolds earned his nickname in college by sawing a 1953 Chevrolet in half with a hacksaw after his team lost a game to Mississippi 38-0.

    But you have Swamp Rat in there from Tennessee so I am happy!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      Hacksaw shouldn't have gotten so upset. That was Archie Manning that wore out Tennessee that day, nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, they ended up with the ol' Redhead's boy in the long run.

      Hacksaw was certainly deserving of being on the list.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  3. Rob Sansing 10 months ago

    Thanks for the list, Baby. It was your "greatest plays" list that brought me to B/R. I will forever be in your debt!!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  4. john brewer 10 months ago

    you forgot the thrilla from camilla and the tifton termite

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  5. L.J. Burgess 10 months ago

    I got a mention! That deserves a story on the 'Manster'.

    Summer camp 1970, a scrimmage against the Highlanders. I was a sophomore center on the Cavalier JV squad wearing #10 'cause, with less than 40 players combined on V & JV, I somehow ended up deep in somebody's QB depth chart.

    The Highlanders had this running back named White who played both ways, at least that day he did, and he was plowing, and I mean plowing, through the best defense in Delaware the past 5 years. We were 40 something and 0 at the time.

    At the switch he moved to DT for a few snaps and I remember him taking on a double team, pushing them through RB Joe Todd, back-up QB Ronnie Evans and tackling all four of them in one big pile.

    I was crapping because I was up in 2 sets...but they sent Randy White back to the bus because, I assume, he was already tuned up and being recruited heavily...I went in as a receiver (wtf?), juked 2 DBs and dropped a 35 yard TD that Ronnie put right in my chest.

    Needless to say the 'Manster' and I took 180º turns in our football careers that day, I hear he made the big time and I sat for two more scrimmages and then packed it in for the love of the artsy girls.

    Middletown High School ran the table that season and the next but by '72 the biggest Delaware schools were gunning for us and the streak ended at 56-3 with a loss in the State Championship...if I remember correctly.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • BabyTate 10 months ago

      Holy Cow! That Comment deserves a story in itself!

      I have read that White was an offensive player but Jerry Claiborne put him on defense.

      Well, it's not everyday someone can say they played against the MVP of the ACC.

      Thanks for that story.................

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

    • Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »

    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.