Greatest Gator Ever

[socraticsilence]

The recruiting thread got me to thinking-- who was the greatest Gator football player of all-time?

[Judging only by their college careers here (so no citing Steve's building of the program or Emmitt's status as the all-time yardage king)].

I figure this should be an interesting thread and more productive than harping of Louisville, projecting Driskel or debating Urban vs. SOS for the umpteenth time. I'm guessing this will largely breakdown by the age of the poster-- I for instance hear great things about Steve and Wilbur Marshall but I'm not old enough to have seen them play so obviously have a bit of bias towards guys like Danny and Tim.

Finally, if you want to use hypotheticals feel free- personally I think Chris is in this discussion if he has Spurrier as his coach as he seems to have been the perfect Fun and Gun QB and he-- despite some occasional struggles under pressure (which all QBs even Tim and Danny had at times)-- was far, far more "clutch" than he is often credited with being.

[Tito22]

Tough call but have to say Tebow. Best college QB all time

[hgators]

Ray Graves...most important Gator ever. Brought SOS, who got us Danny, who inspired Tim.

[jcp]

I have to go with Timmy.

[Wormwood56]

Tebow was the great player the Gators ever had. There have been better quarterbacks, IMO, but no one was a greater offensive force.

The Greatetst Gator Of Them All, however, is still Steve Spurrier. He epitomizes the essence of Florida football.

Finally, if you want to use hypotheticals feel free- personally I think Chris is in this discussion if he has Spurrier as his coach as he seems to have been the perfect Fun and Gun QB and he-- despite some occasional struggles under pressure (which all QBs even Tim and Danny had at times)-- was far, far more "clutch" than he is often credited with being.

I agree, but timing is everything. Had Rex Grossman been with Spurrier throughout his senior season, who knows what he could have accomplished? Certainly his 2001 season was legendary, and fully deserving of the Heisman that year. Had Tebow been with Spurrier, OTOH, he probably never would have been the force he was. Or consider Danny without SOS? Certainly, he would have been a solid QB, but would he have been as great as he was? Like Chris Leak throughout his junior and senior season, a round peg in a square hole...

[notexgator]

I agree with Wormwood 100%.

[The_Graygator]

Me, of course. Duh.

[AFCyberGator]

Greatest Gator as a football player = Timothy Richard Tebow. Greatest Gator as a quarterback in the sense of a pure passer = Daniel Carl Wuerffel. Greatest Gator without clarification is Steven Orr Spurrier. Most under-appreciated Gator is Ray Graves.

[dawny]

Wilber Marshall was a man playing with boys.

[Wormwood56]

Wilber Marshall was a man playing with boys.

For those of us who remember him at Florida, it's damned hard to argue. I'll never forget his domination of USC - wreaking utter havoc in the backfield. Clowney never had such a day. And when one considers that our offense in the late 1980s was "Emmitt left, Emmitt center, Emmitt right," it's also pretty hard to omit him as well.

[The_Graygator]

I was at that UF - USC game back in '82.

Marshall should have just set himself up a lawn chair in the USC backfield as fast as he was getting back there all day. lol

[tilly]

Stephen Orr Spurrier

-Won the Heisman.
-Coached The Heisman
-Coached/Won The SEC multiple times
-Coached/Won the National Championship.
-Hung half-a-hundred between the hedges.
-Nicknamed the stadium

[tilly]

Timmy gets the Silver, and Danny the bronze for me

Edit: If were talking all sports, Billy moves in right behind Steve.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Spurrier.

Greatest player was Tebow, with Danny a close second. Spurrier has meant the most to Florida's (football) program, and therefore is the greatest Gator.

[jsc28]

Just player? I'll take 7 and Percy.

[whitelakegator]

1. Danny W -1 Heisman - 3 SEC's - 1 MNC (Terry Dean was MVP of the 93 SEC title game vs Bama)
2. Tim Tebow - 1 Heisman - 1 SEC (Leak was QB for his frosh year) - 1 MNC

When you look at it in black and white, I gotta go with Danny over Tebow. Those two extra SEC titles are a huge deal.

[mfpardnor2]

If you never saw Wes Chandler play you missed it.

[mfpardnor2]

1. Danny W -1 Heisman - 3 SEC's - 1 MNC (Terry Dean was MVP of the 93 SEC title game vs Bama)
2. Tim Tebow - 1 Heisman - 1 SEC (Leak was QB for his frosh year) - 1 MNC

When you look at it in black and white, I gotta go with Danny over Tebow. Those two extra SEC titles are a huge deal.

Without Tim we might not win in '06

[whitelakegator]

Without Tim we might not win in '06

Sorry. Leak was the QB and deserves full credit for that year. He put on a clinic in the MNC game. Yes, Tebow had a play here and there...so did a lot of players. Jarvis Moss anyone?

Danny has the bigger resume.

[Juggernautz]

Tie: SOS, E Smith, Tebow & Muschamp.

[og8trz]

SOS won 4 straight SEC's, having to win a title game each time. Bryant never had that mountain to climb and even Saban has yet to accomplish it

[JohnC1908]

Spurrier.

[petro]

Tough call but have to say Tebow. Best college QB all time

Greatest College FB player of all time IMO. The leadership qualities and how he represented the program and UF on top of the individual and team accomplishments seals it for me. The other two guys with statues are tough to argue against also, all things considered. Noone else comes close to the entire body of work from these three.

[whitelakegator]

Greatest College FB player of all time IMO. The leadership qualities and how he represented the program and UF on top of the individual and team accomplishments seals it for me. The other two guys with statues are tough to argue against also, all things considered. Noone else comes close to the entire body of work from these three.

Entire body of work? Danny has two extra SEC titles. I guess I'm lost...what part of the "body of work" did Tebow do better than Danny? They each had a magical season.

Danny had 114 TDs and over 10000 yards passing.

[JohnC1908]

Entire body of work? Danny has two extra SEC titles. I guess I'm lost...what part of the "body of work" did Tebow do better than Danny? They each had a magical season.

Danny had 114 TDs and over 10000 yards passing.

You aren't lost, somebody just happens to have a different opinion.

[nflgator]

I saw Rick Caserias (can't spell), Wes Chandler, Alveraz, Emmitt, SOS, Anderson & the other RB he played with, Chris, TT, Danny .. we should honor these and others.
There are many guys on def that we should honor.

[geauxgator1]

Wilber Marshall was a man playing with boys.

You may want to rephrase that statement. sounds like he should have been arrested.

Anyway..Tim Tebow without much doubt was the greatest Gator ever.

[petro]

Entire body of work? Danny has two extra SEC titles. I guess I'm lost...what part of the "body of work" did Tebow do better than Danny? They each had a magical season.

Danny had 114 TDs and over 10000 yards passing.

Danny could have run for 10000 yards too, if it weren't for that darn Nick Saban guy showing up. Oh wait. /s

DW and TT never kicked a FG either. Splitting hairs between the three statue guys.

[dawny]

Tebow would not run on Wilber Marshall, anyone agree.

[geauxgator1]

Tebow would not run on Wilber Marshall, anyone agree.

It would have been a heckuva collision.

[killercroc_UF]

SOS on so many levels.

[petro]

Tebow would not run on Wilber Marshall, anyone agree.

