Auburn Football: The Top 50 Tigers in School History

Few players ever make it to legendary status at their respective school. There are numerous players that aren't legends, but have made major impacts over the years for Auburn, however, and their impacts will not be soon forgotten.

This is a compilation of 50 Auburn Tigers whose performance shaped Auburn football into one of the most powerful teams in the Southeastern Conference. 

All of these Tigers made waves in their time and with Auburn and left lasting impacts for the future. Three Heisman winners and numerous award winners are included in this list, as well as players whose names aren't as famous as Cam Newton or Bo Jackson, but their impact was lasting all the same. 

Here are the top 50 Auburn Tigers in Tigers football history. 

Tommy Lorino: ATH

Lorino was an all-purpose player for Auburn during the late 1950’s. Lorino played for Shug Jordan and was a part of the national title winning team in 1957. During his tenure with the Tigers, he made a big impact on opposing offenses and defenses.

Against Alabama in 1957, Lorino contributed to the Tigers' routing of the Tide with a 79-yard interception return for touchdown. That game was won by the Tigers 40-0 and led to the national title.

Lorino also had a big season for the Tigers in 1956, as he carried the ball 82 times and averaged 8.44 yards a carry. The 8.44 yards a carry average has him ranked second behind only current player Onterio McCalebb for the highest yards per carry produced in a season. 

Buddy McClinton: S

Buddy McClinton was a starter from day one during his time with the Tigers. McClinton is the all-time interception leader for the Tigers, with a total of 18 in his career. He also holds the most in a single season with nine.

McClinton earned three consecutive All-SEC defensive honors and was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

In 1969, the same interception record setting season, he was named a consensus first team All-American safety. McClinton left a legacy and set the bar high for any defensive back that plays at Auburn University.

Kevin Greene: OLB

Greene came to the Tigers as a walk-on from Granite City South High School in Illinois. He was a force from the outside linebacker position and earned defensive player of the year honors at Auburn during the 1984 season, known as the Zeke Smith award.

Greene led the Southeastern Conference in sacks his senior year, when he piled up 11 sacks from the outside linebacker position. Greene is one of many Auburn Tigers that carried his play over into the NFL and now into coaching.

Greene now coaches outside linebackers for the Green Bay Packers.

Terry Daniel: P

Daniel was a consensus All-American punter for the Auburn Tigers. In 1993, he averaged 46.9 yards a punt. In his career, he finished with a 44.5 yard average. Daniel’s ’93 average is still the best in school history.

Wes Byrum: K

Wes Byrum is the lone kicker on the top 50 list. He is most famous for his 19-yard field goal in the BCS national title game in 2010. Byrum also hit the winning kick against Florida in 2007 and made himself famous with the Gator chomp while the kick was midflight.

Byrum holds the Tigers' No. 1 spot for top scorer in history and holds the record for the most accurate season at Auburn for a kicker. In 2009, he finished 15 of 16, giving him a .938 percentage.

James Bostic: RB

Bostic was a big impact player for the Auburn Tigers during the 1993 season. He led the SEC in rushing during the 1993 season with 1,205 rushing yards and finished with 12 touchdowns. He also averaged 6.1 yards a carry that season.

1993 was a special season for the Tigers, as they finished undefeated, and Bostic was a huge part of that success. 

Quentin Riggins: LB

Riggins was a leader of the 1989 Auburn Tigers defense, as he finished the season as an All-SEC performer and a team captain. Riggins also finished his career as the fifth leading tackler in Auburn history.

Riggins now serves the Auburn Tigers as the sideline reporter for the Auburn ISP sports network on game days.

Tyrone Goodson: WR

Goodson was a receiver for the Tigers from 1993-97. He is in the top five in numerous categories in Auburn’s record books. One of the most impressive stats for Goodson is his total receiving yards. He finished his career only second to Terry Beasley, with 2,283 total receiving yards.

Goodson also comes in at fourth in total receptions at Auburn. Goodson is one of the better receivers in Auburn’s history. 

Courtney Taylor: WR

Taylor will forever be etched in time with his winning touchdown catch against LSU in 2004, keeping the Tigers in the undefeated column. Taylor was a workhorse type of receiver at Auburn, as he finished his career as the Tigers' leading pass catcher with 153 total receptions.

Taylor also finished fourth in total receiving yards in his career as well, finishing with 2,098 yards. Taylor, like many famous Tigers, began his career as a walk-on and earned a reputation as a go-to receiver in the 2004 undefeated season. 

