Cam Newton: Where Does He Rank Among the 25 Greatest Players of The Last Decade?
Cam Newton has been at the epicenter of every major college football story this season whether it be his top ranked Auburn team, his Heisman worthy statistics or his alleged off-field transgressions.
With a win over South Carolina in next week's SEC championship, Newton will assure himself of a few things. One; he will be the clear cut Heisman favorite.
Two; his Auburn Tigers will play for the BCS Championship.
Three; he will define himself as one of the most controversial figures in college football history.
With 2254 yards passing, 1336 yards rushing and 43 total touchdowns (versus only six turnovers), Cam Newton could go down as one of the greatest college athletes of all-time, let alone this decade.
Where will he rank? Read on to find out.
Players Ranked 25 Thru 21
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Philip RIvers: NC State
Calvin Johnson: Georgia Tech
Derrick Johnson: Texas
Troy Smith: Ohio State
David Pollack: Georgia
20. Glenn Dorsey
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Dorsey may be a bust in the NFL, but he did nothing but wreak havoc during his time at LSU. Dorsey started three games as a true freshman before turning himself into the nation's top defensive player as a senior.
In 2007, Dorsey recorded 69 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 7 sacks and helped lead a stout LSU defense to a national title victory. By winning the Lott, Lombardi, Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy, Dorsey became the first player in NCAA history to claim all four awards.
19. Darren McFadden
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Run DMC led an exhilarating Razorback offense that utilized fellow backs Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis via the Wildcat.
In three seasons, McFadden rushed for 4,590 yards and 41 touchdowns while leading his team to appearances in the Cotton and Citrus Bowl.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
18. A.J. Hawk
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Between 2002 and 2005 A.J. Hawk played in 51 games for the Ohio State Buckeyes and recorded an eye-popping 394 tackles, 15.5 sacks and 7 interceptions.
Hawk took home all-Big 10 honors for three consecutive seasons and won the Lombardi Award following his senior season.
17. Larry Fitzgerald
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In 2003, Fitzgerald was awarded the Biletnikoff Award as the nations top receiver and barely lost the Heisman voting to Jason White of Oklahoma.
In just 26 collegiate games for the Pittsburgh Panthers, Fitzy hauled in 161 passes for 2,677 yards and a school record 34 (including at least one touchdown in 18 consecutive games).
16. Bryant McKinnie
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Now the starting left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, McKinnie has always been a mountain of a man. Standing 6'8 and weighing 335 pounds, BMK is an immovable force on the offensive line. In fact, during his high school and college career McKinnie never allowed a sack. Not one.
McKinnie played two years Miami after transferring from Junior College and was named an All-American in both seasons. Following the 2001 season, McKinnie was awarded the Outland Trophy and even came in eighth in the Heisman balloting -- an unbelievably rare feat for an offensive lineman.
While many will always remember McKinnie for his wildly outrageous (and pretty hilarious) role in the Vikings Sex Boat scandal, his stellar college play will not soon be forgotten.
15. Michael Crabtree
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As the main receiver for Texas Tech's potent spread offense, Michael Crabtree put up superhuman numbers. In only two seasons, Crabtree caught 231 balls for 3,127 yards and a staggering 41 touchdowns.
His freshman season defied logic. 134 catches. 1962 yards. I haven't seen stats like that outside of a Madden franchise. He was voted the nation's best receiver in both 2007 and 2008, winning both the Biletnikoff and Paul Warfield Awards.
His 10 catch, 127 yard effort against Texas was highlighted by a 28-yard touchdown reception with only a second left as the Red Raiders shocked the top ranked Longhorns.
14. Ed Reed
8 of 21A three-time All-American at Miami, Reed led the nation with nine interceptions as a senior and returned three picks for six. Reed was able to cover receivers, play like a linebacker against the run, and was always a threat to make the big play.
He was the Big East's co-defensive player of the year in 2001 and helped his Hurricane team win the national championship. To this day he holds the schools record for career interceptions (21) and return yardage (389).
13. Adrian Peterson
9 of 21We all know about Adrian Peterson. All Day AP has been one of the NFL's premier backs since the Vikings drafted him in the first round of the 2007 draft. Truth is, he was NFL ready by the end of his freshman season.
As a freshman at Oklahoma, Peterson carried the rock a NCAA-leading 339 times for a frosh record 1,925 yards. This monumental season earned Peterson a second place finish in the 2004 Heisman voting and a spot on the All-American first team.
During his sophomore season, Peterson rushed for 1,120 yards despite being hampered by a high ankle sprain and helped his Oklahoma team to an undefeated record and a spot in the BCS title game (which they lost 55-19 to USC).
His unique combination of speed and strength is unparalleled by any college player this decade.
12. DeAngelo Williams
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Don't let the small school fool you, DeAngelo Williams was one of college football's best players this past decade.
Williams holds the NCAA record for career all-purpose yards with 7,573 and trails only Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams and Tony Dorsett on the all-time rushing list.
With 3,912 yards, Williams two year totals (2004 and 2005) may be the greatest in NCAA history.
11. Eric Crouch
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While Crouch's option offense would never succeed on the professional level, for a few years, he dominated the college scene.
In 2001, Crouch won the Heisman trophy following his 1,500 yard passing, 1,000 yard rushing season. In his four years in Lincoln, Crouch set the school record for wins and touchdowns. In fact, Crouch became only the ninth player in NCAA history to win 35 games as a starter.
As a senior, Crouch led the Cornhuskers to a championship birth, although they were easily handled by Miami 37-14.
