The Top Dogs of the Power Five (Part One)
So long, Power Five. You will be missed..
I can trace my coming of age alongside college sports. One of my first clear sports memories was the 2004 NCAA Tournament championship game between UConn and Georgia Tech. My dad, a lifelong UConn fan from Connecticut, also graduated from Georgia Tech, leading me to a critical realization: there were no losing scenarios for him in that game. And I hated losing. As the oldest of three boys, I was fiercely competitive, always inventing ways to beat my younger brothers in any type of activity. That evening, I discovered the joy of rooting for two teams at once within the chaos of college sports, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
In 2004, my family moved from California to Virginia, and the transition for me was tough. Entering a new environment led me to retreat within myself. I don’t remember much about 2005 when it comes to any sport. But with time, as I settled into my new home, made friends, and adjusted to my new life, my love for college sports returned with full force.
School lunches became synonymous with talking sports—discussing games, clowning each other’s teams, hyping our fantasy squads. We covered the whole sports landscape, but college sports were the heart and soul, the safe space. In high school, we’d congregate in our favorite teacher’s room during study hall to watch March Madness. I still remember the entire classroom starting a mosh pit when Kemba Walker dusted that dude’s ankles on Pittsburgh. College football was a ritual—find a basement on Saturdays to watch the games, head to Glory Days sports bar for the national championship game. When choosing a college to attend, I picked Virginia Tech for its football culture more than anything.
Fast forward to the present, and I can’t help but feel nostalgic for those bygone days. Don’t get me wrong, college sports still rule, but there’s a transactional nature to the whole system now. On the bright side, players are getting paid like they always deserved to, but the system increasingly resembles professional sports—schools manage their rosters like GMs working the salary cap, and players prioritize earnings potential and situational happiness over continuity.
The real tragedy through all this change is the decay of the conferences and regional rivalries we’ve cherished. Realignment isn’t new (miss you forever, old Big East), but at least we kept the rest of the major conferences to uphold a semblance of history. Maryland to the Big Ten or Texas A&M to the SEC were minor shifts in the grand scheme. Cal and Stanford to the ACC, on the other hand, is a step too far.
The dissolving of the Pac-12 marks the death of the Power Five conference era in college sports, and the transformation isn’t finished. Will regional conferences even exist in 10 years, or will the most powerful schools form a “Super League”? As schools focus on revenue-generating sports like football and basketball, what will happen to downstream sports like baseball, soccer, and lacrosse?
Alas, it’s time to move past the wallowing and focus on celebration. What better way to do so then by determining the most significant athlete ever produced from Power Five collegiate athletics? The Top Dog.
I’ve identified 64 schools that form the core membership of the Power Five historically. This excludes schools like Tulane, who left the SEC in 1966, and recent additions like BYU, Houston and UCF, who’ve yet to establish meaningful ties to their new conferences. After extensive research, I’ve nominated one athlete per school based on two criteria:
College Career Achievements: Did they win a national championship or play on successful teams? What individual accolades did they accrue throughout their career?
Fame Factor: If the athlete were to walk into the most popular bar on campus this weekend, how much attention would they draw? Keep in mind that an athlete’s level of fame can come in many forms—professional stardom, contributions beyond sports, or kicking so much ass while playing at the collegiate level that they’re forever etched in history, even if their post-college career was less notable.
After nominating 64 athletes, I ranked them against one another to determine who takes the crown. As you can imagine, perfecting these rankings is an impossible task. My general rule of thumb was to rank the athletes by who best combined the two factors above, but in tie-breaking scenarios, collegiate accomplishments were most decisive. I am also holding every sport on an even playing field, rather than trying to compare the relative difficulties of each athletic craft. An athlete’s dominance over their domain is what matters to me.
Given the scope of these rankings, I’ll be rolling them out in four installments, each covering 16 athletes, ranked in descending order. Today’s focus is on the bottom quartile, but don’t be misled—even the bottom of this list contains Hall of Famers, champions, and record-holders.
