The Top Dogs of the Power Five (Part Two)
Farewell, Power Five. It has been an honor..
To honor the now-defunct Power Five conferences, I began ranking the most influential athletes from all 64 Power Five schools last week. Today, I’m highlighting 16 more legends, ranging from Super Bowl MVPs to overlooked NBA champions. Check out Part One if you missed it. I’ll release Parts Three and Four next week, just in time for Week 1 of the college football season!
48. Von Miller (Football)
Representing: Texas A&M
It’s poetic symmetry to transition from Derrick Thomas last week to Von Miller, who became his successor in the current generation. While Miller’s college peak didn’t match Thomas’ single season record of 27 sacks, Miller became a First-team All-American in his 17-sack junior season and never stopped humming from there.
Miller’s defining moment came in 2015, when he led the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl victory with one of the most dominant defensive performances in a championship game. It was one of the least aesthetically pleasing Super Bowls of my lifetime, with Miller wrecking the Carolina Panthers offense for 3 hours before going home with the Super Bowl MVP trophy. Already a perennial NFL All-Pro, this performance cemented his status as one of the greatest defensive players ever. Even if his career had ended then, he would have been Canton-bound. Instead, he made three more All-Pro teams in the 2010’s and won another championship with the Rams in 2021.
Honorable Mention: Johnny Manziel, Myles Garrett, Khris Middleton
47. Carli Lloyd (Soccer)
Representing: Rutgers
I don’t associate Rutgers University with athletic excellence. Off the top of my head the first Rutgers athlete I thought of was Ray Rice, and the less we say about that dude, the better. Little did I know that two prominent Fox Soccer analysts, Alexi Lalas and Carli Lloyd, both starred for Rutgers’ soccer team. Lalas led Rutgers to two Final Fours and won the Hermann Trophy, the Heisman of college soccer. Lloyd was a finalist for the same award on the women’s side. As far as their professional careers, with all due respect, Lalas was never doing this:
That insane half-field strike was her third goal of the game in a little over 15 minutes. Did I mention that was the WORLD CUP FINAL? Lloyd finished her national team career with two Olympic gold medals, two FIFA World Cups, and one out-of-body performance that will never be forgotten. Lalas had cool hair and all, but Lloyd’s accomplishments are in a league of their own.
Honorable Mention: Alexi Lalas, Ray Rice, Paul Robeson
46. Otto Graham (Football)
Representing: Northwestern
If Rutgers must catch a stray, Northwestern isn’t exempt either. Put it this way—I had to go back to the 1940’s to find the school’s most iconic athlete. Otto Graham, a two-time All-American quarterback, was critical in sustaining the Northwestern football program during World War II while juggling military commitments himself. Several key players joined the war effort in 1942, sinking the team’s chances that season. With a complete roster, Northwestern finished 11th and 9th in the AP polls in 1941 and 1943.
In terms of professional success, Graham has an argument for being the most accomplished player on this entire list. In his 10-year career with the Cleveland Browns, he reached the league championship game every year, winning 7 titles and capturing 5 MVP awards. He also won a professional basketball title with the Rochester Royals before they joined the NBA. Graham’s contributions were critical in paving the way for the sport we love today.
Honorable Mention: Pat Fitzgerald, Joe Girardi
45. Wes Unseld (Basketball)
Representing: Louisville
Wes Unseld, a true hometown hero, was born and raised in Louisville before starring for the Louisville Cardinals. Unseld became a two-time All-American and graduated as the school’s all-time leading scorer, despite being restricted to playing on the school’s freshman team his first season. Considering who he was as a player, I’m assuming he would have produced for the “varsity” squad if given the chance.
Unseld made an immediate impact in the NBA, winning the MVP award in his rookie season. He led the Washington Bullets to the franchise’s only NBA title in 1978. Unseld was the grandfather of the outlet pass, a skill later perfected by Kevin Love, whose father played with Unseld on the Baltimore Bullets (before the franchise moved to Washington). Remarkably, Kevin Love’s middle name is Wesley, honoring the legend who inspired his game.