10. Pat White
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The list of White's accomplishments are long and momentous. The 6'1 scrambling quarterback amassed an impressive 34-8 record -- the most in West Virginia school history. With 204 yards passing and 220 yards rushing against Pitt in 2006, White joined only eight other players in the 200, 200 club.
His 104 touchdowns are tops in Big East history and his 4,385 rushing yards are the most any Big East quarterback has ever gained. White became only the second player in NCAA history with over 5000 passing yards and 4000 rushing yards and went 4-0 in bowl games (including two BCS victories).
White improved as a passer every season and remained a dangerous ball carrier throughout his career.
9. Terrell Suggs
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If you tuned into an Arizona State game in 2003, chances are you saw Suggs lying on top of a freshly flattened quarterback. Suggs recorded 24 of his 44 career sacks as a Junior, setting the NCAA single season record in the process.
Considered undersized for the defensive end position at 6'3 245, Suggs utilized his tremendous speed and explosive first step to blow by linemen en route to the quarterback. Teams tried everything they could to stop Suggs. Tight end help. Running backs chipping. Double teams. Even triple teams. Nothing slowed down Suggs.
He was as unstoppable as a defensive player could be.
8. Ndamukong Suh
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In his four years at Nebraska, Suh was a terror for opposing quarterbacks. Suh tallied 24 sacks while recording 41 hurries, both staggering numbers for an interior lineman.
His Nebraska defense led the NCAA in both scoring defense and pass efficiency during Suh's senior season helping the 300 pounder win the Lombardi, Bronko Nagurski and Outland trophy.
7. Cam Newton
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While his season is still underway it is almost unfair to Cam to this illustrious group. Still, his mind boggling athletic gifts may dwarf those of any player on this list.
In many ways, his career mirrors that of Vince Young. In Young's senior season in Austin, the 6'5 QB threw for 3000 yards while adding 1000 on the ground and leading his team to the National Title game. Newton was more run-heavy with 2254 passing yards and 1336 rushing yards, but the totals are quite similar. The biggest difference I notice is that Newton has 43 TD's and 6 turnovers while Young tallied 36 and 10 in his final season.
Assuming Newton and his Tiger teammates can knock off the Gamecocks and earn a spot in the national championship game, Newton has to be ranked near Vince. However, until Newton actually wins a national title, he will have to fall short of Young and his BCS championship victory.
6. Sam Bradford
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Despite playing only two full seasons, this list would not be complete without Sam Bradford.
As a freshman, Bradford took over the starting job when Rhett Bomar was dismissed from the team for violating NCAA rules. In 14 games, the freshman threw for 3,121 yards with 36 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions.
The next season, Bradford improved his already staggering numbers with over 4700 yards and a 50 to 8 touchdown to interception ratio and took home the Heisman for his efforts. Despite playing only two seasons, Bradford reached a BCS bowl game twice (although they lost both games).
5. Colt McCoy
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Colt McCoy was being red-shirted during Texas' 2005 national championship season, but took the helm the following season as a redshirt freshman. In four seasons as a starter, McCoy totaled a school record 13,253 passing yards with 132 total touchdowns.
Despite not winning the Heisman, McCoy garnered a plethora of accolades at Texas. In 2009, he took home the Johnny Unitas Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Chic Harley Award and the Maxwell Award. McCoy was the 2008 Heisman runner-up and had his number 12 immediately retired.
McCoy won three bowl games in his first three seasons, but was injured in the first quarter of the 2010 BCS national championship game and was forced to watch from the sidelines while his Longhorns lost to Alabama 37-21.
4. Reggie Bush
18 of 21Perhaps the most dynamic running back in my lifetime, Bush gave fans across the country reason to tune in for USC football games. Seemingly every week Bush performed some athletic feat that my eyes had never witnessed.
Cuts so sharp they should break ankles. Jukes with such agility that defenders struggled to maintain any sense of balance. His Heisman trophy may have been given back, but his accomplishments remain unblemished.
During Bush's Heisman winning 2005 season, the dynamic back rushed for 1,740 yards on 8.7 yards per carry while adding 37 catches for 478 yards and 19 total touchdowns. USC defeated Oklahoma 55-19 in the 2005 BCS championship game (although it was later forfeited), and barely lost the 2006 championship against Texas.
3. Vince Young
19 of 21While Young's professional career seems to have taken a turn for the worse, he remains a legend in Austin for his remarkable performances while playing for the University of Texas.
In 2005, Young became the first player in NCAA history to record more than 3000 yards passing and 1000 yards rushing. In three seasons, Young amassed a remarkable 30-2 record and set a then school record for total offense.
His performance in Texas' 2006 Rose Bowl victory over the favored USC was legendary as Young threw for 267 yards while rushing for another 200 including three touchdowns.
2. Matt Leinart
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A two-time NCAA QB of the year and the 2004 Heisman winner, Leinart had a phenomenal college career. With 10,693 yards, Leinart trails only Carson Palmer in career yardage.
His 99 touchdowns and 64.8 career completion percentage? Good for first in school history. In three seasons as a starter, Leinart produced a 37-2 record and cemented his place in NCAA history.
1. Tim Tebow
21 of 21Over 9,000 passing yards. Almost 3,000 more on the ground. 145 total touchdowns. Two national championships. One Heisman. During his four years at Florida, Tebow became the face of the sport while leading the Gator's potent spread offense.
Fans seem to fall into one of two camps regarding Tebow -- you either love him or loathe him. Regardless of how you feel, you have to respect what TT accomplished and acknowledge that he has earned his spot as the decades best player.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