Would be a hell of a collision. The zone read/bubble options might be pretty damn effective against that style of play though. The ROH guys deserve their kudos too. Noone is dissing any of the greats here. I don't think.

[petro]

Entire body of work?

BTW - do you work for NBC? Nice Try. I wrote "Entire Body of Work <b>FROM THESE THREE</b>" end quote. Reading comprehension issues or intentional misrepresentation and straw man approach? hmmmmm?

[whitelakegator]

You aren't lost, somebody just happens to have a different opinion.

I am totally okay with that. I just thought it was an odd observation. Especially by looking at body of work. That's how I put Danny in front of Tebow. No need to get crazy. We're lucky to be able to even have this conversation.

[phatGator]

Greatest Gators? How about the guys that paid their own way through school, yet still showed up at practice everyday, worked their tails off, and never made a dime off football after leaving UF? All because they loved the orange and blue.

[whitelakegator]

I couldn't remember if it was Dean or Danny in the Sugar then it all came back at once...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prbk6t74rSo

Gotta love those old SOS teams.

[secgator]

Best QB in the 'typical' sense--Danny. Best 'player'...which encompasses a total package--Tim. Best overall "Gator"---IMHO, it isn't even open for debate. ALL things considered--Spurrier. To me, it ain't even close when you say Greatest Gator Ever.

"Greatest Gator" should reflect more than just college playing days. The term Gator should cover the whole ball of wax and in that regard---Spurrier. And I honestly feel when his days are done at USCe, he will return home and show his true colors as most of us feel he is--Gator through and through to the core.

[WarDamnGator]

As far as their college player career as a Gator, it's hard to pick between Danny and Tim.

Tebow may very well be the best college football player of all time.

Danny has more on-the-field achievements as a Gators.

I'll call it a tie.

[1gatorbear]

My all time favorite is Percy.

[Gatorrick22]

Tebow.

[geauxgator1]

SOS was in the running for top Gator since he played and coached at the highest levels possible at UF. I still love the guy, but coaching another college team in the SEC no less, dropped him a notch below Tebow and DW.

[cmarcum]

Without Percy we don't win either championship in 06 or 08...huge game bailed us out against fsu and arky in 06'...and he was the entire offense against the sooners in 08'...percy harvin is the most gifted talent to ever play at UF

[geauxgator1]

Without Percy we don't win either championship in 06 or 08...huge game bailed us out against fsu and arky in 06'...and he was the entire offense against the sooners in 08'...percy harvin is the most gifted talent to ever play at UF

Maybe as far as pure athletic ability, but not "Greatest' by a long shot. His attitude alone disqualifies him from that title.

[gatorr4life]

Tebow, then spurrier and Danny.

[No1GatorFreak]

#1 Gator overall - Spurrier (not even close)

#1 Gator player - Tebow

Easy. The rest in no particular order... Wes, Percy, Marshall, Danny (Top5) and Rex and Leak in particular definitely belong somewhere in ANYBODY Top 15

[socraticsilence]

Without Percy we don't win either championship in 06 or 08...huge game bailed us out against fsu and arky in 06'...and he was the entire offense against the sooners in 08'...percy harvin is the most gifted talent to ever play at UF

Percy had a great game no doubt, but honestly that game was kind of a microcosm of Percy's career at UF: flashes of brilliant athleticism but also being too fragile to go 100% of the time, correct me if I'm wrong but Percy didn't even play of much of the 4th in Miami, right? It's the same reason I always chuckled at people who said Harvin could have been a 2000 yard back if we'd just given him the rock more-- Percy broke down for 2 or 3 games a year at the pace Meyer used him to argue he could have taken even more punishment is nuts.

[wygator]

Entire body of work? Danny has two extra SEC titles. I guess I'm lost...what part of the "body of work" did Tebow do better than Danny? They each had a magical season.

Danny had 114 TDs and over 10000 yards passing.

If you're basing it on stats, it goes to Tebow.

Danny - 122 TD's

Tebow - 145 TD's

Danny - Total yards - 10,500

Tebow - Total yards - 12,233

Danny - Rushing TD's - 2

Tebow - Rushing TD's - 57

At the end of his college career, Tebow held 5 NCAA, 14 Southeastern Conference, and 28 University of Florida statistical records. He was the SEC's all-time leader in career passing efficiency (170.8), completion percentage (67.1%), passing touchdown to interception ratio (5.5 to 1), rushing yards by a quarterback (2947), rushing touchdowns (any position) (57), and total touchdowns responsible for (145). Among many mentions in the NCAA Division-I record book, Tebow is ranked second in career passing efficiency, third in career yards per attempt (9.33), 8th in career rushing touchdowns, and also owns the record for most consecutive games in which he both threw at least one touchdown pass and scored at least one rushing touchdown (14)

[No1GatorFreak]

I would also like to add Ike Hilliard and Reggie Nelson to the Top 15. Reggie was the greatest safety IMO to ever play for Florida. That guy played the back end all by himself in 06. Joiner the SS was just the 4th linebacker on the field. Man was he impressive.

[gatorbred]

Tebow, Danny, Emmit, Wilber, Spurrier in that order based on their playing ability and dominance. SOS never won anything as a player other than the Heitzman thanks to a 40 yard field goal. Greatest coach is SOS.

Tebow was the most dominant and therefore greatest player in UF history. If your life depended on one UF game and you had first pick of any UF player in history, who would you pick? I'll take Tebow!!

[TitletownGator]

Tebow, Danny, Emmit, Wilber, Spurrier in that order based on their playing ability and dominance. SOS never won anything as a player other than the Heitzman thanks to a 40 yard field goal. Greatest coach is SOS.

Tebow was the most dominant and therefore greatest player in UF history. If your life depended on one UF game and you had first pick of any UF player in history, who would you pick? I'll take Tebow!!

Interesting way of looking at it. If you had time for one final play, a fourth and one for a TD and a national championship who would you want as your QB? How could you pick anyone other than Tebow?

Looking back at the original question, who is the greatest Gator football player of all time, I'll have to take Tebow. Danny is my sentimental favorite since I was an undergrad at UF during his playing days - but I have to give Tebow the edge. Tim Tebow had an "it" factor that is very very hard to explain. I have watched a lot of football and seen a lot of great players - but no one who had the charisma of Tim Tebow. I think Herschel came closest of all the players I have seen over the past 35 years.

If we change the question from greatest Gator football player to simply "Greatest Gator" then in my opinion there is only one choice- Steven Orr Spurrier.

All of the players mentioned by all of the posters though are truly Gator greats.

[tallygator]

oh thats an easy one. me :-)

[ofmgator]

Take any of the great Gators mentioned here out of the equation and success would have been limited. Each guy in their time and with their team mates were great but it's not fair to compare them because they were all good at what they did. Being a Gator is in itself great and real Gator fans appreciated every one of them and I was a student from 1962 -1965 and have watched the Gators since 1961.

[oneatatime]

Here's a vote for Lomas Brown

[JohnC1908]

Also let me throw Billy Donovan's name out there.

[DuPontGator]

Urban Meyer

[tilly]

Also let me throw Billy Donovan's name out there.

He is my opinion the greatest Head coach in Gator history...in any sport.

