5 Best Auburn NFL Players
Auburn has produced three Heisman winners and a long list of pros. These five Tigers are ranked on what they did on the Plains, where one magical season can last forever.
1. Bo Jackson
Running Back · 1982 to 1985
Jackson won the 1985 Heisman with 1,786 yards and averaged over six yards a carry for his career. He also ran track and played baseball at a level nobody else could touch. Watching him turn the corner is still the best argument that raw athleticism can beat scheme.
2. Cam Newton
Quarterback · 2010
One season was all it took. Newton threw for 2,854 yards, ran for 1,473, accounted for 51 touchdowns, won the Heisman, and delivered a national title. At 250 pounds he was faster than most safeties and stronger than most linebackers.
3. Tracy Rocker
Defensive Tackle · 1985 to 1988
Rocker won both the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award in 1988, a rare double for an interior lineman. He finished with 354 tackles and 48 tackles for loss. Offenses built entire game plans around keeping him off the ball carrier.
4. Pat Sullivan
Quarterback · 1969 to 1971
Sullivan won the 1971 Heisman and accounted for 71 touchdowns in three seasons at a time when passing was still a side dish. He and receiver Terry Beasley formed the most feared duo in the league. His numbers hold up shockingly well.
5. Carnell Williams
Running Back · 2001 to 2004
Cadillac ran for 3,831 yards and 45 touchdowns and shared a backfield with another future pro in Ronnie Brown. The 2004 team went undefeated behind him. He had smooth acceleration and never seemed to lose his balance.
Also Deserving
Ronnie Brown, Karlos Dansby, Nick Fairley, and Takeo Spikes all had big college runs. Fairley's 2010 season was as disruptive as anything on this page. The five above won more hardware or carried heavier loads.
One Season Can Be Enough
Auburn is proof that a single year can define a legacy. Newton played one season and is still the first name many fans say. That is part of what makes ranking college careers so different from ranking pro careers.
Test Yourself on Auburn Players
Reading about them is one thing. Naming them on sight is another. CollegeGuessr shows you an NFL player and asks which college he came from. Build a streak, post your score on the Big Board, and see how your football knowledge holds up.