Coolest All-Time Names in College Football

Names are how we identify each other.

When you remember someone's name, it generally means they left an impression on you, whether good or bad.

The names on this list are unforgettable, especially when taken in the context of the sport with which they were involved.

Dive in for the top 50 coolest names in college football history.

Honorable Mention

Yo Murphy, Idaho

Kenny Cheatem, Nebraska

Kabeer Gbaja Biamila, San Diego State

Fitzgerald Toussaint, Michigan

Limas Sweed, Texas

Wonderful Terrific Monds II, Buffalo

Taz Knockum, Memphis

Curley Culp, ASU

Preacher Pilot, New Mexico State

Hercules Satele, Hawaii

Knowledge Timmons, Penn State

Lequantum Mcdonald, Baylor

Thor Brown, North Dakota

Bronco Mendenhall, coach, BYU

50. Xzavier Stewart, Kansas State

Not only does Stewart have the audacity to pull off the "double-consonant," he pulls it off with panache, with the whole "Xz" thing.

Ridiculous.

49. Rameses Arceo, Kansas

He didn't have much impact on the college football universe, as demonstrated by the half-picture of him that seems to be the only one on the world-wide web.

That's right, he's the one in the back.

48. Nnamdi Asomugha, Cal

Asomugha was one of the most dynamic corners in the country.

He has since moved on to a great NFL career.

He earns his place on this list for the solid use of the double consonant.

47. Zoltan Mesko, Michigan

Not only did Mesko, a punter, get one of the coolest names of all time, he is built like a tank.

And he has the death-stare to match.

46. Mercury Morris, West Texas State

Mercury was more known for his time as a member of the undefeated Miami Dolphins squad—whose record still stands—more than anything else.

However, as a running back at West Texas State, he was forming the flamboyant behaviors that became his trademark.

45. Red Grange, Illinois

So simple, and yet it conjures up the very image of greatness.

Throw in the fact that he also has one of the greatest nicknames of all time—"The Galloping Ghost"—and it just doesn't seem fair.

Grange is one of the greatest players of all time—at least, ESPN thinks so.

He was named to the No. 1 spot on the 2008 list of greatest players of all time.

As a running back for Illinois, Grange scored over 50 percent of his touchdowns from 20 yards or further.

44. Colt Brennan, Hawaii

Colt was a great quarterback, setting all kinds of records and dyeing his hair with the shape of the Hawaiian Islands.

Any name that is also synonymous with a firearm is a solid option for a football player.

43. Napoleon McAllum, Navy

Napoleon.

The very name brings to mind images of a militaristic demeanor and commanding aspect.

But this was not the French dictator, as he played running back for Navy.

42. Munchie Legaux, Cincinnati

Seriously, can you think of a name that is more cool than "Munchie."

There are not many, just a few on this list.

To top that, the man plays quarterback, so we get to hear announcers stumble over his name whenever he plays.

41. Yourhighness Morgan, FAU

Are you serious?

Who wouldn't want to be named "Yourhighness"?

It absolutely screams "man who will rip your head off if you don't do what I want on the football field"...

...or something like that.

40. Keyshawn Johnson, USC

"Key" is still one of the most flamboyant personalities involved in the football universe.

He was dang effective on the football field, however.

He was named All-American both his seasons at USC, and in the 1996 Rose Bowl, Johnson set the record for most receiving yards in the history of the game with 216.

He also scored a touchdown in the game.

39. Tank Carridine, Florida State

Really?

Tank?

Not only does the man get incredible talent and the chance to play for one of the premier teams in college football, he gets the moniker "Tank."

There are a few names that football players receive that conjure up images of bone-crushing tackles and jarring blocks.

"Tank" is definitely one of them.

38. Tank Carder, TCU

Carder is one of the catalysts for an incredibly solid defense at TCU.

Carder was one of the stars in the Horned Frogs' 2011 Rose Bowl victory.

Not only is he a star at the position for one of the most successful programs in recent seasons, he gets to be called "Tank."

This is an honor which is reserved for very few in the FBS universe.

