Ranking the Top 10 Players in Iowa Football History

The University of Iowa football program has a long and storied history of producing amazing competitors. Iowa City has produced some of the greatest college and NFL players of all-time. Here's a look back at the top 10 greatest players to ever wear an Iowa Hawkeyes uniform.

No. 10: Fred Russell

Russell is considered by most the third best running back in Iowa history, behind Tavian Banks and Shonn Greene. He came between the two and put up very strong performances every game. He also was a big reason for the Hawkeyes' blowout of Florida in the Outback Bowl.

No. 9: Mitch King

King was a consensus All-Big Ten pick, second team All-American, and the best on a great defensive line. King punished opposing offenses and made Iowa one of the toughest run defenses in the country.

No. 8: Robert Gallery

Robert Gallery is Iowa's highest NFL draft pick ever after going number two to the Oakland Raiders. Largely hailed as Iowa's best offensive lineman ever, Gallery protected his three quarterbacks as well as anyone in the nation.

No. 7: Chad Greenway

Greenway was the anchor of a great linebacking corps in 2005 that consisted of himself and Abdul Hodge. He was a dual threat linebacker that smashed the run game but also played great in coverage. He was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings.

No. 6: Tavian Banks

One of four Iowa natives on this list, this Bettendorf, Iowa product came out of nowhere to rush for 1,700 yards and break Iowa's all-time rushing record. He was widely considered the best running back in college football and went on to be drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, only to suffer a career-ending knee injury.

No. 5: Dallas Clark

A consensus first team All-American, Dallas Clark started his career at Iowa as a linebacker, but then was moved to tight end by coach Kirk Ferentz. He ended his Iowa career with 1,281 receiving yards in only two years. He was selected 24th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2003 NFL draft and has been a Pro Bowl regular ever since.

No. 4: Chuck Long

Chuck Long was the leader of an outstanding 1985 team that was at one point in the season ranked number one in the country. He led his team to a victory over number two Michigan and led his team to the Rose Bowl that year. He is widely considered the best Iowa quarterback of all time.

No. 3: Bob Sanders

Bob Sanders was the smallest and toughest safety in college football. Although he only stands 5'8", he has the title of the hardest hitter in the NFL, and it was no different in college. After leaving Iowa, Sanders went to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2004 NFL draft. He is a two time Pro Bowl selection and was the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

No. 2: Nile Kinnick

Now you may wonder, why is Kinnick Stadium's namesake not number one? Well, because of how much athletes have progressed over the years, Kinnick wouldn't even start in 2008, but he needs to get some attention as the only Heisman Trophy winner in Iowa history.

Kinnick was a consensus All-American in 1939 (along with the Heisman Trophy winner). He played 60 minutes of every game and played everywhere including running back, quarterback, defensive back, punter, and kicker.

Instead of going pro, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II and his plane crashed in a training mission over the Caribbean. The University of Iowa then named former Iowa Stadium in his honor.

No. 1: Shonn Greene

Greene is by far the best running back to ever wear an Iowa jersey. He came out of nowhere to shatter all of Iowa's rushing records and win the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back. He also was a consensus All-American.

Greene did not play at Iowa in 2007 because of academic issues. He went to Kirkwood Communiy College to get his grades up and worked loading furniture at McGregor's Furniature in Iowa City.

He wasn't even on the spring roster, but he took the Big Ten and the nation by storm by rushing for at least 100 yards in every game this season. He stayed out of the spotlight, but finally gained national attention when he helped Iowa upset number three Penn State 24-23.