I think most of us were thinking football, but if were crossing over...than Billy is #2 to SOS to me.

[dawny]

Really the best Gators ever were any players who played with Heart and Pride to be wearing a Gator uniform,thank you for all the good times and bad times it is College Football.

[No1GatorFreak]

Amen to that above me. AMEN!

[GatormanSteve]

Percy Harvin IMO is the greatest Gator player I've ever seen. From his freshman year until he left he was in a different class than anyone else on the field. Tebow and Wuerffel are my 2nd and 3rd picks.

[ThePlayer]

If you never saw Wes Chandler play you missed it.

Wes Chandler = Most "naturally" talented Gator.

[nawlinsgator]

I'm just curious how many on here has seen Danny Wuerffel play. We have to keep in mind that 1996 was 17 years ago.

[JohnC1908]

I'm just curious how many on here has seen Danny Wuerffel play. We have to keep in mind that 1996 was 17 years ago.

Guy dominated throughout my high school years. God Bless him, from Lexington all the way to the MNC against FSU.

[PSGator66]

Jack Youngblood.

[lurkingator1]

The combination of Tebow and Harvin was unstoppable ! Tebow was the best player and without a doubt SOS has had the greatest impact on our program, his list of accomplishments are unmatched. I will always have love for the HBC

[Distant Gator]

I'm just curious how many on here has seen Danny Wuerffel play. We have to keep in mind that 1996 was 17 years ago.

Danny remains one of just a few to win 4 SEC titles.
And he wasn't just on the team- he made heavy contributions to each of the 4 titles.

How many other Gator football players can say that- even in Danny's class.

Then add in his Heisman, the MNC, and his incredible performance in that Sugar Bowl. I'm pretty sure we scored the most points EVER against a #1 ranked team.

And he was such a credit to UF off the field- everyone loved Danny. What an incredible leader. Quite a contrast to another Gator player mentioned on this thread.

From a lifetime acheivement perspective- Spurrier is head-and-shoulders above everyone else.

But on the field only- Danny gets my vote.

[socraticsilence]

He is my opinion the greatest Head coach in Gator history...in any sport.

I think most of us were thinking football, but if were crossing over...than Billy is #2 to SOS to me.

Agreed, honestly what Spurrier did with football is amazing but its not like a big SEC state school becoming a football power is unprecedented-- and the state of Florida as a whole was rising on the gridiron due to the population shift (its not a coinicidence that Florida, Florida State and Miami all exploded on to the national scene within a decade of each other- barring probation it probably happens even sooner).

But basketball, especially on a consistent basis at a school with virtually no history (yes we had the one Kruger run but c'mon) that takes a personality especially at a university where its almost always going to be the second sport at best-- I can't really think of a parallel at least one where it happened for this long other than maybe Syracuse, its just so much harder at a school where there's already a dominant sport- usually if a guy makes one of the minor sports rise up he leaves for a school where said sport is #1.

[theologator]

I've been a fan since childhood, graduated from UF in 1983 and have had season tickets since 1990. I'm a huge fan of Wilber, Scot Brantley, remember Youngblood as a pro though not much as a Gator. Love Danny, Emmitt, and more.

Tim Tebow is the greatest college football player of all time, any position and any era.

Nod to SOS for the player/coach quiniela.

Emmitt is the greatest pro to come out of UF.

[GATOR_4Life]

Most Important: Steve Spurrier <-Greatest
Most Accomplished while at UF: Tim Tebow
Best Overall Career (including NFL): Emmitt Smith
Most Talented: Percy Harvin

[phatGator]

I'm just curious how many on here has seen Danny Wuerffel play. We have to keep in mind that 1996 was 17 years ago.

On tv numerous times. In person: Sep 21, 1996. Knoxville. With 107607 other people, most of them dumbfounded Vol fans.

[ThePlayer]

Jack Youngblood.

Total gladiator...and one of the greatest Gators EVER!!

[99gator]

in terms of their on field play in college only.....

percy harvin is the best gator football player i have ever seen. every other player i could name had a day on the field that he would like to forget. sure, harvin was on the field for games that we lost, but i don't remember harvin ever having a bad game. ever.

all other gators that i can think of no matter how outstanding had a bad day at the office at some point in their career.

not percy

[igabradley]

my family has been going to games since the early 60's. i've been blessed to watch all the greats. after reading a mention of Wes Chandler and Youngblood i began thinking about some others no one would ever mention as the greatest but, Nat Moore, John Reaves, Carlos Avalrez, Scott Brantley, Steve Tannen, Neil Anderson,Emmit Smith, David Little, so many others i can't think of right now. wow thanks for the memories.

[regator]

Interesting way of looking at it. If you had time for one final play, a fourth and one for a TD and a national championship who would you want as your QB? How could you pick anyone other than Tebow?

Looking back at the original question, who is the greatest Gator football player of all time, I'll have to take Tebow. Danny is my sentimental favorite since I was an undergrad at UF during his playing days - but I have to give Tebow the edge. Tim Tebow had an "it" factor that is very very hard to explain. I have watched a lot of football and seen a lot of great players - but no one who had the charisma of Tim Tebow. I think Herschel came closest of all the players I have seen over the past 35 years.

If we change the question from greatest Gator football player to simply "Greatest Gator" then in my opinion there is only one choice- Steven Orr Spurrier.

All of the players mentioned by all of the posters though are truly Gator greats.


and if it was fourth and over 20 i would take Danny.
Guy could throw the fade...

[gatorjlm]

SOS - (player and coach)
Tebow
Emmitt
Marshall
Percy

[AFCyberGator]

I'm just curious how many on here has seen Danny Wuerffel play. We have to keep in mind that 1996 was 17 years ago.

He destroyed my high school team. I remember the score being something like 45-3. He was amazing. He did not look special at first, but after a few of those "I cannot believe you completed that pass" moments you realized that he was special.

[whitelakegator]

and if it was fourth and over 20 i would take Danny.
Guy could throw the fade...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1TFthJbdYE

Fast forward to about 5:30...goose bumps. I can remember people crying where we watched it at...

[whitelakegator]

Oh my...

[rounds]

Most Exciting
Percy; not even close

[NoahBeanBizzel]

SOS was in the running for top Gator since he played and coached at the highest levels possible at UF. I still love the guy, but coaching another college team in the SEC no less, dropped him a notch below Tebow and DW.

You actually make a great point. I somehow forgot that he coaches at Carolina. How can the greatest Gator of all time be drawing up plays for another team we happen to play every year? And it's not like he's at LSU; he's at a school that threatens our ability to win our division every fall.

What about Billy Donovan? Does "the Greatest Gator of all time" apply only to football? I'm not trying to be pompous, but it's a legitimate question.

[rounds]

Swamp gas is football only.

[bluecreekgator]

Danny Wuerffel.

[secgator]

Watching that Kentucky video of Danny's coming out party brought back some awesome memories of the DW era. While Tebow may have had the power to run over people--and be able to zing some passes right where they needed to be (contrary to NFL analysts).....something about the "Danny Passing Method" was pure beauty. He had that somewhat 'forced' delivery which at times seemed awkward and gawky, the kid could put the ball where it needed to be EVERY TIME with the exact amount of touch needed, and no one---absolutely NO ONE who has ever played college football could do it as well as he did. DW positively OWNED the corner fade route in a way no other person ever has, or likely ever will.

