Georgia Football: The Top 50 Players in School History

The Georgia football program is just as rich in tradition as any other storied program in college football history.

And because of its history of winning, great players have made their mark on the program.

There were dominating running backs, clutch quarterbacks, dynamic wide receivers and intimidating offensive and defensive linemen who paved the way for the current players today.

But who were the best players in the history of Georgia football? Who made such an impact on the field that current fans continue to talk about their time in Athens?

It was not an easy task, but I compiled a list of the top 50 players in UGA history. I hope you enjoy it.

No. 50: Fred Gibson, WR

Gibson was one of the most explosive receivers to ever step on the field in Athens. He played from 2001 to 2004 and finished his career with 2,884 yards which is the second most in school history.

Gibson also caught 20 touchdown passes which is the third best in UGA history.

No. 49: Justin Houston, LB

Houston was a linebacker in the 3-4 but also played defensive end in the 4-3. Regardless, he was one of the best pass rushers to ever play for the Bulldogs.

In three seasons, Houston recorded 20 sacks including 10 his final year with the Bulldogs in 2010. He was named to the All-America team that same year and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2010 NFL Draft.

No. 48: Leonard Pope, TE

There have been plenty of great tight ends to come though Athens, including the one they have on their roster now. But Leonard Pope was a one of a kind talent that just made plays constantly.

The two-time first team All-SEC player was a huge target that had hands of gold. He finished his career with 65 receptions and 10 touchdowns.

No. 47: Robert Edwards, RB

When Edwards first came to Georgia, he was recruited as a cornerback and started until his sophomore year. Edwards then made the transition to running back and it was probably one the best moves Georgia ever made.

He set a school record in 1995, scoring five touchdowns in a game against South Carolina. Two years later, he scored four touchdowns in a rare win against Florida.

No. 46: Richard Tardits, DE

They called Tardits Le Sack because he could flat out get after the quarterback and he was born in France. Tardits led the team in sacks from 1986-88 and ended his career with 29 which is the second most in team history.

No. 45: Willie McClendon, RB

McClendon emerged as one of the best running backs in college football in 1978. He rushed for 1,312 yards and was named SEC Player of the Year.

No. 44: Richard Seymour, DT

Seymour is known more for his time with the New England Patriots, but he was also a very good defensive tackle for the Bulldogs. He was a two-time first team All-SEC player and was also named to the All-American team in 2000.

No. 43: Max Jean-Gilles, OL

Jean-Gilles started 40 games for the Bulldogs and was dominant in every game he played. He was consensus All-America selection in 2005 and was named as a permanent team captain the same year. 

No. 42: Sean Jones, S

 Jones was just simply a play maker. In 2003, he was named to the All-American team, as he compiled 111 tackles, three blocked kicks and five interceptions.

No. 41: Freddie Gilbert, DE

Gilbert was a member of three SEC championships and one national title during his time with the Bulldogs. He holds the record for sacks in a game with five and is fourth on Georgia's all-time sack list with 26.

No. 40: Greg Blue, S

Many Bulldog fans will say that the most feared defender in UGA history is Greg Blue. Known for his ferocious hits, Blue led the team in tackles with 96 in 2005 and was named to the All-American team for his efforts.

No. 39: Billy Bennett, K

Another thing Georgia is known for is its kickers and Bennett was a good one. He made 79 percent of his field goals which is second all-time and currently holds the SEC record for kicking points in a career with 409.

No. 38: Thomas Davis, S

Like Blue, Davis was a very intimidating defender who caused havoc wherever he was on the field. Davis led the team in tackles in 2003 and 2004 and was named to the All-American team in 2004. 

No. 37: Hines Ward, WR/RB/QB

Before Ward was breaking records with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was playing running back, quarterback and wide receiver for the Dawgs. He was named to the All-SEC team in 1997.

No. 36 Fran Tarkenton

Tarkenton did some big things for the Minnesota Vikings, but really came onto the football scene in Athens. Tarkenton led the Bulldogs to a SEC championship in 1959 and was an All-American in 1960.

No. 35: Boss Bailey, LB

Bailey was fast, athletic and one of the key players in the Bulldogs 13-1 run in 2002. He was named to the All-American team that same year and was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and the Lombardi Award.

