The greatest players in Georgia football history

McWhorter, a Faculty Soccer Corridor of Famer, has the excellence of being the College of Georgia’s first All-American soccer participant. Although the Bulldogs started taking part in school soccer within the Eighteen Nineties, the varsity didn’t maintain full statistics for this system earlier than 1950. So, McWhorter’s reported 61 profession touchdowns aren’t acknowledged by the varsity. Nonetheless, McWhorter’s accomplishments haven’t been misplaced inside the legacy of Georgia soccer.

A 3-sport athlete at Georgia, Smith was a three-time All-Southern decide and All-American in 1931. He’s in all probability finest identified for his efficiency throughout a 1929 recreation towards Yale when he scored all 15 of Georgia’s factors through the victory. As legend has it, Smith earned his well-known nickname after biting the top off a catfish to win a wager whereas in highschool. He is additionally a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame.

On the subject of total athletic expertise on the soccer discipline, Hartman is likely one of the finest. He stood out on each side of the ball throughout his time with the Bulldogs and even loved notable success when requested to kick the ball. In 1937, he unleashed an 82-yard punt towards Tulane. An All-American in 1937, Hartman is a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame.

When Sinkwich gained the Heisman Trophy in 1942, he not solely grew to become the primary participant in Georgia soccer historical past to realize the feat however the first athlete from the Southeastern Convention. In 1941, Sinkwich was the nation’s main rusher with 1,103 yards and set an NCAA document with 2,187 yards of complete offense. For this three-season profession, the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Famer ran for two,271 yards, threw for two,331, and totaled 60 touchdowns. He is one in every of 4 Georgia gamers to have his soccer jersey retired. (He additionally reportedly performed a recreation for the Bulldogs with a damaged jaw.)

A teammate of Frank Sinkwich, Trippi was a nationwide champion (1942), an All-American (1946), SEC Participant of the 12 months (1946), Maxwell Award (1946) winner, and likewise managed to serve in World Conflict II. His 239 speeding yards towards Florida in 1945 nonetheless rank among the many prime 5 in class historical past. Throughout that particular 1946 season, the versatile Trippi, basically the staff’s quarterback and principal return man, helped the Bulldogs to an undefeated season. In opposition to rival Georgia Tech that season, Trippi recorded 544 complete yards and three touchdowns. His jersey is retired at Georgia.

Georgia has produced some stellar quarterbacks over the a long time, however Rauch could be on the prime of the checklist. He began for the Bulldogs as a real freshman, and his 4,044 profession passing yards, an NCAA document on the time, nonetheless rank among the many college’s all-time leaders, alongside together with his 33 profession landing passes. Rauch helped the Bulldogs to 2 SEC championships (1946, ’48) and was named an All-American in his ultimate season.

One other Georgia soccer participant to have his jersey (No. 40) retired. Sapp handled accidents throughout his time with the Bulldogs however nonetheless earned All-SEC recognition in 1957 when he rushed for 599 yards with 5 touchdowns. He was additionally a key contributor on offense and protection throughout a ’57 win over Georgia Tech, which snapped the Bulldogs’ eight-game shedding streak within the collection. Thus, incomes him the nickname “The Drought Breaker.” One 12 months later, Sapp rushed for 635 yards and averaged 5.6 per carry.

To the informal soccer fan over 50, Tarkenton was identified for his success with the Minnesota Vikings, which led to a spot within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. Tarkenton laid that basis for skilled success at Georgia, the place he threw for two,100 yards with 18 touchdowns in three seasons. These aren’t eye-popping numbers, however Tarkenton additionally rushed for greater than 200 yards and 10 touchdowns throughout his profession. A two-time All-SEC decide, Tarkenton helped the Bulldogs to the league title and an Orange Bowl victory through the 1959 season.