Thanks for posting that video. Made me recall just how blessed we were to have Danny as one of ours. Kid was special in so many ways.

[Swampmaster]

1 tebow (2 titles)
2 weurffel (1 title)
3 spurrier (0 titles)

[whitelakegator]

1 tebow (2 titles)
2 weurffel (1 title)
3 spurrier (0 titles)

I swear there was this Leak kid throwing at some point. Weird.

[Swampmaster]

I swear there was this Leak kid throwing at some point. Weird.

without tebow, uf doesn't win the 2006 title---he made a bunch of big plays in big games.

[whitelakegator]

1 tebow (2 titles)
2 weurffel (1 title)
3 spurrier (0 titles)


Not letting this go...Tebow played in...drum roll please...89 plays his freshman year.

OUT OF 875!!!!! That's barely 10%. And you are crediting him with that MNC.

No way pal. Chris Leak won that title as QB. I hope other Gators back me up on this.

[Swampmaster]

No way pal. Chris Leak won that title as QB. .

sure, it was chris leak's team---but tebow was on the title team and made big plays to win it--so he gets some credit for it. Weurffel played for the title twice, won once and got demolished in the other game. Spurrier never came close to winning a national title and didn't play well in big SEC games with the title on the line.

[secgator]

Leak made more big plays throughout the course of the 06 season than Tebow did and it wasn't even in the same universe. While Tebow deserves credit for being ON the team...and for making 'some' big plays which helped win the title, so did a bunch of other players--OL, DL, DB's, etc. yet Tim is always mentioned as being on 2 NC teams. True enough he was, but the 06 team was Chris Leak's team...and without debate or argument, it was LEAK who won the NC moreso than Tim.

This is not taking anything away from Tebow whatsoever, but it amazes me when the topic of top QB's or top players or whatever, Chris Leak's name seems to always be overshadowed by the others, when IN FACT--the NC 06 team belonged to Leak and not to Tebow.

Hence, for those keeping accurate score:

Tebow---1 NC
Danny---1 NC
Leak----1 NC
SOS----0 NC (as player)

[whitelakegator]

Jarvis Moss probably had the biggest contribution. Going back through some of the games maybe someone can help me out with all these Tebow saved the season plays. It looks like he barely played in the SEC title game that year and 89 total snaps in 14 games(for the non math majors it equates to roughly 6 snaps a game). Come on. I think Tebowmania went back in time to take credit for stuff he didn't do.

I have a feeling that our perception is greater than the reality in this instance.

[steve6137]

Jack Youngblood.

Agreed!!
The toughest player I've ever seen- college or pro.
I'm more proud of this guy being a Gator than anyone else. Everytime I go to a game, I have to look up to see his name in the Ring Of Honor.

[ACmann]

Monty Grow,what a hit in the sugar bowl vs. WVU.

[tilly]

all other gators that i can think of no matter how outstanding had a bad day at the office at some point in their career....not percy

Percy's problem is and always has been, that he doesn't always make it to the office at all. If he was not injury and migraine prone, we would be talking about an all time great at both levels.

[GATORAZ]

Not letting this go...Tebow played in...drum roll please...89 plays his freshman year.

OUT OF 875!!!!! That's barely 10%. And you are crediting him with that MNC.

No way pal. Chris Leak won that title as QB. I hope other Gators back me up on this.


SMH A lot of players made a much bigger impact on the 06 title team than Tebow. It is unreal how much credit Tebow gets for that season. Leak lead that team. Tebow was a great Gator and was a a part of some great teams but lets keep it in perspective

people that Florida doesn't win the national title with that made a bigger impact than Tebow in 2006
Chris Leak
Reggie Nelson
Ryan Smith
Earl Everett
Brandon Siler
Percy Harvin
Brandon James
Derrick Harvey
Dallas Baker
Ray McDonald

I could probably keep going but you get the point

[phatGator]

Not letting this go...Tebow played in...drum roll please...89 plays his freshman year.

OUT OF 875!!!!! That's barely 10%. And you are crediting him with that MNC.

No way pal. Chris Leak won that title as QB. I hope other Gators back me up on this.

Backed. Tim went on to become the greatest college football player ever, IMO, but he was not that in 2006. He made some crucial plays but so did others.

[tilly]

I hope other Gators back me up on this.
Absolutely.

Also Danny doesn't win one if SOS doesn't draw up some ball plays.

I see it like this:

SOS 1
Danny 1
Chris 1
Tim 1 (strong contribution in another)

[tallygator]

Dr. Cade inventor of Gator aid

[ArtDeco]

Not letting this go...Tebow played in...drum roll please...89 plays his freshman year.

OUT OF 875!!!!! That's barely 10%. And you are crediting him with that MNC.

No way pal. Chris Leak won that title as QB. I hope other Gators back me up on this.

No offense, but IMO, Chris Leak is overrated. And the NFL and CFL agree with me. Funny you credit him with all our success that year, I credit him with costing us the Auburn game.
Tebow didn't win the 2006 NC, but without him, we finish 10-2, out of the title picture.

[GATORAZ]

No offense, but IMO, Chris Leak is overrated. And the NFL and CFL agree with me. Funny you credit him with all our success that year, I credit him with costing us the Auburn game.
Tebow didn't win the 2006 NC, but without him, we finish 10-2, out of the title picture.

How can you prove that? What if Leak just threw for a first down?

[TitletownGator]

and if it was fourth and over 20 i would take Danny.
Guy could throw the fade...

Absolutely.

Something people tend to forget or overlook about Danny - he was tough as nails. In my mind's eye I can picture that game with FSU knocking him down time after time after time - playing "through the whistle". Danny would just get back up and keep coming at 'em.

[raquetclub]

Stephen Orr Spurrier

-Won the Heisman.
-Coached The Heisman
-Coached/Won The SEC multiple times
-Coached/Won the National Championship.
-Hung half-a-hundred between the hedges.
-Nicknamed the stadium

"Free Shoes U" is ring of honor worthy by itself.

[theologator]

Leak made more big plays throughout the course of the 06 season than Tebow did and it wasn't even in the same universe. While Tebow deserves credit for being ON the team...and for making 'some' big plays which helped win the title, so did a bunch of other players--OL, DL, DB's, etc. yet Tim is always mentioned as being on 2 NC teams. True enough he was, but the 06 team was Chris Leak's team...and without debate or argument, it was LEAK who won the NC moreso than Tim.

This is not taking anything away from Tebow whatsoever, but it amazes me when the topic of top QB's or top players or whatever, Chris Leak's name seems to always be overshadowed by the others, when IN FACT--the NC 06 team belonged to Leak and not to Tebow.

Hence, for those keeping accurate score:

Tebow---1 NC
Danny---1 NC
Leak----1 NC
SOS----0 NC (as player)

I'm a Leak fan & agree he certainly counts as a championship QB. There are four on that top tier. As a player, SOS belongs due to his Heisman.

But please list Tebow with 2 rings. His 89 plays were not mop-up duty or inconsequential by any means. He accounted for all the TD's vs. LSU, didn't he? How many times did he extend drives that season? He was a vital piece of that team.