Rudi Johnson: RB

Rudi Johnson only had one season at Auburn, as he appeared on the scene as a JUCO transfer in 2000. He put up the second highest rushing total in one season during 2000, finishing with 1,567 yards on the season.

Only one running back has totaled more yardage in one season than Johnson, and his name was Bo Jackson. Johnson is in elite company despite his short career as a Tiger. Rudi gave life to a team that needed a jolt after a losing season. Johnson helped the Tigers make it to the SEC Championship game against Florida in 2000.

Joe Cribbs: RB

Cribbs was a part of a golden age for Auburn running backs. He played alongside future NFL players in William Andrews and James Brooks.

Cribbs started his career slow, but in 1978-79, he broke out of the pack. Cribbs went on to finish his career with Auburn third on the total touchdowns list with 34. He also comes in at sixth for average yards per game in a career.

Cribbs finished one of the best seasons of any Auburn rusher in 1978, with 16 rushing touchdowns and 1,205 rushing yards.

Antonio Coleman: DE

Coleman was a great pass rusher during his career at Auburn. He was an integral part of the leadership for the Tigers during the transition to the Chizik era of football. In his career, he finishes third on Auburn’s all-time sack list with 24.5 total sacks in his career.

Coleman also finished his 2009 season as a consensus All-SEC selection. 

Tex Warrington:C

Warrington was Auburn’s second center in 1944 to win All-American honors. Warrington also played linebacker at his time at Auburn. He was known as a hardnosed player that sought contact on every play.

Walter was the only All-American for the Tigers during the 1944 season.

Kendall Simmons: LT

Simmons was a huge asset to the Tigers team during his four-year career. He was likely one of the best offensive line performers in Auburn’s history. He was a two time first team All-SEC selection and also was a third team All-American selection in 2000.

Simmons went on to be drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 30th overall pick.

Freddie Smith: LB

Fast Freddie Smith was one of the most electric defensive players for Auburn in his career. Smith earned his nickname from his fast attack play and fierce striking ability.

He finished his career as the Auburn’s all-time leading tackler with 528 tackles. That rounds out to around 13 tackles per game to reach that total. Gregg Carr is the next in line to Smith in the total tackles column with 453. He also finishes twice in the top five for total tackles in a season during his career.

What Smith was able to accomplish in his career at Auburn is nothing short of amazing. He is one of the best, least talked about players in Auburn history. 

Fob James: HB

James began his football career at Auburn in 1952. He want to be a four-year letterman from 1952-55 under the leadership of Shug Jordan.

James was a 1955 All-American selection as well. James finished the 1955 season with a 7.15 yards per carry average, which places him as the eight best in yards per carry in a Tigers season.

James also became the 48th governor for the state of Alabama in 1979.

Stan White: QB

White was the starting quarterback for the 1993 undefeated season under the leadership of Terry Bowden. White did not finish the 1993 season due to an injury sustained in the Alabama game, finishing his career as a Tiger.

White is still the leading career passer, finishing his career with 8,016 yards passing. White also leads the Tigers record books with total completions and finishes fourth with total passing touchdowns.

White is now the color commentator for the Auburn ISP sports network for all Auburn football games.

James Brooks: RB

Brooks finished his Auburn career as the third leading rusher with 3,523 yards. He ran alongside two other Auburn greats in Joe Cribbs and William Andrews. Brooks also finished his career third in average yards per game, with 92.7 yards throughout his career.

Brooks was also a very dangerous kick returner and still holds the top spot for the Tigers in total kickoff return yards with 1,726 yards in his career. Brooks also ranks in the top spot for Auburn’s total all-purpose yards in a career. 

Dameyune Craig: QB

Craig earned the starting nod for the Tigers in 1996. Craig was a leader for the Tigers offense and played with a ton of passion in games. In 1997, he led an unexpected rise, as the Tigers won 10 games and finished as the Western Division champions.

Craig led the Tigers to within one point of the Peyton Manning-led Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC title game in 1997.Craig finished his career in the top five in total offense produced and in the No. 2 spot with total touchdowns produced. He finished with 58 total touchdowns.

Karsten Bailey: WR

Karsten Bailey was one of the most prolific pass catchers for Auburn during his tenure with the Tigers. Bailey is listed as the second all-time pass catcher for the Tigers with 150 receptions. He also falls into the third spot for the Tigers for total receiving yardage in a career.