Stanfill was the primary Bulldog to win the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s finest inside lineman. He completed the feat in 1968 and was identified for his fierce mixture of power, velocity, and intelligence within the trenches. Throughout his time at Georgia, Stanfill helped the Bulldogs put up a 25-7-1 document and gained two SEC championships. Legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley informed The Related Press of Stanfill: “Invoice was in all probability the best athlete as a lineman I ever coached.”

Coming into the 2022 season, Scott is one in every of three Georgia gamers sharing the varsity document with 16 profession interceptions. The spectacular half about Scott’s achievement is that he did it in simply two seasons. In 1968, Scott picked off 10 passes (second-most by a Georgia participant for a single season) whereas additionally main the SEC with 440 punt return yards en path to successful the league’s participant of the 12 months award. Scott could be finest identified for successful a pair of Tremendous Bowls with the Miami Dolphins and being named MVP of Tremendous Bowl VII.

Woerner actually left his mark on the Georgia program, whether or not on protection or particular groups. He earned All-American standing as a star on each models. His 13 interceptions are tied for sixth all-time in class historical past, getting into the 2022 marketing campaign. In the meantime, Woerner’s 303 interception return yards rank among the many prime 5 at Georgia. Woerner, who helped Georgia to the 1980 nationwide title, can even go down as one of many college’s elite return males, rating No. 1 in punt return yards for a season (488 in 1980) and second for a profession (1,077).

We’re not right here to speak in regards to the particular person Walker has grow to be off the sphere. It is about what he did on it at Georgia, the place he is thought-about by most to be the best soccer participant in class historical past. Walker joins Frank Sinkwich as the one Bulldogs to win the Heisman Trophy (1982). A 3-time consensus All-American, Walker helped the Bulldogs win that 1980 nationwide championship and stays this system’s chief in a number of classes. Together with speeding yards for a profession (5,259, additionally an SEC document), season (1,891 from 1981) and recreation (283), plus profession speeding touchdowns (49) and common yards per recreation for a profession (159.4) and season (171.9 in 1981).

Although Hoage is tied for fifth in class historical past with 14 profession interceptions, the 12 he recorded in 1982 stay a faculty and SEC document for a season. The three passes he picked off towards Vanderbilt in ’82 are tied for a program document. Hoage was a consensus All-American in 1982 and once more in ’83 when he completed fifth within the Heisman Trophy voting. He is a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame.

Georgia kickers have posted higher profession numbers through the years, however Butler’s legacy inside the program arguably stays the gold normal. A four-time All-SEC choice and two-time All-American (1983, ’84), Butler was the primary kicker to be inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame. Coming into the 2022 season, Butler ranks inside the prime 5 in class historical past for profession made discipline targets (77), field-goal proportion (78.6), and kicking factors (353). His legendary 60-yard discipline aim in a 1984 win over Clemson is a faculty document and tied for the longest in SEC historical past.

The SEC Participant of the 12 months and Doak Walker Award winner in 1992 when he rushed for 1,547 yards and totaled 21 touchdowns. Hearst’s 3,232 profession speeding yards rank fifth in class historical past, and his 33 touchdowns on the bottom are tied for fifth. Hearst’s 246 speeding yards towards Vanderbilt in 1992 is the fourth-highest speeding recreation by any Bulldog. In the meantime, the All-American’s 1,910 all-purpose yards recorded in 1992 ranks second in program historical past. 

Ward’s versatility and great athletic capability earned him a spot on our checklist. Ward earned most of his recognition as a receiver, rating among the many college’s profession leaders in receptions (144) whereas posting greater than almost receiving 2,000 yards. Ward, although, additionally ranks amongst Georgia’s profession leaders with greater than 3,000 all-purpose yards. He even threw a landing throughout his profession. It set him up for an much more profitable NFL profession with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stinchcomb is arguably the best offensive lineman within the historical past of this system. He is a two-time All-American (1997 and ’98) who gained the SEC’s 1998 Draddy Award, given to the league’s most excellent blocker. Stinchcomb is a member of the celebrated College of Georgia Circle of Honor and was inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2018, following a seven-year NFL profession with the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Throughout the early portion of his Georgia profession, Bailey was identified for his defensive excellence. That remained the case the remainder of his run with the Bulldogs, however he additionally grew to become one of the versatile skills within the school recreation by the point he left Athens. In his ultimate school season in 1998, Bailey posted 52 tackles (4 for loss), intercepted three passes for a second straight season, and broke up 10. That was on protection. He additionally caught 47 passes and led the staff with 744 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, and he averaged 21.8 yards per kick return en path to incomes All-American standing and successful the Nagurski Trophy.