Among the many reasons I admire Leak is his leadership that year and the way he handled Tebow's role and the eruption of Tebowmania. Mark Sanchez should have given him a call.

[gatorbred]

Good points by many and all great Gators for sure! Tebow converted a critical 4th and almost two on the winning drive up at Knoxville as probably his biggest play that year.

i loved Danny and Emmit and many others also, but since I've been watching Gator football in 1969, Tebow gets my vote as greatest Gator football player of all time!

[Distant Gator]

Tebow did more than Harvin did in 2006. While Percy showed out in the SECCG he was also hurt for some of the season. How can Percy be the "greatest Gator" when he only played 1 full season, and missed crucial games in 2 others? And then didn't even play his senior year? He's not even in my top 10 but I don't use NFL accomplishments as my criteria for "Greatest Gator."

Tebow had crucial plays vs UT, LSU, South Carolina and Ohio State, among others.

I re-watched the 2006 season and while both Percy and TT contributed, there were 10-15 guys who contributed more. The defense was the key to that team- the offense was barely average.

[regator]

1 tebow (2 titles)
2 weurffel (1 title)
3 spurrier (0 titles)


If you think national titles is the only thing that determines who is best then you are allowing luck to play a big part in deciding the best

[supagator]

Me! And I'm not kidding. I spent 5 awesome years at Florida, and I even graduated!

[nawlinsgator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1TFthJbdYE

Fast forward to about 5:30...goose bumps. I can remember people crying where we watched it at...

Watched that game in the Reitz Union. I remember the wench working in the front giving us a hard time for requesting them to put the game on the big screen.
The place erupted on the Doering touchdown.

[Swampslider]

How is it that no one has even mentioned Huntley Johnson as one of the all time great Gators.

[Tebowism0823]

Tim for many reasons. He was the total package on and off the field. He was the epitome of what leadership, sportsmanship, and teammate stood for; not to mention he was a hell of a player. I believe some here are picking SOS because of their age and that's fine, but IMO its not even close.

Tebow it is!

[RepubliGator84]

Relating back to the OP i like Chris would have loved the Fun n Gun.

I've always wondered how Brantley would have done under SOS tutelage. If the Ol Ball Coach was here I have no doubt JB IV would've been here and would've been a better QB for it

[nawlinsgator]

Tim for many reasons. He was the total package on and off the field. He was the epitome of what leadership, sportsmanship, and teammate stood for; not to mention he was a hell of a player. I believe some here are picking SOS because of their age and that's fine, but IMO its not even close.

Tebow it is!

Never would have guessed, from your name. ;-)

[GATORAZ]

Relating back to the OP i like Chris would have loved the Fun n Gun.

I've always wondered how Brantley would have done under SOS tutelage. If the Ol Ball Coach was here I have no doubt JB IV would've been here and would've been a better QB for it

I dont think Brantley was bad as some people make him out to be. But I am not sure Brantley was tough enough mentally or physically to play for SOS.

[VolsFan07]

Arian Foster?

[gatorump]

To me a "Gator" is more than a great player. It's a way of life it's passion when we play, it's seeing a UF game on TV no matter the sport and watching because you have an interest. It's walking by someone with a Gator shirt on and saying, "Go Gators". It's a passion for Saturday in the fall. It's anticipation for March and early April. It's hoping we finally break through in gymnastics, baseball, softball, lacrosse or whatever the sport. It's watching tennis or track on the internet to celebrate another NC. And all other things Gator related. It's who is left after the vineclad halls have produced yet another generation. The greatest "Gator" is what makes the players want to perform and to me it's the Gator Nation and I am proud to be part of the greatest Gator.

[ovillegator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1TFthJbdYE

Fast forward to about 5:30...goose bumps. I can remember people crying where we watched it at...

Will NEVER forget that play. You're right, still get goosebumps from it!

Love the announcers, sounds like they are crying tears of joy too!

[theologator]

2006 comparison:

Tebow had 33 pass attempts and 89 rushes for a total of 122 touches. He passed for 358 yards and 5 TDs. He ran for 469 yards and 8 TDs - a total of 827 yards and 13 TDs.

Percy ran for 428 yards and 3 TDs. He caught 34 passes for 427 yards and 2 TDs - total 855 yards and 5 TDs.

There were a total of 53 offensive TDs in 2006.

1. The facts do not support the theory that Percy was more productive than Tebow that year. They were both vital, but Tebow was more significant due to the TDs.

2. Given the offensive struggles noted above, their contributions are all the more critical.

3. Neither of these facts diminish Chris Leak.

[whitelakegator]

Will NEVER forget that play. You're right, still get goosebumps from it!

Love the announcers, sounds like they are crying tears of joy too!

Glad to bring back some good memories. Have a ton to share.

[socraticsilence]

2006 comparison:

Tebow had 33 pass attempts and 89 rushes for a total of 122 touches. He passed for 358 yards and 5 TDs. He ran for 469 yards and 8 TDs - a total of 827 yards and 13 TDs.

Percy ran for 428 yards and 3 TDs. He caught 34 passes for 427 yards and 2 TDs - total 855 yards and 5 TDs.

There were a total of 53 offensive TDs in 2006.

1. The facts do not support the theory that Percy was more productive than Tebow that year. They were both vital, but Tebow was more significant due to the TDs.

2. Given the offensive struggles noted above, their contributions are all the more critical.

3. Neither of these facts diminish Chris Leak.

Its a mark of where we are now offensively, that jumping to 2006 levels would represent a titanic leap in production- 18 additional offensive TDs for example.

[socraticsilence]

Percy's problem is and always has been, that he doesn't always make it to the office at all. If he was not injury and migraine prone, we would be talking about an all time great at both levels.

This-- its a bit easier to have no bad days if you just aren't available 25% of the time-- Percy was amazing when he played, but he missed too many games to be up there with Tim.

[GatorSean]

Will NEVER forget that play. You're right, still get goosebumps from it!

Love the announcers, sounds like they are crying tears of joy too!

It's really interesting watching the whole drive as well. All I really remember was the last play, but really, a lot went on that led to that...

-Houston had a really nice return to set everything up.

-Rhett was as dependable as he always was and got almost all of the yards on that drive minus the TD catch.

-Danny wasn't particularly sharp (by Danny standards) as UK dropped a pretty easy INT and had a chance at another.

-If Doering would have caught the pass before the TD catch, we probably kick a FG to tie it. Was there overtime that year?

-Final play was just perfection. I'm pretty sure it was the same play Spurrier ran this year on the final play against Michigan in the bowl game. He makes it look so easy!

[AFCyberGator]

This-- its a bit easier to have no bad days if you just aren't available 25% of the time-- Percy was amazing when he played, but he missed too many games to be up there with Tim.

Totally agree. I would love to mention Harvin, but he can only earn the title of "most exciting" or "most electric" due to his injuries and migraines. The greatest Gators in my book all show up to work, and put in 100% at practice--two things Harvin seemed to lack.

[secgator]

No offense, but IMO, Chris Leak is overrated. And the NFL and CFL agree with me. Funny you credit him with all our success that year, I credit him with costing us the Auburn game.Tebow didn't win the 2006 NC, but without him, we finish 10-2, out of the title picture.