Honorable Mention: Lamar Jackson, Johnny Unitas, Darrell Griffith
44. Calvin Johnson (Football)
Representing: Georgia Tech
I mentioned in the intro last week that my dad went to Georgia Tech, so I grew up rooting for the Yellow Jackets during Calvin Johnson’s heyday. I recall a friend, who was a Virginia Tech fan, crying as Johnson scored a touchdown every time he touched the ball against them. ESPN’s Sports Science segment once illustrated how Johnson’s catch radius could cover an entire two-car garage door. He earned the nickname “Megatron”, and it wasn’t even corny. His combination of size and speed was unparalleled.
Johnson is enshrined in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, yet it feels like he could have achieved even more. He retired after nine NFL seasons, while many still considered him to be in his prime. One of his saddest moments was his reaction to Aaron Rodgers’ Hail Mary that beat the Lions—perhaps the moment he decided to hang it up. Regardless of what could have been, what we got was exceptional.
Honorable Mention: Nomar Garciaparra, Stephon Marbury, Mark Price
43. Len Bias (Basketball)
Representing: Maryland
Speaking of what could have been—the Len Bias story is one of sports’ greatest tragedies. A superstar at Maryland, Bias won back-to-back ACC Player of the Year awards and was the 2nd overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft. Two days later, gone from this world, the result of a cocaine overdose. It’s impossible to grasp why such devastating events can occur. He should have been around my parent’s age today, coasting off what would have been an extraordinary NBA career.
While it offers little consolation, I’m glad Bias’ name is memorialized in history, even under dark circumstances. His immense talent and poignant story are a reminder of the privilege we have in watching the greats while we have the chance.
Honorable Mention: Randy White, Boomer Esiason, Juan Dixon
42. Joe Thomas (Football)
Representing: Wisconsin
Isn’t it beautiful when a player and program are a perfect match? Modern Wisconsin football is known for its rugged, yet effective style. There’s no better representation of this style than offensive lineman from the Midwest grinding out victories in gritty 16-13 battles. And there’s been no better flag-bearer of this ethos than Joe Thomas.
Thomas was pivotal to the Wisconsin program’s resurgence in the mid-2000’s, leading the team to consecutive double-digit win seasons and a 5th place final ranking in 2006. In the NFL, his durability was unmatched. You could have taken his family hostage, and he would pancake block someone, run off the field to rescue them, and somehow line back up for the next play. Thomas set the record for consecutive snaps played at 10,363—remarkable consistency for a physically demanding position.
He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023, his first time on the ballot.
Honorable Mention: J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt, Ron Dayne
41. Dave Winfield (Baseball)
Representing: Minnesota
One surprising discovery in building these rankings was learning that the Minnesota Golden Gophers, of all schools, have produced such a diverse group of amazing athletes. From MLB Hall of Famers Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor on the diamond, to basketball legend Kevin McHale, to “Miracle on Ice” icons Herb Brooks and Neal Broten. They even claim former WWE and UFC champion Brock Lesnar.
Choosing one representative from this eclectic group wasn’t easy, but Dave Winfield stands above the rest. He excelled as a basketball player in college, helping Minnesota reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history in 1972. Of course, baseball was his true calling. Winfield led Minnesota to the 1973 College World Series, where he was named MVP of the tournament as a pitcher, before embarking on a Hall of Fame MLB career as an outfielder.
Winfield was such an incredible athlete that he was drafted by four different teams across three sports in 1973—the San Diego Padres in baseball, the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and Utah Stars (ABA) in basketball, and even the Minnesota Vikings, despite never playing a snap of college football.
