re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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1. G.O.A.T. BY POSITION

Tom Brady is the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.). He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever seen and I’ve been watching football since I was 6-years-old. That means, in my mind, Michigan has bragging rights at that position.

Here’s what programs can brag on having the G.O.A.T. at each position when it comes to NFL greatness since 1976.

Quarterback: Tom Brady, Michigan – Now with five Super Bowl wins, Brady gets the nod over Joe Montana (Notre Dame), Dan Marino (Pitt), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), John Elway (Stanford) and others.

Running Back: Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State – This is a close one, at least for me, with Eric Dickerson (SMU), Walter Payton (Jackson State) and Emmitt Smith (Florida) also in the conversation. Marshall Faulk (San Diego State) also gets a shout-out as does Earl Campbell (Texas) but Sanders was the best and most electric of them all.

Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State – Where are the Delta Devils fans out there? This one isn’t close at all with Randy Moss (Marshall) being the only one comparable that I’ve seen. Time will tell if Julio Jones (Alabama) can approach these two.

Tight End: Tony Gonzalez, Cal – The former college football and basketball star is the best I’ve ever seen. Rob Gronkowski (Arizona) is up there as well, and he is still working on his numbers and impact. Kellen Winslow (Missouri) was also great.

Offensive Line: John Hannah, Alabama – The former Roll Tide and New England Patriots star is followed closely by Anthony Munoz (USC), Bruce Matthews (USC) and Orlando Pace (Ohio State).

Defensive End: Reggie White, Tennessee – “The Minister of Defense” edges out Bruce Smith (Virginia Tech) for No. 1 here in my book, so brag on Vols fans.

Defensive Tackle: Joe Green, North Texas – “Mean Joe” was incredible, followed closely by Randy White (Maryland). Many of the greats at the position were before my time but I remember being awed by these two.

Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina – Is there any question here? Taylor changed the way the position was played and is well ahead of Ray Lewis (Miami), Jack Lambert (Kent State) and Mike Singletary (Baylor).

Cornerback: Deion Sanders, Florida State – Sanders, although a reluctant tackler, gets the nod over Rod Woodson (Purdue) and Charles Woodson (Michigan) at least for me.

Safety: Ronnie Lott, USC – The Trojans get on the board here with the amazing Lott who had his broken pinkie finger amputated in 1986 rather than miss time with reconstructive surgery. He gets my nod over Ed Reed (Miami) and Brian Dawkins (Clemson). And no, I don’t have Troy Polamalu in the same category as Lott, Reed and Dawkins.

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