If you are referring to the so-called "fumble"....there were photos which showed Chris had clearly released the ball and it should have been an incomplete pass and was definitely NOT a fumble.

Although with the home cooking play review that Auburn is noted for--especially that particular year--there is no surprise it was ruled a fumble and ended our drive. I have to disagree with you on Chris costing us the Auburn game as it was the play review that game. And in the big scheme of things, it turned out the loss didn't matter.

If you kinda-sorta hold that against Chris by viewing him as costing us the game, in the same manner you could hold Tim accountable for the Ole Miss loss in 08--he should have been able to make that 4th down but didn't, so we ended up with our only loss. As in the case with Chris and Auburn--it didn't matter. Neither of them cost us any games, and even if they had--individual plays don't factor in to the overall contribution as Gators. Both were elite in their own way, but Tebow received the adulation and hype much more than Chris--and deservedly so. But Chris was most surely our QB for our 08 season, and just had some help throughout the season from Tim. Chris has never been given the proper credit for that season in my view--without him as QB, we simply would NOT have won the NC in 06. And had it been Tebow as the main QB that year in lieu of Chris, I simply don't see us even being close to winning it all. 08 was Leak's title moreso than Tim...IMHO.

[AFCyberGator]

Chris Leak is over-rated? No way. Not in college football. He was never rated high in the NFL or CFL, so he could not be over-rated. He is a great Gator that made the best of some bad situations with coaching changes.

[theologator]

Its a mark of where we are now offensively, that jumping to 2006 levels would represent a titanic leap in production- 18 additional offensive TDs for example.

That is a really instructive point.

[number1]

Tim Tebow is the answer of course

[Wormwood56]

Tebow did more than Harvin did in 2006. While Percy showed out in the SECCG he was also hurt for some of the season. How can Percy be the "greatest Gator" when he only played 1 full season, and missed crucial games in 2 others? And then didn't even play his senior year? He's not even in my top 10 but I don't use NFL accomplishments as my criteria for "Greatest Gator."

Tebow had crucial plays vs UT, LSU, South Carolina and Ohio State, among others.

I re-watched the 2006 season and while both Percy and TT contributed, there were 10-15 guys who contributed more. The defense was the key to that team- the offense was barely average.

"Barely average." That would mean about 60th out of 120 teams. Below are the total offenses by Florida since 2000, and included are the number of top 30 defenses each team faced that year, in order to see if their numbers were propped up by a easy schedule:

Year-----------Total Offense------# top 30 def opponents-------OC

2001.........................2d................... ........................3.................Spurrier
2009.........................6th.................. ........................4.................Addazio/Meyer
2007.......................14th................... .......................5.................Mullen
2008.......................15th................... .......................7.................Mullen
2006.......................19th................... .......................8.................Mullen
2004.......................22d.................... .......................6.................Fedora
2000.......................24th................... .......................6.................Spurrier
2002.......................25th................... .......................5.................Zaunbrech er
2003.......................46th................... .......................6.................Zaunbrech er
2005.......................61st................... .......................5.................Mullen
2010.......................82d.................... .......................5.................Addazio/Meyer
2012.....................103rd.................... ......................6.................Pease
2011.....................105th.................... ......................8.................Weis

The 2006 Gator offense was hardly "barely average." considering the calibre of the competition they played, it was quite good. Was it flashy, hanging half a hundred on everyone, for style points? No. But it was an extremely effective offense to complement our great defense that year.

The offense was FAR better than people give them credit for. And it was Leak's offense. Tebow contributed, as did Deshawn Wynn, Dallas Baker, Percy Harvin, Bubba Caldwell, and the rest of the offense. But as Caldwell said, "We all love what Tim is doing for us, but make no mistake, this is Chris's team." As such, he gets the credit for the ring, just as Tebow gets the credit in 2008, and Danny gets the credit for 1996.

But in their efforts to exalt their heroes, folks often exaggerate their accomplishments. You see this all the time, with Danny getting credit for winning FOUR SEC titles (Terry Dean won the 1993 SECCG and was its MVP), while Rex Grossman gets credit for winning an SEC title by virtue of winning the SECCG, while Jesse Palmer did most of the heavy lifting in 2000.

But it IS gratifying to see Chris get a lot of love on the boards these days. It was quite a bit different here back in 2006...

[steve6137]

"Barely average." That would mean about 60th out of 120 teams. Below are the total offenses by Florida since 2000, and included are the number of top 30 defenses each team faced that year, in order to see if their numbers were propped up by a easy schedule:

Year-----------Total Offense------# top 30 def opponents-------OC

2001.........................2d................... ........................3.................Spurrier
2009.........................6th.................. ........................4.................Addazio/Meyer
2007.......................14th................... .......................5.................Mullen
2008.......................15th................... .......................7.................Mullen
2006.......................19th................... .......................8.................Mullen
2004.......................22d.................... .......................6.................Fedora
2000.......................24th................... .......................6.................Spurrier
2002.......................25th................... .......................5.................Zaunbrech er
2003.......................46th................... .......................6.................Zaunbrech er
2010.......................82d.................... .......................5.................Addazio/Meyer
2012.....................103rd.................... ......................6.................Pease
2011.....................105th.................... ......................8.................Weis

The 2006 Gator offense was hardly "barely average." considering the calibre of the competition they played, it was quite good. Was it flashy, hanging half a hundred on everyone, for style points? No. But it was an extremely effective offense to complement our great defense that year.

The offense was FAR better than people give them credit for. And it was Leak's offense. Tebow contributed, as did Deshawn Wynn, Dallas Baker, Percy Harvin, Bubba Caldwell, and the rest of the offense. But as Caldwell said, "We all love what Tim is doing for us, but make no mistake, this is Chris's team." As such, he gets the credit for the ring, just as Tebow gets the credit in 2008, and Danny gets the credit for 1996.

But in their efforts to exalt their heroes, folks often exaggerate their accomplishments. You see this all the time, with Danny getting credit for winning FOUR SEC titles (Terry Dean won the 1993 SECCG and was its MVP), while Rex Grossman gets credit for winning an SEC title by virtue of winning the SECCG, while Jesse Palmer did most of the heavy lifting in 2000.

But it IS gratifying to see Chris get a lot of love on the boards these days. It was quite a bit different here back in 2006...

Great post!

[pcolafan]

The greatest Gator ever is Billy Donovan.

[whitelakegator]

"Barely average." That would mean about 60th out of 120 teams. Below are the total offenses by Florida since 2000, and included are the number of top 30 defenses each team faced that year, in order to see if their numbers were propped up by a easy schedule:

Year-----------Total Offense------# top 30 def opponents-------OC

2001.........................2d................... ........................3.................Spurrier
2009.........................6th.................. ........................4.................Addazio/Meyer
2007.......................14th................... .......................5.................Mullen
2008.......................15th................... .......................7.................Mullen
2006.......................19th................... .......................8.................Mullen
2004.......................22d.................... .......................6.................Fedora
2000.......................24th................... .......................6.................Spurrier
2002.......................25th................... .......................5.................Zaunbrech er
2003.......................46th................... .......................6.................Zaunbrech er
2010.......................82d.................... .......................5.................Addazio/Meyer
2012.....................103rd.................... ......................6.................Pease
2011.....................105th.................... ......................8.................Weis

The 2006 Gator offense was hardly "barely average." considering the calibre of the competition they played, it was quite good. Was it flashy, hanging half a hundred on everyone, for style points? No. But it was an extremely effective offense to complement our great defense that year.

