The 20 greatest players in UCLA football history

Additionally a standout on the UCLA baseball workforce, Washington rushed for 1,915 yards, a college report for greater than 30 years, and nonetheless ranks throughout the faculty’s profession prime 20. Washington hung out at quarterback and was a beginning defensive again. He’s thought of one of many Bruins’ first Black star soccer gamers. He was honored as a second-team All-American in 1939, and his No. 13 was retired by the college.

Sure, we’re speaking about that Jackie Robinson. Maybe many sports activities followers did not notice how versatile as a multi-sport star Robinson was at UCLA. After getting his ft moist at Pasadena Junior Faculty, he grew to become the primary Bruin to earn a varsity letter in 4 sports activities (soccer, basketball, baseball, and observe and area). In 1939, he joined the aforementioned Kenny Washington and Woody Strode because the three Black gamers within the Bruins’ four-man backfield — a complete rarity on the time. That squad went 6-0-4, and Robinson earned All-Pac-10 honors. In 1940, Robinson was UCLA’s prime rusher (383 yards), passer (444 yards), and scorer (36 factors). He was additionally among the many nation’s prime return males and began at security. Although Robinson wore No. 28 on the soccer workforce, his famed No. 42 was retired by UCLA throughout all sports activities.

Baldwin’s time at UCLA was interrupted by a stint serving in World Struggle II. Earlier than serving, Baldwin scored a landing throughout UCLA’s first-ever win over rival USC, 14-7, in 1942. When he returned from serving his nation, the satisfaction of California’s Kern County and Bakersfield Excessive, Baldwin performed effectively sufficient to grow to be the primary Bruin to earn All-American honors and end seventh within the 1946 Heisman Trophy race. Although not a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame, Baldwin had his No. 38 retired by the Bruins.

Earlier than Moomaw’s controversial profession as a Presbyterian minister, he was a two-way star for the Bruins throughout the early Nineteen Fifties. He is the primary UCLA participant to be twice named an All-American (1950, ’52). Although Moomaw by no means performed within the NFL and spent slightly time within the CFL, he’s a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame, had his No. 80 jersey retired by UCLA, and the “Donn D. Moomaw Award for Excellent Defensive Participant in USC Recreation” continues to be introduced to this present day.

A local of close by Burbank, Cameron was one other two-way star for the Bruins throughout the early Nineteen Fifties. Along with his potential to successfully run the ball and as a defender, Cameron was recognized to throw the ball. He threw a key interception throughout the then-undefeated Bruins’ 14-12 loss to rival USC in 1952. That stated, Cameron continues to be thought of one of many sport’s greatest gamers of that period, ending third within the Heisman Trophy voting in 1951 and sixth in ’52. His No. 34 was retired at UCLA.

A member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame, Kilmer obtained it carried out along with his legs and arm whereas the focus of UCLA’s single-wing offensive formation. The All-American loved his greatest season with the Bruins in 1960 when he led the nation with 1,869 complete yards of offense. He ran for eight touchdowns and handed for eight that season, throughout which he ranked fifth within the nation with a 42.3 common yards per punt. Kilmer was named MVP of the 1961 Faculty All-Star Recreation.

Often known as “The Nice One,” Beban continues to be the one Bruin to win the Heisman Trophy. That got here throughout his stellar 1967 senior season when Beban threw for 1,359 yards and eight touchdowns whereas working for 227 and 11 TDs. A disappointing 21-20 loss to rival USC stored the Bruins from an undefeated season, however Beban additionally earned All-American honors and received the Maxwell Award in ’67. For his profession, Beban ranks amongst UCLA’s top-20 profession passes with 4,087 and is ninth all-time in class historical past with 5,358 mixed dashing and passing yards. He ran for 35 touchdowns whereas passing for 23. A Faculty Soccer Corridor of Famer, Beban’s No. 16 has been retired by the varsity.

Almost a decade after Gary Beban starred beneath heart for the Bruins, Sciarra got here alongside and put collectively a profession sturdy sufficient to be inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame. Throughout his profession, the All-American threw for two,651 yards, nonetheless among the many prime 20 in class historical past. In the meantime, his 1,813 profession dashing yards are essentially the most from any UCLA quarterback. Sciarra’s 4,464 complete yards are additionally among the many most in annals of Bruins soccer. Sciarra is perhaps greatest recognized for main UCLA to that famed upset over Ohio State within the 1976 Rose Bowl.

To the informal soccer fan of a sure age, Cross is greatest recognized for his stellar profession with the San Francisco 49ers (three-time First-Staff All-Professional and three-time Tremendous Bowl champion). The inspiration was laid at UCLA, the place he began all however six of the 34 video games he performed and the ultimate 23 of his profession. An All-American, Cross was a part of the Bruins workforce that surprised top-ranked Ohio State 23-10 within the Rose Bowl to conclude the 1975 season. He was inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2010.

Robinson was recruited to UCLA as a decent finish and performed huge receiver for many of his freshman season earlier than being switched to linebacker. The transfer proved useful for each events. His 468 profession tackles rank second in program historical past, whereas his 161 tackles from 1978 and 159 recorded in 1976 rank Nos. 1 and a couple of at UCLA, respectively. A 3-time consensus All-American, Robinson recorded 28 tackles in opposition to Air Power in 1976. He additionally returned three interceptions for touchdowns throughout his profession. All of it earned him a spot within the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame. Robinson’s No. 84 was retired by UCLA.

