The Best NFL Player To Come From Every SEC School

Alabama (SEC) — Derrick Thomas (1985-1988) - The Crimson Tide has produced a staggering amount of football talent, going back to NFL legends like Bart Starr and Ozzie Newsome, but defensive end Derrick Thomas was arguably the most feared player to ever come from the program. While at Alabama, Thomas was a unanimous All-American and set what would have been the NCAA’s single-season record for sacks, if only it had been an official statistic when he played.

Arkansas (SEC) — Lance Alworth (1959-1961)- While former Razorbacks Dan Hampton and Darren McFadden went on to have great football careers, Lance Alworth is the only former Arkansas player to be inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame so far.

Auburn (SEC) — Bo Jackson (1982-1985) - Picking between Bo Jackson and Cam Newton was one of the toughest calls on this list, but Jackson gets the nod because of his mythical accomplishments and a stellar, four-year career at Auburn.


Florida (SEC) — Emmitt Smith (1987-1989) - Apologies to Gators like Maurkice Pouncey and Tim Tebow, but when your school produced arguably the greatest rusher in football history, you’re taking the back seat. Smith was outstanding from his freshman season on, being named to the first-team All-SEC all three seasons of his career.

Georgia (SEC) — Champ Bailey (1996-1998) - Herschel Walker and Fran Tarkenton are hard to overlook, Champ Bailey came to truly define his position. His work at cornerback earned him consensus All-American status.

Kentucky (SEC) — Dermontti Dawson (1984-1987) - You probably think of Kentucky as a basketball school but it has produced football icons like George Blanda, Randall Cobb and Art Still over the years. But we’re giving the Wildcats’ GOAT honor to Dermontti Dawson, who anchored the team at center in the mid-’80s.

Louisiana State (SEC) — Y.A. Tittle (1944-1947)-Like some of the other SEC schools, it was tough to pick just one player from LSU, but in a close toss-up between Patrick Peterson and Y.A. Tittle, the latter got the nod. Tittle had a solid career at quarterback for the Tigers in the mid-1940s but he became a legend when he got to the pros.

Mississippi (SEC) — Eli Manning (2000-2003)- Eli Manning is the only player on this list to edge out his own father to become his school’s best player ever

Mississippi State (SEC) — Fletcher Cox (2009-2011)-While Eric Moulds had a great career and Dak Prescott continues to establish his own legacy, Fletcher Cox gets our nod as Mississippi State’s best football player.

Missouri (SEC) — Roger Wehrli (1966-1968)- Picking the best Mizzou Tiger ever led to a toss-up between Roger Wehrli and Kellen Winslow. We gave Wehrli the nod because, in the end, he had more All-Pro and Pro-Bowl selections.

South Carolina (SEC) — Sterling Sharpe (1983-1987)-Sterling Sharpe’s career at South Carolina was so strong it landed him in the College Football Hall of Fame and resulted in his jersey number being retired by the Gamecocks football program

Tennessee (SEC) — Reggie White (1980-1983)-Plenty of people will probably be upset not to see Peyton Manning representing the Tennessee Volunteers, but Reggie White may be the most unstoppable defensive lineman to ever play the game so we’ve got to give him the crown. “The Minister of Defense” was an absolute monster in college, being named SEC Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American in 1983, when he racked up 15 sacks, which is still a single-season record at Tennessee.

Texas A&M (SEC) — Von Miller (2007-2010)- While Yale Lary is currently the only Texas A&M Aggie to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Von Miller gets our pick as the best player ever from the school because he’ll likely join him in Canton in the near future

Vanderbilt (SEC) — Will Wolford (1982-1985) - Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much of an NFL legacy when it comes to Vanderbilt, but offensive lineman Will Wolford gets our pick as the program’s best


LINK