The Top Dogs of the Power Five (Part Three)
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu Adieu, adieu, to yieu and yieu and yieu.
To honor the now-defunct Power Five conferences, I began ranking the most influential athletes from all 64 Power Five schools this month. Today, I’m highlighting 16 more legends, ranging from congressional candidates to literal iced tea brands. Check out Part One and Part Two if you missed them. I’m releasing the final Part Four this Friday before the Week 1 games!
32. A’ja Wilson (Basketball)
Representing: South Carolina
A’ja Wilson is well on her way to making a case as the greatest women’s basketball player of all time. Last week, I covered Anthony Davis and the impossible expectations he’s faced in the NBA. A’ja Wilson is like if Davis met those absurd expectations. At South Carolina, she captured every individual accolade possible, led the Gamecocks to their first national title in women’s basketball, and became the cornerstone of what’s now become the sport’s most dominant program.
Only 28, Wilson could retire today as an all-time WNBA great. She’s already won two WNBA titles, two MVPs, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Wilson is averaging 26.6 points per game this season, eclipsing Diana Taurasi’s 2006 record by more than a point. If Wilson wins her third MVP, she’ll become only the fourth woman in history to do so. No woman has won four. When I see headlines about Wilson finding motivation from a single 4th-place MVP vote last season, I can’t help but smile. She understands the stakes.
Honorable Mention: Jadeveon Clowney, Alex English, George Rogers
31. Herschel Walker (Football)
Representing: Georgia
Herschel Walker was the epitome of dominance at the running back position during his time at Georgia. He started his career in 1980 by leading the Bulldogs to their first national championship since 1942, and finished by winning the Heisman in 1982. Over three seasons, Walker was a First-team All-American each year and reached the pinnacle of success from both an individual and team perspective. Not bad.
His professional career took an unconventional route. In the 1980s, players couldn’t enter the NFL before completing their senior season, so Walker left school and joined the USFL instead. He thrived with the New Jersey Generals, winning the 1985 USFL MVP. When the league folded, Walker joined the Dallas Cowboys, sharing the backfield with fellow Heisman winner Tony Dorsett. Walker excelled anyways, earning All-Pro honors twice. Ironically, his tenure in Dallas is most remembered for the massive draft haul the Cowboys received after trading him to the Vikings, which laid the foundation for the franchise’s dominance in the 90s.
Walker re-entered the public eye by running in Georgia’s Senate election in 2022—a campaign that wasn’t quite as successful as his playing days.
Honorable Mention: Fran Tarkenton, Champ Bailey, Dominique Wilkins
30. Ben Askren (Wrestling/Mixed Martial Arts)
Representing: Missouri
…I know what you’re thinking when you saw this name, but let’s focus on his college career at Missouri. Yes, I remember, but can we move on? Ok fine.
Wait, you weren’t talking about that, were you. I was really hoping you hadn’t seen the other thing. The…well, you know:
There you go. Happy now?
I know it’s hard to believe, but that man you see getting annihilated in those videos was once a phenomenal college wrestler. He competed at Missouri for four years, reaching the national finals every year and winning two national championships. He was teammates with Tyron Woodley and Michael Chandler, who both became prominent UFC fighters—what a trio that must have been.
After college, Askren competed in the 2008 Olympics before transitioning to MMA, where he became the Bellator and ONE Welterweight champion. Whatever dignity he’s lost since joining the UFC doesn’t take away from his achievements prior.
Honorable Mention: Kellen Winslow, Max Scherzer, Roger Wehrli
29. Dan Gable (Wrestling)
Representing: Iowa State
Dan Gable’s relationship with Iowa State must be complex. As a Cyclone, he posted a legendary 117-1 record, with his sole loss coming in the NCAA finals his senior year. Yet, he made an even greater impact for the Cyclone’s arch-rivals, coaching the Iowa wrestling program to 15 national titles over two decades.
While Iowa State fans may have mixed feelings towards him, there’s no denying he’s their most accomplished athletic figure. Gable’s career peaked with a dominant gold medal win in freestyle wrestling at the 1972 Olympics. There’s a museum in Iowa dedicated to his achievements that’s since been acquired by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. If that doesn’t capture Gable’s monumental influence on the sport, nothing else will.
Honorable Mention: Brock Purdy, Troy Davis, Matt Blair
28. Steve Prefontaine (Track & Field)
Representing: Oregon
The University of Oregon’s modern athletic culture is intimately tied to its track & field program. It started with Phil Knight, who graduated from the program in 1959, and went on to create a company you may have heard of called Nike. Nike’s first signature product was the modern running shoe, which Knight developed in partnership with his former coach Bill Bowerman. When the shoes hit the market, it was Oregon cross-country legend Steve Prefontaine who helped them gain prominence with his endorsement.