Bailey was a go-to receiving target in his career, leading the Tigers in receptions three years in a row from 1996-98.

Sen’Derrick Marks: DE

Marks came to the Tigers as one of the lowest rated defensive line prospects in 2006. He quickly rose the expectations level of his play in his first year as an undersized lineman by making the freshman All-SEC team in 2006.

He continued to pack on weight in his career, and the once under sized lineman became a fan favorite and preseason selection favorite for his junior season. He left Auburn before his final season but served the Tigers well in the trenches. 

Stephen Davis: RB

Davis came to Auburn from Spartanburg, South Carolina in the 1993 season. Davis started as the Tigers running back during his sophomore season and was an All-SEC selection his last two seasons with the Tigers.

Davis finishes in the top five of almost every major rushing category in the Auburn record books. He finished with a total of 2,811 yards, placing him sixth all-time on Auburn’s total rushing list. Davis went on to be one of the most successful rushers in the NFL to have graduated from Auburn.

Kurt Crain: LB

Crain was an absolute beast from the linebacker position in his time with the Auburn Tigers. Crain had a phenomenal year in 1987, as he finished with 168 tackles on the season and five interceptions. That same year, he had eight games with 15 or more stops.

In 1986, Crain set the current record for tackles in a game, with 19 solo and 26 total in the Georgia game. Crain was an All-American selection after the 1987 season and finished in the top five in total tackles in a season twice for the Tigers in his career. 

Ben Tamburello: C

Tamburello will go down as one of the best offensive lineman ever for the Auburn Tigers. Tamburello was an All-American center selection for the ’85 and ’86 seasons. He was also the SEC offensive Lineman of the Year selection in 1986. Tamburello was selected in the 1987 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Gregg Carr: LB

Carr was a linebacker for the Tigers during the 1981-84 seasons. He finished the ’84 season as a consensus All-American selection for his stellar play. Carr finished his career second in tackles for Tigers all-time, only second to Freddie Smith.

Carr led the team in tackles in both the ’82 and ’83 seasons. Carr also finished two of his seasons in the top 10 for total tackles in a season. Carr was one of the most efficient linebackers in Auburn history. 

Ronnie Brown: RB

Brown was a part of one of the most dangerous Auburn running back tandems in history. Brown started his career with less fan fair that fellow teammate Carnell Williams until 2002, when Williams went down with an injury.

Brown rushed for 1,008 yards and 13 touchdowns in that season. He finished his career eigth all-time in total rushing yards with 2,707 despite sharing carries with Williams during the 2003 and 2004 season’s.

Brown is also fifth in total rushing touchdowns with 29 in his career. Brown was drafted by the Miami Dolphins as the second overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft. 

Karlos Dansby: LB

Dansby began his career at strong safety and shifted to outside linebacker during his sophomore year. Dansby made the consensus All-American list his final season in 2003. He was a part of a defense that was expected to lead the country in 2003.

Dansby finished the 2003 season as the Tigers' leading tackler, with 84 that season. Dansby was one of the premier linebackers in the country in his time at Auburn and always found his way to the football.

Dansby also led the 2001 team in interceptions with five.

Takeo Spikes: LB

Takeo Spikes was one of the fiercest tacklers in his tenure at Auburn. He earned All-American honors in 1997. He finished his career tenth in total tackles with the Tigers and led the team in tackles during the 1996 and 1997 seasons.

Spikes has the nickname TKO, which means “The Knock Out." He is still a heavy hitter in the NFL today, as he plays with the San Diego Chargers. 

Jimmy Phillips: WR

Phillips was a member of the 1957 national title team. He was a co-captain for the national title squad as well. Phillips comes in the 23rd spot for Auburn in total receiving yardage in a career with 1,012. That doesn’t seem like a huge total, but in the 1955-57 seasons, that was a great total for a receiver. He also averaged 23.8 yards a catch in the 1957 season, finishing with four touchdowns. 

Jimmy Sidle: QB

Sidle came to Auburn as one of the most hotly recruited quarterbacks in the country. Sidle was a 1960’s version of the dual threat, keeping opposing defenses on their heels when he was on the field.

In 1963, he led the Tigers to a 9-1 record and a win over the Joe Namath led Crimson Tide in the season finale. Sidle rushed for 1,006 yards in the 1963 season and led the SEC in total offense the same year.

He finished his career 18th all-time in rushing yardage for the Tigers. As a quarterback, that is a great stat line.