Honorable Mention: Brock Lesnar, Bronko Nagurski, Kevin McHale
40. Adrian Peterson (Football)
Representing: Oklahoma
Oklahoma has produced seven Heisman Trophy winners, including three running backs. Adrian Peterson isn’t one of them, but he’s the program’s greatest product. His freshman season was mythical, nearly rushing for 2,000 yards in 13 games, finishing second in Heisman voting behind Matt Leinart. Injuries hampered Peterson’s final two college seasons, yet he still surpassed 1,000 rushing yards each year, despite playing only 7 games as a junior. He graduated as the school’s all-time leading rusher in only three seasons.
In the NFL, injuries couldn’t hold Peterson back. His 2012 MVP season made him immortal, nearly breaking the single-season rushing record and carrying the Christian Ponder-led Vikings to the playoffs. Throughout his career, Peterson had many “almosts”—almost winning the Heisman, almost winning a national championship (sort of) and Super Bowl, almost breaking a few records. The near misses might have kept him from the running back throne, but he unquestionably has a seat at the table.
Honorable Mention: Lee Roy Selmon, Baker Mayfield, Brian Bosworth
39. Jack Ham (Football)
Representing: Penn State
Many of the great defensive football players of the 1960s and ‘70s had these intimidating names that seemed to foreshadow their success—Jack Youngblood, Dick Butkus, “Mean” Joe Greene, “Deacon” Jones. Jack…Ham? No menacing nickname? No serial killer surname? Just a beast of a football player. We all know a “Jack Ham” in our lives. Maybe not an NCAA All-American, 4-time Super Bowl Champion, and 8-time All-Pro, but someone who’s consistently great at what they do, in the most straight-down-the-fairway style possible.
This isn’t to downplay Ham’s explosiveness on the field. I wasn’t there to see it firsthand, but I’ve noticed that Ham doesn’t get the same level of discourse as some of his contemporaries. The more I researched him, the more I created this narrative in my head that all he cared about was winning, not the spotlight. Whether that’s true or not, he did an exceptional job at the winning part.
Honorable Mention: Franco Harris, Lenny Moore, LaVar Arrington
38. Bob Griese (Football)
Representing: Purdue
I know, I know—you expected Drew Brees here, but let me explain why it’s Bob Griese instead. If you’ve played sports, at some point you probably spent time waiting for an older group of players to age out, providing you the chance to shine. Once you got there, you could have all the success in the world, but in the eyes of those who came before, you remained the little brother in the arrangement.
When it comes to Purdue football, Griese came first, and in my imaginary scenario where the two alumni speak all the time, he never lets Brees forget it. Griese also has one major trump card— he won the Rose Bowl in 1966, something Brees couldn’t do in 2000. Like Brees, Griese was highly successful in the NFL, quarterbacking the undefeated 1972 Dolphins, a team that’s celebrated every year when the last unbeaten squad takes a loss. He even led them to another Super Bowl victory the following year, doubling Brees’ championship count.
While Brees ranks higher on all-time QB lists, when it comes to representing Purdue, Griese holds the torch until someone eclipses his accomplishes by a substantial margin. That’s just how it goes.
Honorable Mention: Drew Brees, Len Dawson (The 3rd Hall of Fame QB to play at Purdue!!), Rod Woodson
37. Michael Vick (Football)
Representing: Virginia Tech
As a Virginia Tech alum, I can tell you that debates about the best athlete in school history last about three seconds—maybe five if someone briefly mentions Bruce Smith before conceding. We’re talking about Michael Vick here. Frank Beamer had already built a successful program, but Vick made it cool, putting Virginia Tech on the national map for years to come. Here’s a summary of his college career in one clip:
The way he jukes the defender at the end and spins, instead of just plowing straight into the end-zone—you can’t teach that swag. Vick was a showman through and through. Playing as Vick in Madden was worse than cheating. His NFL career had otherworldly flashes, but the dog-fighting scandal will always cast a shadow. For all its highs and lows, the Vick experience was unforgettable.
