Top Ten Greatest Florida Gators

Recruited as a quarterback, Collinsworth began his Gator career with a bang when he threw a 99-yard touchdown pass in his first career game – which remains tied for the longest touchdown pass in NCAA history. He then switched to wide receiver and posted three consecutive All-SEC seasons – including an All-America campaign in 1980. That year the Gators posted the biggest turnaround in NCAA history, going from 0-10-1 to an 8-4 bowl team. Collinsworth finished with 120 receptions for 1,977 yards and 17 total touchdowns. He was inducted into the Gator Hall of Fame in 1991.

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After a stellar freshman season – 873 yards and eight touchdowns – Taylor battled injuries and loaded depth charts for the next two seasons. He played in six games as a sophomore and only seven as a junior, helping the Gators play in back-to-back National Championship games (winning the 1996 title over Florida State). As a senior, and Captain, Taylor rushed for 1,292 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning the team’s MVP award, first-team All-SEC and first-team All-America honors. The school’s fourth-leading rusher of all-time put a stamp on his career in his final game against arch-rival Florida State. In 1997, the Noles were unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the nation when they faced Gators, who were a 31-point underdogs. The back and forth classic was one of Taylor’s finest moments as he carried the Gators to an upset victory with 162 yards and four touchdowns. Many believe it was the greatest game ever played in the Swamp.

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This four-year starter helped lead the Gators to three SEC championships in 1991, 1993 and 1994. After two straight All-SEC seasons, Carter was a consensus All-American as a senior after 11.5 sacks in 1994. He was a Lombardi Award semifinalist and one of five Defensive Player of the Year finalists. His 42.5 career tackles for a loss rank seventh in school history, and his 21.5 career sacks rank him fifth all-time. He started 38 of his last 39 games in college. The Gator Hall of Famer was selected with the sixth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.

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Marshall was a three-time All-SEC selection (1981-83) and a two-time consensus All-American (1982, 1983). He was a two-time finalist for the Lombardi Trophy and was named National Defensive Player of the Year by ABC Sports in 1983. In 2008, Marshall was inducted into the NCAA Football Hall of Fame. He finished his Gator career with 343 tackles, a school-record 58 tackles for a loss and 23 sacks. He is also one of only 10 players in NFL history to register at least 20 sacks and 20 interceptions.

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Remarkably, Kearse began his Florida career as a safety – a testament to his raw athletic ability. He redshirted during Florida’s run to the national title game (a loss to Nebraska). But in 1996, Kearse earned his nickname “The Freak” as he helped the Gators return to the National Championship game – this time getting the win over Florida State. After 38 tackles and 6.5 sacks, Kearse earned All-SEC honors in 1997 before entering his senior season. The Freak’s final season in Gainesville saw Kearse lead the team in sacks (7.5) for the second time. He posted 54 tackles, was named All-SEC, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Butkus, Bednarik and Lombardi Trophies. Despite leaving early for the NFL, Kearse finished his UF career with 145 tackles, 16.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for a loss. The Freak was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.

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After redshirting, Brown began his UF career as an outside linebacker backing up Jevon Kearse. As a sophomore, Brown earned the starting spot, registering 56 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss en route to All-SEC, Walter Camp All-America and Lombari Award recognition. Brown was a team Captain for the 2000 SEC championship team, recording 50 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss playing at defensive end. As a senior, Brown earned consensus All-America honors after a 45-tackle, 13-sack season. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, was a finalist for the Lombardi Trophy (for the third year in a row) and Nagurski Trophy. He finished his career with 161 tackles, 47 tackles for a loss and a Gator-record 33 sacks.

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In his first varsity action as a sophomore, Youngblood made an instant impact along the defensive line at end and tackle as well as handling the kicking duties (including a game-winning 42-yard field goal in his first-ever game). As a junior in 1969, Youngblood led the Gators to a 9-1-1 mark by setting a single-season school record with 14 sacks. As a senior, Youngblood once again led the team in sacks with 10 and was named an All-American. The Outland Trophy finalist claimed SEC Lineman of the Year honors that season as well. Youngblood is regarded by many as one of the most complete defensive ends in NCAA football history. He was inducted into the NCAA Hall of Fame in 1992 and drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the 20th overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft.

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Few college players have even been as productive or decorated as Wuerffel, who left Florida with the record for career passing yards with 10,875, which was good for fifth all-time (since broken). He set the Florida and SEC single-season passing yards mark with 3,625 (since broken). He also set an SEC record with 114 career touchdown passes – good for second-best in NCAA history. His finished his career with an NCAA-record 163.56 QB-rating and won the most coveted trophy in all of sports in 1996 when he claimed the Heisman Trophy. That year, he also led the Gators to the National Championship. Wuerffel was a two-time All-America selection and won back-to-back Davey O’Brien national QB of the Year Awards. As a two-time first-team Academic All-American, Wuerffel is the only Heisman winner to also claim the Draddy Trophy, which is presented by the NCAA Hall of Fame to the nation’s top scholar-athlete.

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The NFL’s all-time leading rusher left Gainesville — after only three seasons — with 58 Florida Gator school records. His 3,928 yards were tops in school history and fifth in SEC history (at the time). In his first career game at Florida, Smith promptly broke the Florida school record for rushing yards in a game with 224 yards on 39 carries against Alabama. A three-time All-America selection, Smith started with National Freshman of the Year honors after 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first year. After battling a knee injury as a sophomore, he earned consensus All-America honors as a junior after a 1,599-yard, 14-TD campaign in 1989. He broke/set records for single-season rushing, single-game rushing (316 yards against New Mexico), longest rushing play (96 yards against Mississippi State) and career rushing touchdowns (39) among many others. He was named SEC Player of the Year and finished seventh in the Heisman voting. Despite the injury, he led the Gators in rushing three straight seasons. The NCAA Hall of Famer was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cowboys.

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Few players have ever impacted the college football gridiron more than Tim Tebow. His cult following began with his recruitment process and grew during his freshman season, when he played his jump-passing back-up role perfectly and enjoyed being a part of an SEC and National Championship in 2006. In his first season as the starter, Tebow shattered all expectations with 3,286 yards passing, 895 yards rushing and 55 total touchdowns (32 pass, 23 rush). Tebow was a consensus All-American, Davey O’Brien winner and became the first underclassmen to ever win the Heisman Trophy. As a junior, Tebow led the Gators back to the SEC and National Championship, breaking Emmitt Smith’s rushing touchdown record along the way. He finished with 2,747 yards passing, 30 TDs and only four INTs to go with his 673 rushing yards and 12 more rushing trips to paydirt. He was third in the Heisman balloting despite landing more first-place votes than any other finalist. As a senior, the legend led the Gators to an unbeaten regular season before falling just short of a third SEC and BCS national title berth at the hands of the Crimson Tide. Tebow rushed for an SEC record 57 TDs over his career. In 985 passing attempts, he threw only 15 career interceptions. Tebow ended his career with a 176.0 QB rating, 9,286 yards and 88 passing TDs to go with 692 carries for 2,947 yards and 57 TDs on the ground.

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