Frank Sanders: WR

Sanders will forever be etched in time with his game-winning catch against Florida to continue the undefeated streak for the Tigers during the 1994 season. Sanders had a much more illustrious career than that single catch, but it is his defining moment.

Sanders finished his career at fifth in receptions, receiving yardage and touchdowns. He finished the 1994 season with 58 receptions, putting him in second place all-time for the Tigers in receptions in a single season.

Aundray Bruce: LB

Bruce was a talented linebacker in his time with the Auburn Tigers during the late 1980’s. Bruce was an All-SEC selection during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. He also was selected as an All-American during the 1987 season.

Bruce was a standout backer for the Tigers, and even became the Citrus Bowl MVP during the 1987 bowl season.

Brent Fullwood: RB

Fullwood was a running back during one of the golden era’s for rushers at Auburn. He played alongside Bo Jackson and Tommie Agee. He racked up 2,789 yards rushing in his career with Auburn, placing him seventh all-time at Auburn.

Fullwood had an amazing season in 1986, finishing with 1,391 rushing yards and averaging 8.33 yards a carry. He was the fourth pick in the 1987 draft by the Green Bay Packers.

Ed Dyas: HB

Ed Dyas is one of 12 former Tigers that has made his way into the college football hall of fame. Dyas earned All-American honors in 1960 while playing fullback for the Tigers. He led the Tigers in rushing in 1960 with 451 yards and also contributed as a kicker.

Dyas is seventh all-time in field goal percentage for the Tigers with a  .708 field goal percentage. During his senior season, he finished fourth in the Heisman voting. He also led the Tigers in scoring the same year with a total of 63 points.

Tucker Frederickson: ATH

Frederickson was an all-around amazing athlete in his time at Auburn. Frederickson played on both sides of the ball for the Tigers and averaged 4.4 yards a carry rushing. He led the team in interceptions from the safety position.

In 1964, he was selected as an All-American and finished as the runner-up in the Heisman voting. He was also selected as the best blocking back in the SEC the same season.

Walter Gilbert: C

Gilbert was a center and linebacker for the Auburn Tigers in the mid-1930’s. He was a three-time letterman and three-time All-American selection for the Tigers. He is one of the 12 Auburn Tigers that has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Hitchcock: QB

Hitchcock played for Auburn during the 1930-32 seasons. He played quarterback, running back and punter for the Tigers. He led the Auburn Tigers to the Southern Conference Championship in 1932 and is one of Auburn’s 12 inductees in the college football hall of fame.

Hitchcock was the first Auburn athlete to earn All-American honors in two sports, baseball and football. 

Marcus McNeill: OG

McNeill was a very vital part of the Tigers' success during the undefeated 2004 season. As a starting tackle, McNeill earned All-American honors in 2004 and 2005. McNeill only allowed one sack in his 28 total games as a starter.

Carlos Rogers: CB

Rogers started 44 games in his lengthy and successful career with the Auburn Tigers. Rogers earned All-American honors for his performance during the 2004 undefeated Tigers season. Rogers was awarded the Thorpe Award following his performance in 2004.

In 2002, he also led the team in interceptions with four. Rogers finished his career with 182 tackles and seven interceptions. Rogers is still Auburn’s career leader in pass deflections and finds himself ranked second for the same mark in SEC history.

Travis Tidwell: QB

Tidwell had one of the most successful careers of any Auburn Tiger during his tenure at the university. Tidwell was only one of two freshmen in NCAA history to lead the nation in total offense. He achieved that feat in 1946.

He also led Auburn to their first victory of Alabama in over 40 years when the Tigers defeated the Tide 14-13.

Tidwell’s most famous play came in 1949, when he knocked an opposing defender during a run and drug him 27 yards after initial contact. Even better, he did it running backwards.

Zeke Smith: DL

Smith was an integral part of the defense for the 1957 undefeated Tigers national title team. He also earned All-American honors during the 1958 and 1959 seasons. He was the first Auburn Tiger to win the Outland Trophy, which he was awarded after the 1958 season.

Smith is a legend in Auburn history as one of the pure examples of hardnosed defensive football.

Tracy Rocker: DL

Tracy Rocker was one of the most feared defensive linemen in the country during his time at Auburn. In 1988, Rocker won the Lombardi and Outland trophies. He was the first player in SEC history to win both awards.

Rocker earned All-American honors during the 1987 and 1988 seasons. Rocker ranks seventh in total tackles for the Tigers and fourth in total sacks.