64. Chauncey Billups (Basketball)
Representing: Colorado
The competitiveness of this list is demonstrated by Chauncey Billups, a former NBA Finals MVP known as “Mr. Big Shot” for his legendary heroics, ranking dead last. In my defense, Billups’ playing career at Colorado was brief. He excelled as a freshman, but the team finished last in the conference with a 9-18 record. His sophomore year was more notable, leading the Buffaloes to their first NCAA tournament in 28 years, where they lost in the second round. Billups earned Second-team All-American honors and was drafted with the third pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, the highest selection in program history. After a Hall of Fame NBA career, he’s remained in the spotlight as the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Honorable Mention: Rashaan Salaam, Kordell Stewart, Hale Irwin
63. Ryan Leaf (Football)
Representing: Washington State
Ryan Leaf remains a cautionary tale in NFL history. Drafted 2nd in the 1998 NFL Draft behind Peyton Manning, Leaf threw for 2 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in his rookie season, compounding his struggles with behavioral issues off the field. Leaf's career ended with only 21 starts over four seasons—excluding recent draftees Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, only Rick Norton started less games at quarterback as a top-two pick in the Super Bowl era. Regardless, Leaf was a stud at Washington State. As a junior, he set a conference record for touchdowns, led the Cougars to a top-10 ranking, and nearly defeated national champion Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He was a First-team All-American and finished third in the Heisman Trophy race.
Ironically, Leaf’s tragic legacy mirrors Washington State’s current struggles. Following the dissolution of the Pac-12, the Cougars are joining the West Coast Conference as an affiliate member, with their athletic program's future remaining uncertain.
Honorable Mention: Klay Thompson, John Olerud, Drew Bledsoe
62. Alex Smith (Football)
Representing: Utah
Alex Smith burst onto the scene by leading the 2004 Utah football team to an undefeated season, coining the term ‘BCS Buster’ in the process after winning the Fiesta Bowl. He was a First-Team All-American that season and finished his career with a 21-1 record as the Utah starter. The first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Smith became a reliable starting quarterback who guided the Chiefs to multiple playoff appearances and helped set the stage for Patrick Mahomes’ success. While I won’t be bouncing my future grandchildren on my knee, reminiscing on his achievements, he justified his pre-draft stature. His return from a severe, life-threatening leg injury in 2020 earned him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and widespread respect. Utah’s athletic program built on the success of the 2004 season, joining the Pac-12 in 2011 and becoming a competitive force in the conference. They will compete in the Big 12 this upcoming season.
Honorable Mention: Andrew Bogut, Eric Weddle, Steve Smith Sr.
61. Darren Sproles (Football)
Representing: Kansas State
If you’re 5’6” and under 200 pounds, being a running back is unconventional, but that never mattered to Darren Sproles. At Kansas State, the formula was simple: hand the ball to Sproles and win football games. A three-time All-Conference player, he was a First-team All-American in 2003 after leading the nation in rushing. He peaked in the 2003 Big 12 Championship game, tallying 235 yards rushing and 88 yards receiving to eviscerate a No.1 Oklahoma team that was heavily favored. After dominating in college, Sproles overcame his physical disadvantages to have a successful NFL career, showcasing his versatility and explosiveness as a runner, receiver and return specialist. He was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.
Honorable Mention: Jordy Nelson, Mitch Richmond, Terence Newman
60. David Price (Baseball)
Representing: Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt’s baseball program has won two national championships in the last decade, but David Price’s tenure laid the foundation for their success. After making the Freshman All-American team in 2005, Price almost quit baseball before the coach convinced him to stay with the program. He went on to win the 2007 Golden Spikes Award, the NCAA Baseball equivalent of the Heisman. Vanderbilt entered the 2007 NCAA tournament as the #1 overall seed but failed it to make it out of their regional, despite Price’s complete game with 17 strikeouts in his only start.
Price became the first draft pick in the 2007 MLB Draft. He made five All-Star teams, won the 2012 AL Cy Young, and helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series, amassing over $248 million in his career.
Vanderbilt will continue to take a beating in SEC football until the end of time, but their baseball program—and David Price—remain a point of pride.
Honorable Mention: Jay Cutler, Walker Buehler
59. Sidney Moncrief
Representing: Arkansas
Sidney Moncrief is a forgotten great in the basketball world, with a career that coincided with the rise of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. At Arkansas, Moncrief was a two-time All-American, leading the Razorbacks to three conference championships and the 1978 Final Four. His team lost by one point to Indiana State in the 1979 Elite Eight, nearly preventing the famous Bird vs. Magic NCAA Championship game. Moncrief’s college career was immortalized by this retro Sports Illustrated cover:
In the NBA, Moncrief starred with the Milwaukee Bucks, earning five All-NBA selections. Despite never winning a championship, his impact has been well-recognized—both Arkansas and Milwaukee retired his jersey, and he received induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. Arkansas basketball continued to build on Moncrief’s successful tenure, peaking in the 1990s with three Final Four appearances and a 1994 NCAA Championship.