A 7-time national champion at Oregon, Prefontaine set every American outdoor track record from 2,000 to 10,000 meters in the 1970s. Despite his tragic death in 1975 at age 24, his legacy as a trailblazer in long-distance running has carried on. Oregon’s track program has since won 32 national championships, and Nike has become a multibillion-dollar brand ubiquitous with sports and competition. Regardless of the sport, when the Oregon Ducks come to play, you can expect their athletes to be decked out in the freshest gear possible. Steve Prefontaine, forever leading from the front, was the engine that started the trend.
Honorable Mention: Sabrina Ionescu, Justin Herbert, Marcus Mariota
27. Patrick Mahomes (Football)
Representing: Texas Tech
For years, Texas Tech quarterbacks were viewed as products of the Air Raid system rather than standout talents. There have been 18 instances of a college quarterback throwing for 5,000 or more yards in a season—five of those were by Texas Tech quarterbacks. That’s why Patrick Mahomes could throw for over 5,000 yards and 53 touchdowns in his junior season yet still face skepticism entering the NFL.
Mahomes proved his doubters wrong, becoming an instant NFL icon by leading the Kansas City Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories, all before turning 29. His success forces us to rethink his college career. Maybe the Red Raiders’ lack of success in the win’s column wasn’t on him, but rather Kliff Kingsbury’s inability to build a decent defense. In hindsight, Mahomes was the glue holding the system together, not the other way around.
Honorable Mention: Sheryl Swoopes, Zach Thomas, Michael Crabtree
26. Aaron Rodgers (Football)
Representing: California
It’s remarkable that Aaron Rodgers, one of the most gifted quarterbacks in football history, couldn’t even land a D-1 scholarship coming out of high school. After a year at Butte Community College, he transferred to California, where he demonstrated the skills that would define his career— accuracy, efficiency, a knack for avoiding turnovers, and the occasional supernatural flair. Rodgers broke out nationally in his junior season, nearly leading Cal to a national championship with a 10-1 regular season record. Their lone loss was to eventual BCS champion USC, a game where Rodgers set an NCAA record by completing 23 consecutive passes. Despite a puzzling slip to the 24th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Rodgers got the last laugh, winning four MVPs and a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, solidifying his place amongst the all-time greats.
Honorable Mention: Alex Morgan, Jason Kidd, Marshawn Lynch
25. Barry Bonds (Baseball)
Representing: Arizona State
Maybe I’m biased, having grown up in San Francisco during his heyday, but Barry Bonds is the baseball GOAT in my eyes. While it could be a trick of my youthful memory, it feels like he hit a home run every time I saw him play live. The fact that this is even somewhat plausible is a testament to his dominance.
It shouldn’t shock anyone to learn that Bonds was also a beast at Arizona State. As a sophomore, he set a College World Series record with seven consecutive hits and made the All-American team as a junior. His on-field excellence foreshadowed his incredible MLB career, but off-field tensions with college teammates and coaches hinted at the controversies that would later define his legacy and eventual exclusion from the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Honorable Mention: Reggie Jackson, Phil Mickelson, Pat Tillman
24. Ray Lewis (Football)
Representing: Miami (FL)
From the 1980s through the early 2000s, the Miami Hurricanes were a powerhouse in college football, winning four national championships. Yet, Ray Lewis, who wasn’t a part of any of those title teams, still stands as the program’s most iconic athlete. Lewis played three seasons at Miami, starting full-time in only two, but his impact was what it always was—dominant, intimidating, undeniable. He finished his career as a first-team All-American and runner-up for the Butkus Award. He lost to a guy named Kevin Hardy from Illinois, who also went 24 picks ahead of Lewis in the 1996 NFL Draft. We call that 0/2, my friends.
When I think of his NFL career, I think of two things. First is that pregame entrance—emerging through a tunnel smokescreen, unleashing a primal scream, capped off by his signature dance. It often felt like the game was over before it started.
And second:
Honorable Mention: Michael Irvin, Ed Reed, Warren Sapp
23. Dan Marino (Football)
Representing: Pittsburgh
Dan Marino’s college career at Pittsburgh had its ups and downs—his senior season was a low point, throwing 6 more interceptions than touchdowns. However, what he did well, what he always did well, despite what all you “Ring Culture” dorks may think, was win football games. Pitt went 11-1 in his first three seasons, finishing 6th, 2nd and 2nd in the final polls. His peak came in 1981, earning First-team All-American honors and leading Pitt to a Sugar Bowl victory over a heavily favored Georgia team, throwing the game-winning touchdown in the final minute. Even in his worst season, Pitt still finished 9-3 and ranked in the top 10.
Marino’s college success translated into a stellar NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, where he commandeered a high-powered passing offense that was decades ahead of its time. Given his demonstrable winning pedigree, it’s ironic that Marino never won a championship at either level. I suppose every generation of great athletes must have a few snakebitten ones.
Honorable Mention: Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, Larry Fitzgerald
22. Shaquille O’Neal (Basketball)
Representing: LSU
“David I think this should have been a football pl-“
“No seriously LSU basketball has never won anyth-“
All due respect to LSU’s football legends, none left a mark like the Big Diesel. Often remembered for his NBA dominance, let’s take a moment to acknowledge Shaquille O’Neal’s illustrious LSU career. Shaq was a two-time First-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year, sharing the 1991 national player of the year honors with Larry Johnson. All he lacked was the signature NCAA Tournament run, despite LSU making an appearance in all four of his seasons.