He returned to the Tigers to join Gene Chizik’s staff and coached the defensive line for two years. He is now the defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans. 

Quentin Groves: DE

Grove s was a force for the Auburn Tigers on the outside from 2004-07. Groves finished his career with the Tigers tied for the all-time sack record, with a total of 26 sacks in his career.

Groves entered the 2007 with 23 career sacks and battled to get the final three to tie the record. Groves finished his career very highly regarded and played with reckless abandon while chasing quarterbacks in the backfield.

Jason Campbell: QB

Campbell started his career with some ups and downs, as he changed coordinators every year that he played with the Tigers.

Despite his woes at the helm, Campbell put together a great career at Auburn. He is currently second in yardage, completions, completion percentage and touchdown tosses. He led the undefeated Tigers team of the 2004 season as well.

Campbell’s 2004 performance was the third highest passing yardage output by a Tiger as well. Campbell was a great leader for the undefeated team and will forever be remembered for his leadership in 2004.

Terry Beasley: WR

Beasley was a part of one of the most famous offensive tandems in Auburn history. Sullivan to Beasley was called 29 times in his illustrious career. Beasley still holds the record for the most receiving yards as well.

Beasley is one of the 12 Auburn members of the College Football Hall of Fame. Beasley was an All-American during the 1970 and 71 seasons. Beasley was picked in the first round of the NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers in 1972.

Pat Sullivan: QB

Sullivan was one of Auburn’s most prolific passers in his career. He led the tandem Sullivan to Beasley throughout his career. Sullivan is one of the 12 Tigers that have been added to the college football hall of fame.

Sullivan was an All-American during the 1970 and 71 seasons. He is still in the top five with total yardage and completions. Sullivan is still the leading touchdown passer for the Tigers, finishing his career with 53 total touchdowns.

Sullivan won the Heisman Trophy in 1971, becoming the first winner for a school that was previously coached by Coach John Heisman, the coach whose name the trophy bears.

Nick Fairley: DL

Fairley was a force on the defensive line for the Tigers during the 2010 season. He was a JUCO transfer during the 2009 season, but didn’t really come on strong until late in the season. He opened the 2010 season with a force.

Fairley was an All-American selection after the 2010 season. Fairley finished the 2010 season with the highest sack total in a single season, as he finished with 11.5 sacks. He was a force in the trenches and one tough defender to stop from entering the backfield.

Fairley left after one season of high production, but produced one of the best seasons ever for an Auburn defensive lineman. He also won the Lombardi Award while under the guidance of former Lombardi Award winner Tracy Rocker. 

Carnell Williams: RB

Williams was the epitome of a tough running back when he played in the orange and blue. Williams battled through injuries throughout his career, but still managed to finish with the second highest rushing total in Auburn history.

Williams also earned All-American honors in the 2004 undefeated season. He is Auburn’s all-time rushing touchdown leader with 45 total scores. He was a powerful runner who electrified the field with his runs.

Williams went on to receive SEC Player of the Week on nine different occasions, which is still the most ever rewarded for a single player.

Bo Jackson: RB

Jackson was the epitome of a running back. He is one of the 12 Tigers that is in the college football hall of fame. He also holds the record for the most 100-yard games in a career with 21.

Jackson’s 1985 season is still one of the best in Auburn’s history. He averaged 162 yards a carry that season, 32 more yards than the next player on the list.

Jackson was Auburn’s second Heisman winner. He won the award in the 1985 season. Jackson still holds the record for most rushing yards in a career at Auburn with 4,303. That total is still the fourth best total in SEC history. 

Cameron Newton: QB

Newton was an All-World player in his single season at Auburn. During his one year, Newton not only reset most of Auburn’s single season passing numbers, he also re-wrote some of the rushing totals. He now holds the most rushing touchdowns in a season, as well as numerous pass records.

Newton went on to be a consensus All-American and won numerous awards for the Tigers. He finished as the AP Player of the Year, Maxwell winner, Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien and the Manning Award. 

Newton also became the third Auburn Tiger to win the Heisman Trophy.

His season produced 20 rushing touchdowns, 29 passing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. His single season at Auburn is likely to be the best performance by any player from now and well into the future.

With the recent release of a statement from the NCAA saying that the Newton recruiting fiasco was found to have no wrongdoing, the Tigers fans can rest easier knowing that his legacy will not be tarnished.