Honorable Mention: Darren McFadden, Corliss Williamson, Steve Atwater
58. Dak Prescott (Football)
Representing: Mississippi State
Dak Prescott had a monumental impact on Mississippi State football, a program that has lacked for success historically. In 2014, Prescott led the Bulldogs to a 10-3 record and an Orange Bowl appearance, the best season in school history. At one point, they rose to #1 in the national rankings after defeating three top-10 opponents and starting the season 9-0. Dak finished his college career as one of only ten players to throw for 60 touchdowns and rush for 40 touchdowns. In the NFL, he’s found success as the Dallas Cowboys’ starting quarterback, finishing second in MVP voting to Lamar Jackson last season. He’s still searching for the playoff success that would launch his fame into the stratosphere, but his stature as the Cowboys’ QB1 ensures his continued celebrity.
Honorable Mention: Fletcher Cox, Jeffery Simmons, Jonathan Papelbon
57. Eli Manning (Football)
Representing: Ole Miss
If there’s an overarching quality I’ll remember most about Eli Manning, it’s his ability to manage the high expectations and pressure stemming from his family’s football legacy. At Ole Miss, operating under his father’s shadow, he established a legend of his own by 2003, earning a Second-team All-American selection, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards for quarterback excellency. He finished third in 2003 Heisman voting and was the top pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
As a professional, Eli faced the challenge of living up to his older brother Peyton’s success. Once again, he handled the pressure with grace, nearly surpassing Peyton’s Super Bowl trophy count along the way. Eli now overshadows his father as Ole Miss’ signature quarterback, and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame will come calling soon.
Honorable Mention: Archie Manning, Patrick Willis
56. Ndamukong Suh (Football)
Representing: Nebraska
It felt odd not selecting a player from Nebraska’s golden era, like Tommie Frazier or 1983 Heisman winner Mike Rozier, but you had to be there with Suh. This guy treated offensive lineman like children in 2009. I’ll never forget his heroic 4.5 sack-performance against Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game, thwarted by a buzzer-beating Justin Tucker field goal. If you’re inclined to skip highlight videos while reading articles, I beg you not to skip this one:
Suh was so dominant that he received legitimate Heisman trophy consideration as a defensive tackle, finishing fourth in the voting. To this day, it remains the greatest college football season I’ve seen by a defensive player. Given his college dominance, the fact that he made five All-Pro teams in his NFL career feels almost disappointing. I believed he was going to reach Lawrence Taylor’s level as one of the all-time greats. Alas, he can settle for the greatest football player in Nebraska’s storied history.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Burroughs, Tommie Frazier, Mike Rozier
55. Kelsey Plum (Basketball)
Representing: Washington
Though Caitlin Clark recently broke the sound barrier in NCAA women’s basketball, don’t forget that Kelsey Plum was the sport’s all-time scoring leader when she graduated in 2017. I promise you Clark’s record-breaking moment wasn’t as cool as Plum’s, who broke it by scoring 57 points against Utah on her senior night. Plum dominated immediately at Washington, scoring 20.9 points per game as a freshman and rising to 31.7 points per game her senior year, when she received the Naismith College Player of the Year award. She also led the Huskies to their first and only Final Four appearance in school history during her junior season.
Drafted 1st in the 2017 WNBA draft, Plum has continued to excel, helping the Las Vegas Aces win back-to-back championships and boosting her recognition nationally. Washington has seen many great athletes and teams, but Plum’s success in both college and the pros sets her apart.
Honorable Mention: Hope Solo, Warren Moon, Steve Emtman
54. Charles Woodson (Football)
Representing: Michigan
I understand that a prominent quarterback used to play football at Michigan, but there’s no parallel to Charles Woodson’s 1997 college football season—he became the only defensive player to ever win the Heisman trophy and led Michigan to its first national championship since 1948. Woodson was also a First-team All-American in 1996 and earned First-team All-Conference honors in every season he played. Beyond his prowess in the defensive backfield, he moonlighted as a receiver, running back, and punt returner for the Wolverines.
Woodson continued returning punts in the NFL, although he never got to flex his rushing and receiving skills to the same degree, finishing with only 2 catches for 27 yards in his career. Fortunately, he excelled as a cornerback, making 8 All-Pro teams, winning the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and securing a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. The College and Pro Football Halls of Fame couldn’t usher this guy in quickly enough.
Honorable Mention: Tom Brady, Chris Webber, Desmond Howard
53. Deshaun Watson (Football)
Representing: Clemson
If this list didn’t take post-college legacies into consideration, Deshaun Watson would be thirty spots higher. He accounted for 478 yards and four touchdowns in the Tigers’ 2015 national championship game loss to Alabama. The following season, Watson avenged the loss by throwing a game-winning touchdown pass against Alabama with one second left in the national championship game. Only Watson and Kyler Murray have thrown for 4,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 yards in a college football season. Head coach Dabo Swinney compared Watson to Michael Jordan during the NFL draft process in 2017.