37. Godspower Offor, Wake Forest

Wow, his parents' premonition led to a request for a deity to grant his strength in the form of the kid's name.

Pretty intense.

Not many can boast the backing of an all-powerful deity.

Unless their last name happens to be "Tebow."

36. Bacarri Rambo, Georgia

Rambo is a classic example of a perfect football name, and Bacarri, a safety, wears it with pride.

It's a great story, considering he changed his name from "Bacarri Fudge."

You can't make this stuff up.

35. Wave Ryder, Navy

You might hear this one and think the guy is a surfer.

You would be way wrong.

Ryder played safety for Navy.

However, he was from that great surfing location, Hawaii, so the name is somewhat apt.

34. Immaculate Perfection Harris, Georgia Tech

"I-Perfect" as he prefers to be called, takes the cake with this one.

On a side note, those are some pretty high expectations for a kid in grade school.

Of course, those were some pretty creative parents, especially considering that his brother was named "Chief Justice."

33. Mister Simpson, Michigan

Simpson played for Michigan in 2006, with two rushing attempts for 11 yards.

He then attempted to transfer to Cincinnati.

That plan immediately fell through, as he was deemed ineligible.

He may have been eventually charged with a robbery, but at least he gets to keep that name.

32. Colt McCoy, Texas

Not only did McCoy get to tote around the moniker "Colt," he also got to follow it with a last name that conjures up images of a feud.

Sadly, there were no Hatfields at Oklahoma or Texas A&M when McCoy was at Texas.

31. Kirby Van Der Kamp, Iowa State

Van Der Kamp is a punter.

For a guy with a "big leg," I guess this is an apt title.

30. Sonny Sixkiller, Washington

This name was so catchy, the quarterback from Washington had a band named after him, as well as a song titled "The Ballad of Sonny Sixkiller."

Sixkiller had some talent on the field, taking a team that went 1-9 to a 22-10 record over his three seasons at the helm.

29. Pistol Pete Pedro, West Texas State

Pedro was a diminutive talent, standing only 5'9", but was extremely talented.

He battled a member of our honorable mention category, Preacher Pilot, for the national rushing title in 1962.

28. Knute Rockne, Notre Dame

Knute is legendary.

The man's name is synonymous with football excellence and legendary coaching skills.

Hence, he earns a spot on this list.

During his 13 years as head coach at Notre Dame, his teams were 105-12-5 with three national titles.

Ridiculous.

27. Billy Cannon, LSU

Cannon has a special place in the annals of LSU football.

He remains their only Heisman winner to this day.

His most famous moment came in 1958, when he returned a punt against Ole Miss to win the game.

26. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia

Any name that includes "Brick" is great.

As an offensive linemen, it's a perfect title.

Ferguson also occasionally played linebacker in rare defensive sets.

25. Darius Passmore, Marshall

Wide receivers are legendary for their arrogance and consistent begging for the football.

This has got to be the height of irony.

Passmore just so happens to be a wide receiver.

Incredibly apropos last name, don't you think?

24. Lawyer Milloy, Washington

Milloy was an absolute terror in the defensive backfield as a safety for Washington.

With a name like "Lawyer," you might think he got his way by use of subtle verbal nuances and stunning rhetoric.

Not so—Milloy was known more for his hard-hitting physical abilities than his vocabulary.

23. Co-Eric Riley, Mississippi State

Imagine that conversation with our parent.

"What?"

"I have a Co-Me?!"

"Why haven't you told me before?"

22. Dick Butkus, Illinois

This is a classic.

For a man who played linebacker, there may be no better name.

His sneer was enough to strike fear into the hearts of running backs everywhere.

21. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska

Score points for the royalty inspired first name.

Score major points for the incredibly fun to pronounce last name.

On top of that the man was the best cornerback in the country during his time with the Huskers.

20. Foswhitt Whittaker, Texas

It just rolls off the tongue.

As if it isn't enough that he gets to haul around that awesome name and the football as a running back, he gets to go by the same name as a muppet.

He goes by Fozzy.

19. Rocco Cironi, Michigan State

Forget the last name that makes him sound like a mob boss.