No. 34: Vernon "Catfish" Smith, E

Smith was a three sport athlete in Athens, but really made a name for himself on the football field. He was named to the All-American team in 1931 and is also a member of the National College Football Hall of fame.

No. 33: Jon Stinchcom, OL

Stinchcomb was one of the most dominant offensive lineman in Georgia history and he was also one of the smartest. Not only was he an All-American in 2002, he was also a first team Academic All-American which is always refreshing to see.

No. 32: Knowshon Moreono, RB

There are very few players that made such an immediate impact like Moreno did in 2007 and 2008. He was finalist for the Doak Walker Award in 2008 and finished his career fourth on UGA's all-time rushing list with 2,734.

No. 31: Matthew Stafford, QB

Stafford is looking good with the Detroit Lions, but when he was at Georgia, NFL scouts knew they were looking at a special kid. Stafford holds the school record for most passing touchdowns in a season with 25 and is third on the school's all-time list in touchdowns passes (51) and passing yards (7,731).

No. 30: Lindsay Scott, WR

Scott was not known for just one play, although it could be the most memorable play in Georgia history (search for Run Lindsay, Run on YouTube). Scott was a reliable receiver and finished his career sixth on the school's all-time list with 2,098.

No. 29: Brice Hunter, WR

There are many people that could argue that Hunter was the best receiver in UGA history. He's fourth on the school's all-time list in career receiving yards and second on the list in career pass receptions. He also holds the record for most catches in a season with 76. His life came to a tragic end in 2004 when he was shot and killed right outside his Chicago apartment.

No. 28: Drew Butler, P

Butler is the best punter to step on a field in Athens. The 2009 Ray Guy Award winner holds the school's record in punting average in a season along with net punting average in a season.

No. 27: Rex Robinson, K

Robinson was a very reliable kicker who made 101 consecutive extra points which is the second best ever in NCAA history. He was a two-time All-American and was a member of the 1980 national championship team.

No. 26: Knox Culepepper, LB

Culpepper was simply a linebacker that knew how to get to the football. He holds the team record for most tackles in a game (26), and most tackles in a season (170).

No. 25: Ben Zambiasi, LB

As good as Culpepper was for the Bulldogs, Zambiasi was probably better. He holds the school record for tackles in a career (467) and first on the schools all-time list for solo tackles in a season (96). He was named to the All-American team in 1976.

No. 24: Jimmy Payne , DT

Payne was one of those guys who could play defensive end or linebacker because he was that fast and agile. The defensive tackle finished his career with 28 sacks which is second on the school's all-time list and was named to the All-America team in 1982. His life came to a end in 1998 after suffering from a long illness.

No. 23: Rodney Hampton, RB

Georgia is also known for its great running backs and Hampton falls into that category. He holds the record in all-purpose yards in a game (290) and is fifth in UGA history with 2,668 rushing yards.

No. 22: Lars Tate, RB

Tate falls into the category of talented running backs that were exciting to watch. He's third on UGA's all-time list for rushing yards in a career and is also second on the school's all-time lost for touchdowns scores in a career with 36.

No. 21: A.J. Green, WR

A.J. Green could possibly be the most exciting offensive player in UGA history that is not named Herschel Walker. He's third on the school's all-time list for receiving yards in a career and his 23 touchdown receptions puts him second on the school's all-time list.

No. 20: Pat Dye, OL

Dye was one of the key players in Georgia's run to a 1959 SEC Championship in 1959 and an Orange Bowl win in 1960. He was a two-time All-American who went on to become a very successful coach for the Auburn Tigers.

No. 19: Scott Woerner, CB

Woerner was very good corner but also excelled in punt returns. He is second on UGA's all time list for interceptions and set the school record for punt return yards. He was a member of the 1980 national championship team and was name to the All-America team that same year.

No: 18: Matt Stinchcomb, OL

Matt Stinchcomb was a two-time All-American for the Bulldogs who started 32 consecutive games at tackle. He was a finalist for the Lombardi trophy in 1998 and was also a two-time Academic All-American. He was a first round draft choice by the Oakland Raiders in 1999.

No. 17: Terrence Edwards, WR

Edwards is by far the most accomplished receiver in UGA history. He is the teams all-time leader in receptions and the conference all-time leader in receiving yards with 3,093. He also holds the school record for touchdown catches in one season (11) and touchdown catches in a career (30).