The offense was FAR better than people give them credit for. And it was Leak's offense. Tebow contributed, as did Deshawn Wynn, Dallas Baker, Percy Harvin, Bubba Caldwell, and the rest of the offense. But as Caldwell said, "We all love what Tim is doing for us, but make no mistake, this is Chris's team." As such, he gets the credit for the ring, just as Tebow gets the credit in 2008, and Danny gets the credit for 1996.

But in their efforts to exalt their heroes, folks often exaggerate their accomplishments. You see this all the time, with Danny getting credit for winning FOUR SEC titles (Terry Dean won the 1993 SECCG and was its MVP), while Rex Grossman gets credit for winning an SEC title by virtue of winning the SECCG, while Jesse Palmer did most of the heavy lifting in 2000.

But it IS gratifying to see Chris get a lot of love on the boards these days. It was quite a bit different here back in 2006...

Rep'd for fantastic content.

[Distant Gator]

"Barely average." That would mean about 60th out of 120 teams. Below are the total offenses by Florida since 2000, and included are the number of top 30 defenses each team faced that year, in order to see if their numbers were propped up by a easy schedule:

Year-----------Total Offense------# top 30 def opponents-------OC

2001.........................2d................... ........................3.................Spurrier
2009.........................6th.................. ........................4.................Addazio/Meyer
2007.......................14th................... .......................5.................Mullen
2008.......................15th................... .......................7.................Mullen
2006.......................19th................... .......................8.................Mullen
2004.......................22d.................... .......................6.................Fedora
2000.......................24th................... .......................6.................Spurrier
2002.......................25th................... .......................5.................Zaunbrech er
2003.......................46th................... .......................6.................Zaunbrech er
2010.......................82d.................... .......................5.................Addazio/Meyer
2012.....................103rd.................... ......................6.................Pease
2011.....................105th.................... ......................8.................Weis

The 2006 Gator offense was hardly "barely average." considering the calibre of the competition they played, it was quite good. Was it flashy, hanging half a hundred on everyone, for style points? No. But it was an extremely effective offense to complement our great defense that year.

The offense was FAR better than people give them credit for. And it was Leak's offense. Tebow contributed, as did Deshawn Wynn, Dallas Baker, Percy Harvin, Bubba Caldwell, and the rest of the offense. But as Caldwell said, "We all love what Tim is doing for us, but make no mistake, this is Chris's team." As such, he gets the credit for the ring, just as Tebow gets the credit in 2008, and Danny gets the credit for 1996.

But in their efforts to exalt their heroes, folks often exaggerate their accomplishments. You see this all the time, with Danny getting credit for winning FOUR SEC titles (Terry Dean won the 1993 SECCG and was its MVP), while Rex Grossman gets credit for winning an SEC title by virtue of winning the SECCG, while Jesse Palmer did most of the heavy lifting in 2000.

But it IS gratifying to see Chris get a lot of love on the boards these days. It was quite a bit different here back in 2006...

First- nice post. I appreciate the facts. (No sarcasm at all.)
My comment was not meant to denigrate our offense as much as pump up our defensive contribution.
But IMO our offense was not that good in 2006. It's output was average. Just to refresh...

Tennessee- 21 pts
Kentucky- 26 pts
Bama- 28 pts (7 from a pick 6)
LSU- 23 (2 from safety)
Auburn-17
UGA- 21
Vandy- 25
S. Carolina- 17
FSU- 21

So against our normal competition our offense scored around 21/ game-taking out the WCU and UCFs of the world. 21/ game from an offense is average.

BUT you have a valid point about the defenses we faced. Another valid point is that our poor kicker cost us a lot of points that year. Our offense was actually BETTER than its stats but was held back by a kicker who was 4 for 14 at one point in the year.

But my point is that our defense carried us to the title. People talk like Harvin, Tebow and Leak were the major factors in the title. As a fair-minded person it bothers me that they leave out our incredible defensive players who IMO don't get the credit they deserve. 2006 was one of the best Gator D's of all time.

I realize I'm leaving out the last 2 games re our offensive production. Our O was much improved then. (For one thing our kicker made his FGs.) But we would have NEVER got to those games if not for our D.

And let me make a small correction to your post about Danny-
Yes Terry Dean won the SECCG and was SECCG MVP.
But we never get to that game without Danny.
Danny threw the TD to beat UK in 93. (Otherwise we tie or lose.)
Danny beat UT in the most important game of the year.
Danny led us from behind vs South Carolina. (We were down 17-0.)

We ended up 7-1 that year. UT ended 6-1-1. If we lose ANY of those games- esp UT-there is no SECCG.

So Danny deserves LOTS of credit for the SEC title. Dean does as well.

I think it's fair to say that the SEC title doesn't happen without either player.

[VolsFan07]

Lot of great athletes and coaches at UF over the years. But, my vote would go to your Athletics Director. He is one of the best in the business and has just about all sports at UF at a highly competitive level.

[tilly]

The greatest Gator ever is Billy Donovan.

I think he should be #2 to SOS. SOS did it as a coach and player

But BD is carving out his place in not just Gator ...but college sports history.

[Wormwood56]

First- nice post. I appreciate the facts. (No sarcasm at all.)
My comment was not meant to denigrate our offense as much as pump up our defensive contribution.
But IMO our offense was not that good in 2006. It's output was average. Just to refresh...

Tennessee- 21 pts
Kentucky- 26 pts
Bama- 28 pts (7 from a pick 6)
LSU- 23 (2 from safety)
Auburn-17
UGA- 21
Vandy- 25
S. Carolina- 17
FSU- 21

So against our normal competition our offense scored around 21/ game-taking out the WCU and UCFs of the world. 21/ game from an offense is average.

Again, considering the quality of the competition we played, as well as the continuing experimentation to get Chris into the most productive mode, it was one of our stronger offenses of the decade. Indeed, it was 5th out of 13 offenses, and probably better than that, after you factor in the number of top defensive teams we played. Just because we didn't run up half a hundred on everyone did it mean they were barely average.

BUT you have a valid point about the defenses we faced. Another valid point is that our poor kicker cost us a lot of points that year. Our offense was actually BETTER than its stats but was held back by a kicker who was 4 for 14 at one point in the year.

That was rough indeed.

But my point is that our defense carried us to the title. People talk like Harvin, Tebow and Leak were the major factors in the title. As a fair-minded person it bothers me that they leave out our incredible defensive players who IMO don't get the credit they deserve. 2006 was one of the best Gator D's of all time.

So was our defenses in 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 2001. who gets the lion's share of the ink? They didn't get near the credit THEY deserved, either...

I realize I'm leaving out the last 2 games re our offensive production. Our O was much improved then. (For one thing our kicker made his FGs.) But we would have NEVER got to those games if not for our D.

Ditto with all our other great years. It's a team effort.

And let me make a small correction to your post about Danny-
Yes Terry Dean won the SECCG and was SECCG MVP.
But we never get to that game without Danny.