"Rocco" absolutely sounds like a football player.

Take into account that the guy plays offensive line, and you have a pretty potent combo of titles.

18. Britt Barefoot, Southern Miss

Insert joke including "Barefoot and Mississippi" here.

Not only did he have that going for him, but Barefoot was also a kicker.

Fitting, is it not?

17. Jordan White-Frisbee, Washington

Contrary to what you might believe with a name like that, Frisbee did not wind up as a kicker.

Although he has the two last name thing going for him, and also combines a staple of American society with a specific color, his idea of soaring like his namesake did not come to pass.

He was strictly earthbound as an offensive lineman.

16. John David Booty, USC

He's got the whole two-name thing going for him.

At risk of sounding like someone who enjoys the use of stereotypes, I will point out that he was born in Louisiana.

There are only three states in the union that even allow that.

He played quarterback at USC during Pete Carroll's infamous tenure.

15. Major Applewhite, Texas

Applewhite was the leader of a pantheon of great Texas quarterbacks when he left the school.

He departed Austin as the record holder in eight difference categories for quarterbacks.

Those included longest pass play (97 yards), most consecutive passes without an interception (156) and most yards in a game (473).

14. Major Ogilvie, Alabama

Not only did Ogilvie get one of those "military" names, he got to play for the legendary Bear Bryant.

He also played at 'Bama during one of the greatest stretches in program history.

During his time in T-Town, the Tide only lost four games, and won two national championships.

13. Barkevious Mingo, LSU

Mingo is a key piece of this dominant LSU defense.

And that name is insane.

Score major points for originality.

12. Ndamukong Suh

His name means "House of Spears."

The man plays with a chip on his shoulder and absolutely dominated at the collegiate level.

Coincidence?

I think not.

11. I. M. Hipp, Nebraska

Hipp played running back for Nebraska, and has one of the best names in the history of college football.

His declaration of self-worth is legendary, as was his hair.

10. Rock Cartwright, Kansas State

Rock.

That's right, I said it.

The man was kind of shaped like a rock, with his less than tall height and solid build.

As a running back, that was particularly effective.

9. Tshimanga Biakabutuka, Michigan

This man's 313 yards in an upset win over Ohio State still stands as the best single-game rushing total in Wolverine history.

Not only that, but the guy's name is ridiculously awesome.

For some reason, he decided to go by "Tim" for part of his career, which really puts a damper on the party in your mouth when you pronounce his name.

8. Bronko Nagurski, Minnesota

Look at the man.

Unshaven, no facemask and a sneer that could curdle milk.

Nagurski was the epitome of tough.

With a name like that, it's no wonder.

7. Lawyer Tillman, Auburn

Alabama fans, you may want to avert your eyes.

Tillman is famous for this play in the Iron Bowl, which won the game for the Tigers.

I apologize if this conjures up painful memories.

6. Ray Ray McElrathbey, Clemson

The story of Ray Ray and his love for his siblings is well-documented here and here.

The guy is an incredible person, and has a name that absolutely takes the cake with the use of the double first name.

5. Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, Navy

I'm sorry, put this is insanely difficult to figure out how to pronounce.

That said, it's one of the coolest names, ever.

Twelve vowels.

That's right, a dozen.

4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

The "one-man law firm," earns a place on this list by virtue of his propensity for two names in the place of one.

Not only is his first name a double moniker, but his last name is also of the two-for-one variety.

3. Golden Tate, Notre Dame

This receiver was truly "golden" for the "Golden Domers."

Tate left the Irish with the 2009 Biletnikoff Award and All-American honors.

When he departed, he owned Irish records for single-season receptions and yards.

2. Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State

Not only does the man get a name that conjures up images of a tough, seasoned football star, he gets to play tight end, a position that requires a guy to be a monster, of sorts.

"Stoneburner" has to be one of the top five football last names in the history of the sport.

1. Bear Bryant, Alabama

The Bear is legendary.

There is really no explanation needed.

Nick Saban may someday surpass Bryant as the best coach in 'Bama history, but Bear's name will always be the greatest.