No. 16: Ray Goff, QB

Believe it or not, Goff was very successful at Georgia (at quarterback that is). He led the Bulldogs to 19 wins from 1975-76 and was even named SEC Player of the Year, as he led the Bulldogs to the SEC title.

No. 15: Champ Bailey: CB/ WR

Some fans consider Bailey as the most versatile athlete to ever play for the red and black. He was a consensus All-American selection in 1998 where he recorded 52 tackles and three interceptions on defense and 744 receiving yards and five touchdowns on offense.

No. 14: Garrison Hearst, RB

Here's another great running back for you. Hearst was a consensus All-American selection in 1992 and even won the Doak Walker Award. He also placed third in Heisman voting and won the 1993 ESPY for Outstanding College Athlete.

No. 13: Eric Zeier, QB

Zeier is the most prolific quarterback to ever play for the Bulldogs. He set 67 school records and was the first Georgia player in 34 years to be named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America team in 1994.

No. 12: Bob McWhorter, RB

McWhorter had the honor to be named the first ever All-American for Georgia in 1913. He was a four-time all conference half backs and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.

No. 11: David Greene, QB

Stafford maybe more gifted and Zeier was more prolific. But Greene was simply the best. He holds the SEC record for career passing yards and holds the school record for passing touchdowns in a career. When he left Athens he won more games than any other quarterback in NCAA history with 42 victories.

No. 10: Bill Hartman, FB

Hartman was an All-American fullback that became one of the most influential figures in Georgia history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and was also inducted in the UGA Circle of Honor in 1999.

No. 9: Kevin Butler, K

Butler is a two-time All-American, a four time All-SEC selection and is Georgia all-time scoring leader with 353 points. Butler also helped the Bulldogs capture two SEC titles during his tenure. That's why a kicker is in the top 10.

No. 8: Jake Scott, S

Scott is probably the best defensive back in all of college football during the 60s. He is Georgia's all-time leader in interceptions (16) and was named to the All-America team in 1968. He was also inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.

No. 7: Terry Hoage, ROV

Hoage was so good at his position, he was fifth in the 1983 Heisman Trophy balloting, the two-time consensus All-American was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and also inducted into the UGA Circle of Honor in 2001.

No. 6: Bill Stanfill, DT

Stanfill was a key part to a Bulldog defense that was 25-6-2 from 1966-68. He as a consensus All-American in 1968 and was inducted into the National College Football Hall of fame in 1998. He was also a very good NFL player, playing with the Miami Dolphins from 196-76 and still is the leader in career sacks.

No. 5: Theron Sapp

Sapp will always be known as "The Drought Breaker" because his touchdown against Georgia Tech in 1957 led the Bulldogs to victory which was the first time in eight years the Bulldogs have defeated the Jackets. He was an All-SEC selection in 1958 and his jersey was retired in 1959.

No. 4: David Pollack, DE

Pollacks has the distinction of being one of only two Bulldogs being named to the All-America team for three years. He is the Bulldogs all-time leader in sacks, won the Lombardi, Bednarik and Lott Trophy in 2004 and was also named the SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.

No. 3: Charley Tippi, RB

Trippi was a guy that could do it all. He could run, throw, kick or perform at halftime if needed. Trippi won the Maxwell Award in 1948 and was second in the Heisman Trophy Balloting. He led the SEC in scoring in 1949 with 84 points and finished with 1,366 yards of total offense.

No. 2: Frank Sinkwich, RB

Sinkwich was a two-time All-American and was the first player from Georgia to win the Heisman in 1942. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1964 and the UGA Circle of Honor in 1996.

No. 1: Herschel Walker, RB

Was it really a surprise who was going to be No. 1?

Walker is by far the most decorated UGA player of all time. Not only did he win the Heisman in 1982, he was the first three-time All-American for the Bulldogs, he held 10 NCAA rushing records, 15 SEC rushing record and30 Georgia records when his career was complete.

In 1999, Walker was named by CBS as the College Offensive Player of the Century. He was also named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Some people have went on record and said that Walker is the greatest college football player to ever play the game. So, it makes perfect sense to have him on top of this list.