Yes, but that is the same argument as Tebow in 2006. Who tends to get the lion's share of the credit? Danny or Terry?

Danny threw the TD to beat UK in 93. (Otherwise we tie or lose.)
Danny beat UT in the most important game of the year.
Danny led us from behind vs South Carolina. (We were down 17-0.)

Interesting parallels with Jesse Palmer. Yet who gets most of the credit for the 2000 SEC title?

We ended up 7-1 that year. UT ended 6-1-1. If we lose ANY of those games- esp UT-there is no SECCG.

So Danny deserves LOTS of credit for the SEC title. Dean does as well.

I think it's fair to say that the SEC title doesn't happen without either player.

It doesn't happen without a couple dozen players, at least. But starting QBs tend to get more of the credit, and favored heroes always get more credit than the less favored. Terry Dean was benched by Spurrier, so he becomes a footnote. Jesse was not as sexy and gunslingerish as Rex. And Leak was not "The Chosen One," in spite of the big splash Leak made when HE came to Florida.

It's all about perceptions, and perception is NOT reality.

Great post!

[Gatorrick22]

Tim Tebow is the answer of course

This.........without a doubt.

[theologator]

The recruiting thread got me to thinking-- who was the greatest Gator football player of all-time?

Just a reminder of the thread's question. I'm very happy to read all the support for Billy D, Foley & SOS as a player & coach, but the question asked is "greatest Gator football player of all-time" not "Greatest Gator". That is also a great question, though a different one.

[stjohnsgator]

Wilber Marshall
Wes Chandler

[theologator]

Wilber Marshall
Wes Chandler

Both of those belong in the conversation. My first trip to Florida Field was Wes Chandler's coming out party vs. SMU. Unbelievable athlete & maybe still the Gators' all-time leading NFL receiver (not sure about that but it's either him or Ike.)

I was also at Wilber's national debut vs. USC and was a student at that time. I was able to meet him several times. Super nice guy, very quiet, and a terror on the field.

[wygator]

I think he should be #2 to SOS. SOS did it as a coach and player

But BD is carving out his place in not just Gator ...but college sports history.

Only 3 active coaches have multiple national championships in basketball.

Billy D is one.

[rounds]

Nobody is reading the parameters in the OP.

Percy Harvin for pure excitment every other play.
Tim Tebow for putting team on his shoulders if needed.

SOS for best Gator overall.

[steve6137]

Not one vote for Banana Man.

Shocking.

[gatorbogey]

It would have been a heckuva collision.

we could do one of those old SNL 'Ditka' skits over this one :)
who'd win, Tebow or Marshall? "what if ditka had to tackle ditka?"

[supagator]

Tim Tebow

[gatorbait1]

Tim Tebow

Agree

[tilly]

Tim Tebow is the answer of course

"Of course" ....Ahead of Spurrier and Billy?

Steve won a Title and multiple SEC's as a coach, He won a Heisman, and he developed Danny into a Heisman QB.

Billy has been to 3 final fours. 3 Title games and won 2 National Championships. And also has multiple SEC's

Tim is the most popular and perhaps the most beloved. But to say "of course" is a bit of an exaggeration in my opinion.

[secgator]

"Of course" ....Ahead of Spurrier and Billy?

Steve won a Title and multiple SEC's as a coach, He won a Heisman, and he developed Danny into a Heisman QB.

Billy has been to 3 final fours. 3 Title games and won 2 National Championships. And also has multiple SEC's

Tim is the most popular and perhaps the most beloved. But to say "of course" is a bit of an exaggeration in my opinion.

Agree. Tim is without doubt the most popular, and most decorated--and largely due to exposure, outside of his accomplishments. But considering Danny didn't get the same degree of exposure(mostly due to technology and media), and SOS-while a player--had virtually no exposure whatsoever. IMO, if ranking a Gator as 'greatest', it should be the entire package and when ALL things are considered--the whole body of work....SOS deserves the title over anyone else considered.

Danny and Tim both are equals in their accomplishments and deserved to be tied at #2, with multiple players falling in close behind.

[socraticsilence]

That is a really instructive point.

Yeah, I mean I remember being frustrated as all get out with the 20006 offense at times so I looked back at there stats and its kind of stunning how much better that offense was than what we've had recently- it wasn't a Tebow offense, a Spurrier Offense or even the best Leak offense but it was much, much better than what we had last year- it really puts into perspective just how far away we were from a true title contender despite our ranking.

[socraticsilence]

The greatest Gator ever is Billy Donovan.

Greatest Coach, no doubt- he combines the length and program building of Spurrier with the peak value of Meyer.

[Gatorrick22]

Tebow!

[tilly]

Tastes Great!

[tilly]

Less Filling!

[socraticsilence]

We need a new offensive star, its only been 3 seasons but Tim feels like longer ago- I just don't want to be like those sad old UGA fans talking about "back when we had Herschel"

[Wormwood56]

We need a new offensive star, its only been 3 seasons but Tim feels like longer ago- I just don't want to be like those sad old UGA fans talking about "back when we had Herschel"

I continue to think that Muschamp is building a Bama-type offense, with no big stars. Not flashy in the Spurrier-Era fashion, but damned effective in the Galen Hall-Charley Pell manner...

[tilly]

Bama-type offense, with no big stars.
Like Mark Ingram? The heisman trophy winner?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tablet using Gator Country

[dvillegator]

Wilber Marshall was an animal. Unlike SOS and Tebow, he was an all-pro NFL player for many years. Same can obviously be said for Emmitt. But you gotta love Spurrier for resurrecting the program as well as for the greatest sound bite in Gator history: "You can't spell 'Citrus' without UT."

[nawlinsgator]

Agree. Tim is without doubt the most popular, and most decorated--

You forgot "most recent".
I love Tebow, but he's third behind Danny and SOS.

[Wormwood56]

Like Mark Ingram? The heisman trophy winner?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tablet using Gator Country

It speaks volumes about Bama's offenses throughout the decades that Ingram was their FIRST heisman trophy winner. I said 'Bama-TYPE offense.' And it's true. That offense, with a dominant defense, wins rings. Ask Spurrier, who finally domped his offense-first philosophy in 2010 and started winning at USCe.

[ofmgator]

Tebow,SOS, Danny & Billy in no particular order because they each individually did great things here on and off the field of play.

[socraticsilence]

I continue to think that Muschamp is building a Bama-type offense, with no big stars. Not flashy in the Spurrier-Era fashion, but damned effective in the Galen Hall-Charley Pell manner...

What did we win in that period? That's not the way modern Florida football has worked we build on speed and flash with an aggressive defense- it takes advantage of our state's talent base, until we accomplish something as a team of grinders I'll remain a bit skeptical; winning cures everything but its not as fun to watch as the Meyer and Spurrier approaches.

[socraticsilence]

It speaks volumes about Bama's offenses throughout the decades that Ingram was their FIRST heisman trophy winner. I said 'Bama-TYPE offense.' And it's true. That offense, with a dominant defense, wins rings. Ask Spurrier, who finally domped his offense-first philosophy in 2010 and started winning at USCe.

Good defense is necessary but it's bit overrated look at the last decade every title winner had a great defense but about half were offense led teams- USC 04, Texas 05, Florida 08, Auburn 10- all were offense first teams.