Whereas not the marquee identify like Hines Ward, Edwards is worthy of celebrating. Edwards is the varsity’s all-time chief in receptions (204), receiving yards (3,093), and receiving touchdowns (30). His 1,004 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2002 are each single-season data for a Bulldog. (His older brother Robert starred as a operating again for the Bulldogs.)

Pollack joins Herschel Walker as the one three Georgia soccer gamers named a three-time first-team All-American. A two-time SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months (2002, ’04), Pollack is the varsity’s all-time sacks chief with 36. He recorded 14 in 2002 and 12.5 through the 2004 marketing campaign. In 2004, Pollack just about cleaned home when it got here to successful the foremost nationwide defensive honors by taking house the Bednarik, Hendricks, and Lombardi Awards, plus the Lott Trophy. 

Jones’ school profession started at USC, however after a prognosis of spinal stenosis that this system felt would maintain him from taking part in soccer once more, Jones transferred to Georgia. Jones blossomed into one of many nation’s finest defensive gamers with the Bulldogs. In his first season on the sphere at Georgia, Jones recorded 70 tackles, together with 19.5 for a loss and 13.5 sacks, to earn some All-American recognition. In 2012, Jones was named SEC Defensive Participant of 12 months and have become a Jack Lambert Trophy winner after posting 85 tackles, an NCAA-leading 24.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, and 7 compelled fumbles over 12 video games.

Following up the stellar play of Matthew Stafford at Georgia and a 2009 harm, Murray not solely took the sphere for the Bulldogs in 2010, however he was additionally ok to make college and SEC historical past. Although Murray has not been constantly celebrated like Stafford, he actually left his mark with the Bulldogs. Murray’s 13,166 profession passing yards and 121 touchdowns are each college and SEC data. He is additionally Georgia’s chief in single-season passing yards (3,893 from 2012) and touchdowns (36 from 2012), in addition to complete offensive yards (13,554). 

As already said, Georgia has produced some stellar linebackers, together with the varsity’s all-time main tackler and underrated Canadian Soccer Corridor of Famer Ben Zambiasi (467 tackles), however Smith is the primary Bulldog to win the Butkus Award that honors the nation’s finest participant on the place. Smith gained the award and was named SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months in 2017, recording 137 tackles, 14 for loss, and 6.5 sacks. That got here after Smith compiled a team-leading 95 tackles.

On the subject of Georgia defensive tackles, no person’s executed it higher than Davis. Checking in at 6-foot-6 and greater than 330 kilos, Davis joined Invoice Stanfill as the one Bulldogs to win the Outland Trophy (2021). He joined David Pollack as Georgia’s winners of the Bednarik Award (2021) whereas additionally serving to this system win the 2021 nationwide championship. Davis totaled 91 tackles for his collegiate profession, together with 12.5 for loss, seven sacks (5.5 throughout his stellar 2021 senior season), and 26 quarterback hits.

Jordan Davis’ teammate in school, and a minimum of to start their NFL careers with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2021, Dean adopted Roquan Smith as a winner of the Butkus Award, when he totaled 72 tackles, a team-leading 10.5 sacks, and 6 sacks for the national-champion Bulldogs. For his three-year profession at Georgia, Dean totaled 168 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and seven.5 sacks. To not point out two interceptions and a pair of compelled fumbles so as to add to his school legacy.