In the NBA, Shaq learned to translate his individual dominance into winning again, again, and again. While there are little things you can pick apart about his resume—his work ethic, his free throw shooting—few players, if any, have ever matched his peak performance.
Honorable mention: Pete Maravich, Joe Burrow, Tyrann Mathieu
21. Arnold Palmer (Golf)
Representing: Wake Forest
I should preface this section by admitting my confusion with golf’s NCAA championship system, particularly in its early form. Wake Forest’s website lists Arnold Palmer as an individual NCAA champion in 1949 and 1950, while the NCAA’s site credits two other players as the champions for those year. Further research revealed that in 1949 and 1950, the NCAA awarded both an “individual champion” and a “tournament medalist”, with Palmer earning the latter each time.
Ambiguity aside, Palmer’s inclusion here is warranted. Tim Duncan and Chris Paul, who both played basketball at Wake Forest, would be worthy representatives at many schools—neither have an iced tea brand named after them. Palmer’s seven major wins are impressive, but his popularity, which earned him the nickname “The King” and a widely recognized drink, makes his case irresistible.
Honorable Mention: Tim Duncan, Chris Paul, Brian Piccolo
20. Dick Butkus (Football)
Representing: Illinois
Everything I said about Ray Lewis earlier could be applied to Dick Butkus in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but without the need for a dramatic entrance. He’d just look at you like this:
If a man in any walk of life looks at me like that, I’m reconsidering my life choices. If he’s 6’3” and 245 pounds, I’m calling my family and telling them I love them. Butkus’ fearsome reputation started at Illinois, where he was a two-time Consensus All-American, finished third in the Heisman voting, and led the Illini to a Rose Bowl victory in 1963, a feat the program hasn’t accomplished since.
His NFL days are filled with legendary moments and anecdotes. Former Packers running back MacArthur Lane likened Butkus to a grizzly bear. As teammate Doug Buffone put it, "To play this game -- and I've always said this -- you have to have a Neanderthal gene. Butkus had two."
19. Barry Sanders (Football)
Representing: Oklahoma State
Born in 1993, I’m assuming Barry Sanders’ 1988 Heisman season is fake. Running for 2,850 yards and 42 touchdowns in 12 games shouldn’t be possible. It remains the record for both rushing yards and touchdowns in a season, even though college football seasons grow longer and longer by the year. Sanders, initially a backup behind future Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas, had one full season to make his mark. His college career was like a comet streaking through an empty night sky—the most majestic thing you’ve ever seen, if only for a moment.
The moment lasted longer in the NFL—10 seasons, 10 All-Pro appearances, the 1997 MVP—but it too ended abruptly. Sanders retired at 31, still in his prime, just shy of the all-time rushing record. Records must seem obsolete when you’ve broken space and time. Such is the difference between greatness and transcendence.
Honorable Mention: Thurman Thomas, Dez Bryant
18. Wilt Chamberlain (Basketball)
Representing: Kansas
We can all agree on one thing—the NCAA is stupid. Perhaps their dumbest moment of all was prohibiting true freshman from playing varsity sports until 1972, meaning Wilt Chamberlain spent his first season at Kansas on the freshman team. When he dominated Kansas’ “varsity” squad in a scrimmage, the NCAA still wasn’t compelled to let their best players compete at the highest level.
Once he got the call up, Wilt’s college career was as hilarious as you’d expect. His sheer size and athleticism led to numerous rule changes, including altering free throw rules to prevent him from dunking free throws. In his varsity debut, he scored 52 points and 31 rebounds. He lost the 1957 NCAA title game in triple overtime to UNC. Somehow, the final score was 54-53.
The NBA couldn’t contain Wilt either. Heck, Wilt couldn’t contain himself. Stories about him blend between reality and fiction, as if he were straight out of a folk tale, but he was real. And he was larger than life.
Honorable Mention: Gale Sayers, Paul Pierce, Danny Manning
17. Peyton Manning (Football)
Representing: Tennessee
When I think of ideal quarterback, Peyton Manning is the prototype. While others have thrown harder, run faster, or won more championships, no one has exuded total command of an offense like Peyton. He was the system at every stop. At Tennessee, the system resulted in a 39-6 record and the school’s all-time passing record. In the NFL, he transformed a 3-13 Colts team into a 13-3 playoff contender in two seasons. Then he went to Denver, elevating a mediocre Broncos team to the top seed and a Super Bowl appearance in two seasons, although we can leave out the details of said appearance.
Without Peyton, the Manning family isn’t a dynasty, it’s a cool father-son tidbit about Archie and Eli that wins a round of bar trivia. Peyton’s the presence that elevates the family legacy. He has, after all, always been the system.
Honorable Mention: Candace Parker, Reggie White
Statistics courtesy of Stathead unless otherwise noted