Watson has displayed superstar potential in the NFL, but his post-Clemson career is tainted by numerous sexual assault and harassment lawsuits. These off-field issues have impacted his performance, where he’s struggled to justify his $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns. His story is unfinished, but it’s disheartening to see a player who should have been celebrated become a besmirched figure.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Lawrence, William “The Refrigerator” Perry, Brian Dawkins
52. David Thompson (Basketball)
Representing: NC State
I used to work with a bunch of NC State alumni, and during one team meeting, chaos erupted when someone mentioned David Thompson. Reactions ranged from “the greatest basketball player of all time” to “who in the world is that?”. A perfect encapsulation of Thompson’s legacy. Thompson completed a Triple Crown of sorts at NC State—an undefeated season in 1973 (despite a postseason ban for recruiting violations), a national championship in 1974, and the National Player of the Year award in 1975.
Drafted first in both the ABA and NBA drafts in 1975, Thompson chose the Denver Nuggets in the ABA before the leagues merged in 1977. He continued to star in the NBA, making the All-NBA First Team twice and scoring 73 points in a game in 1978. Though overlooked in basketball history, he earned the nickname “Skywalker” for a reason—Michael Jordan once said, “the whole meaning of vertical leap began with David Thompson.”
Honorable Mention: Phillip Rivers, Torry Holt, Russell Wilson
51. Rob Gronkowski (Football)
Representing: Arizona
It’s a testament to Gronk’s outsized cultural presence that he represents Arizona, a basketball powerhouse, as a football player. Though his college career didn’t match his New England achievements, he was a Third-team All-American his sophomore year. If he hadn’t missed the next season due to back surgery, he might not have fallen to the Patriots in the 2nd round of the NFL draft. But he did, and now he belongs at or near the top of any conversation about the greatest tight ends of all time.
Arizona football may not hold a candle to its basketball program, but I guarantee Gronkowski is drawing more attention on campus than Steve Kerr or Jason Terry. After all, this is a man who turned his kitchen into a slip-and-slide in college. I’m choosing that experience over listening to Steve Kerr discuss inverted pick-and-rolls or why he benched Jayson Tatum any day of the week.
Honorable Mention: Steve Kerr, Tedy Bruschi, Andre Iguodala
50. Gary Payton (Basketball)
Representing: Oregon State
Congratulations to Gary Payton, who rebounds from destruction via The Last Dance to make this hallowed list. Before becoming “The Glove”, Payton established himself as the greatest basketball player in Oregon State history, capping off his career with a superb 1990 season, earning First-team All-American honors and the Pac-10 Player of the Year Award. Like Sidney Moncrief, Payton graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, commemorating his college dominance and trash-talking mastery.
Payton’s professional career speaks for itself: 9 All-NBA selections, the 1996 Defensive Player of the Year award, and a supporting role on the Miami Heat’s 2006 NBA title team. He’s the greatest player in the history of the Seattle SuperSonics franchise. Considering the state of turmoil in Oregon State’s athletic program after their Pac-12 contemporaries spurned them, it’s hard to imagine the Beavers ever having a greater basketball player.
Honorable Mention: Adley Rutschman, Brandin Cooks, Terry Baker
49. Derrick Thomas (Football)
Representing: Alabama
Alabama, the most illustrious program in college football history, has too many players to count that deserve recognition here. At most schools, a former Heisman winner who won a national championship and became an NFL superstar easily claims the top spot. At Alabama that’s the best player on the team in any given year. Representing the program here must transcend individual honors and traditional success.
This brings me to the idea of paving the way. Physicality on both sides of the ball defined Alabama’s reign during the Nick Saban era. Whether it was Derrick Henry, Mark Ingram, or Trent Richardson, Alabama ground opponents to dust with their running game, while the defense mauled teams game after game. The late 80’s aren’t remembered as the pinnacle of Alabama football, but nobody set the physical tone for the program like Derrick Thomas.
Thomas had 27 sacks in 1988. In a 12-game season. That might be more unbreakable than Lebron James’ NBA scoring record. He continued to torment NFL quarterbacks throughout the ‘90s before passing away in 2000 after a tragic car crash. I like to think he’s been watching Alabama football over the last 15 years from somewhere, smiling at the fruits of the principles he embodied.
Honorable Mention: Derrick Henry, Joe Namath, Tua Tagovailoa
All statistics courtesy of Stathead unless otherwise noted