One of many best defensive backs within the historical past of faculty soccer, Easley was a three-time consensus All-American. As a freshman in 1977, Easley began a lot of the season and set a UCLA true-freshman report with 93 tackles. He picked off 9 passes that season. For his stellar collegiate profession, Easley is the Bruins’ all-time chief with 19 interceptions and ranks fifth in class historical past with 374 tackles. He is a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame, and his No. 5 jersey was retired by the Bruins.

Earlier than McNeil grew to become a three-time Professional Bowler for the New York Jets, he laid the muse for his NFL success with the Bruins. His 3,297 dashing yards nonetheless rank fourth in class historical past, with 21 touchdowns and a median of 5.3 yards per carry. McNeil recorded 1,396 of these yards in 1979, the fifth-most in a single season from any UCLA participant. He was a two-time All-Pac-10 choice and the No. 3 total choose within the 1981 NFL Draft.

No offense to Gary Beban, however in terms of UCLA’s most recognizable quarterback, Aikman needs to be on the prime of the listing. After accidents brought about Aikman to lose his beginning job at Oklahoma, Aikman landed in Westwood. In two seasons, he threw for five,298 yards (eighth-most in class historical past). Aikman ranks among the many Bruins’ all-time leaders in landing passes (41) and completion share (64.8). He was the Pac-10 Offensive Participant of the Yr in 1987 and a consensus All-American and Davey O’Brien Award winner in 1988. Aikman is each a Faculty and Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer and had his No. 8 retired by UCLA in 2014.

The newest of the ten Bruins to have their jersey numbers retired by the college. Ogden, additionally a standout within the shotput for the UCLA observe and area workforce, was a four-year beginning deal with in Westwood. Throughout his junior and senior seasons, Ogden allowed simply two sacks. In his last collegiate season of 1995, Ogden was named UPI Lineman of the Yr and received the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s prime inside lineman. Ogden went on to make 11 Professional Bowls with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s a member of each the Faculty and Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.

UCLA has produced among the best quarterbacks in school soccer historical past, however this system has not been too shabby concerning working backs. Hicks is perhaps one of many extra unheralded members on our listing. He ranks eighth in class historical past with 3,140 yards however first with 48 dashing touchdowns and 55 total scores — the latter can also be a Pac-10 report. Hicks’ 26 complete touchdowns from 1997, when honored as a first-team All-American, are nonetheless essentially the most for any Bruin in a single season.

Cade McNown took a variety of warmth as a professional quarterback for the Chicago Bears, however no person can argue the success he loved at UCLA. McNown, who grew to become a starter as a real freshman, is the varsity’s all-time passing chief with 10,708 yards — the one UCLA quarterback (coming into the beginning of the 2022 season) to throw for no less than 10,000 yards. In the meantime, he ranks among the many faculty’s leaders in completions (694), passing touchdowns (68), and complete offense (11,285 yards). The Pac-10 Co-Offensive Participant of the Yr and Johnny Unitas Award winner in 1998, McNown — a Chicago Soccer Corridor of Fame member — proudly owns the excellence of going 4-0 in opposition to rival USC.

A current inductee into the UCLA Athletics Corridor of Fame, Foster ranks fifth all-time at UCLA with 3,454 yards (1,109 of these yards got here throughout the 2001 marketing campaign). He ranks among the many faculty’s leaders with 44 touchdowns. On Oct. 13, 2001, Foster ran for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns on 31 carries in opposition to Washington. It was a single-game faculty report till Maurice Jones-Drew ran for 322 on 26 carries, additionally versus Washington, in September 2004. 

UCLA’s profession chief with 30.5 sacks. Ball additionally ranks third in class historical past with 43.5 tackles for loss. At 6-foot-5 and over 250 kilos, Ball was a reasonably menacing determine for the Bruins. He began three seasons at UCLA and was twice named a First-Staff All-Pac-10 performer (2002, ’03). He received Pac-10 Defensive Participant of the Yr and was a unanimous All-American for the 2003 season when he recorded 16.5 of his sacks. 

It’d shock informal school soccer followers that Franklin is UCLA’s all-time main rusher with 4,620 yards. He is the one UCLA participant to hurry for no less than 4,000 profession yards. Franklin can also be the Bruins’ single-season dashing chief with 1,734 from 2012 when he averaged a stellar 6.1 yards per carry. With regards to all-time scoring, Franklin’s 33 complete touchdowns rank among the many faculty’s prime 20. In 2012, Franklin was additionally named a first-team All-American and completed second for the Doak Walker Award.

No one has recorded extra profession tackles at UCLA than Kendricks’ 481. A beast when pursuing the soccer, Kendricks had a knack for locating the ball provider. His 150 tackles from 2012 and 149 throughout the 2014 season rank Nos. 3 and 4 for a season at UCLA, respectively. On the finish of the 2014 marketing campaign, Kendricks grew to become the primary Bruin to win the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s prime linebacker.