Honorable Mention: Bruce Smith, DeAngelo Hall, Kam Chancellor
36. Doug Flutie (Football)
Representing: Boston College
Doug Flutie’s 1984 college football season was so iconic that it boosted Boston College’s admissions. The Hail Mary against Miami is like a religious experience for sports fans. If you were born in the ‘90s, you were raised on that clip. The craziest part about Flutie’s trajectory is that no one saw it coming. Prior to his Heisman-winning senior season, he’d thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in his career.
Doubts about his size persisted when he turned pro. He started in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals, who were owned by a guy named Donald Trump. Flutie moved to the NFL but didn’t stick as a full-time starter. His pro career took off in the Canadian Football League, winning six MVP awards and three Grey Cup titles. Returning to the NFL in 1998, he got his chance as a starter and earned a Pro Bowl spot and the Comeback Player of the Year award.
Flutie’s journey was anything but linear, exemplifying the ultimate underdog story.
Honorable Mention: Luke Kuechly, Matt Ryan, Johnny Gaudreau
35. Ralph Sampson (Basketball)
Representing: Virginia
Only two players in college basketball history have won three Naismith Player of the Year awards: Bill Walton and Ralph Sampson. Before Sampson’s arrival, Virginia men’s basketball had made only one NCAA tournament appearance in program history. During his time there, they reached the tournament in each of his final three years, including their first Final Four in 1981. Today, Virginia is regarded as one of college basketball’s great programs, with Sampson their greatest player.
Expectations were sky-high when Sampson entered the NBA as the first overall pick in 1983. Had he obtained another year of college eligibility, he may have been the top pick in the 1984 draft, ahead of even Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan. Instead, he would team up with Olajuwon on the Houston Rockets, nearly winning a championship together in 1986. Sampson made the All-Star team in each of his first four seasons, but persistent injuries nagged his career, preventing him from fully realizing his potential.
Honorable Mention: Dawn Staley, Ronde Barber, Ryan Zimmerman
34. Sammy Baugh (Football)
Representing: TCU
I previously mocked Northwestern for needing to go back to the 1940s to find their best athlete. For TCU, I had to dig even further, but it felt different. TCU football is no joke—they played in the CFP national championship game two years ago, results of the game aside. LaDainian Tomlinson, who once starred for TCU, was great enough to snatch the “L.T.” nickname from the greatest defensive player ever. But despite playing in the Petr Cech-headgear era, there’s no better representative for TCU football than Sammy Baugh.
In 1935, Baugh led TCU to its first national championship in any sport, winning a 3-2 barnburner against LSU in the Sugar Bowl. Known as “Slinging Sammy”, he excelled in both football and baseball at school. He dominated in the NFL as well, consistently leading the league in passing stats and winning two championships with Washington. Since 1959, the Sammy Baugh Trophy has been awarded to college football’s top passer, cementing his legacy as a pioneer of the sport.
Honorable Mention: LaDainian Tomlinson, Bob Lilly, Davey O’Brien
33. Anthony Davis (Basketball)
Representing: Kentucky
Remember when Anthony Davis went to Kentucky, one of the greatest college basketball programs in history, and instantly became their most iconic player in a single season? Think Thanos with all the Infinity Stones—that was AD at Kentucky in the 2011-2012 season. He won the NCAA championship, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, and earned National Player of the Year honors. He also swept the SEC Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year awards. Averaging a comical 4.7 blocks per game, Davis capped off his college career by blocking six shots in Kentucky’s championship win over Kansas.
In hindsight, Davis’ overwhelming college dominance has been both a blessing and a curse. Since teaming up with Lebron James in Los Angeles, he’s been more heavily scapegoated for the Lakers’ failures than celebrated for helping them capture the 2020 NBA title*. Such is the impossible standard one is held to when there’s a season like 2012 on their resume.
Honorable Mention: Dan Issel, Karl Anthony-Towns, Antoine Walker
Statistics courtesy of Stathead unless otherwise noted