According to an ESPN report, Oklahoma Sooners great Billy Sims has been voted the greatest college football player of all time, surpassing Georgia’s Herschel Walker, Ohio’s Archie Griffin, and Texas’ Earl Campbell.

In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, greatness is often debated but rarely settled. That changed this week when ESPN released the results of a landmark nationwide poll that named Oklahoma Sooners legend Billy Sims as the greatest college football player of all time. Surpassing a pantheon of gridiron gods that included Georgia’s Herschel Walker, Ohio State’s Archie Griffin, and Texas’ Earl Campbell, Sims’ crowning as the GOAT stunned some but validated what generations of Sooners fans have believed for decades.

This recognition was no ceremonial tip of the hat to nostalgia. ESPN’s poll included votes from thousands of fans, players, coaches, and analysts, culminating in a resounding affirmation of a career that was electric, transformative, and, as many argue, underappreciated on the national scale.

Born in St. Louis but raised in Hooks, Texas, Billy Sims was a household name before he ever suited up for Oklahoma. His high school feats were so legendary—7,738 rushing yards and 138 touchdowns—that the Sooners knew they had secured a generational talent.

Yet, his college career didn’t begin with instant dominance. Injuries plagued Sims during his freshman and sophomore seasons, limiting his contributions and raising doubts about his long-term durability. But in 1978, everything changed. Sims not only returned to form—he transcended it.

That season, Sims rushed for 1,762 yards and 20 touchdowns, winning the Heisman Trophy and rewriting the expectations for what a college running back could be. He followed it up with another dominant campaign in 1979, finishing second in Heisman voting behind USC’s Charles White.

Over his career, Sims racked up 4,118 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns, while averaging an astounding 6.6 yards per carry. His explosiveness, balance, and field vision were unmatched. He was more than a statistical marvel—he was an artist with the football.

At the heart of Sims’ greatness was a rare blend of athleticism and charisma. He wasn’t merely running past defenders; he was gliding. He had the grace of a ballet dancer and the power of a freight train, a juxtaposition that made every snap he played must-watch TV.

“He was the total package,” said Barry Switzer, Sims’ coach at Oklahoma. “He could change direction like nobody I’ve ever seen. But what people forget is how tough he was. He’d take the punishment and keep coming back for more.”

Indeed, toughness defined Sims’ story. After battling injuries early in his career, his resilience became a signature trait. His ability to perform under pressure and to rise in the biggest games sealed his place in the hearts of Sooner Nation and beyond.

His career at Oklahoma coincided with the program’s dominance in the late 1970s. Under Switzer, the Sooners were a national powerhouse, and Sims was their undisputed engine. Whether it was the Red River Rivalry or Big Eight showdowns, Sims delivered again and again.

Sims’ selection over college football deities like Herschel Walker, Archie Griffin, and Earl Campbell was no small feat.

Herschel Walker, the bulldozing back from Georgia, won the 1982 Heisman Trophy and led the Bulldogs to a national title. His brute force and north-south style terrorized SEC defenses for three seasons.

Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman winner in history, was the picture of consistency at Ohio State, with over 5,500 rushing yards to his name. His back-to-back Heismans in 1974 and 1975 set a standard never matched.

Earl Campbell, the Tyler Rose, was a one-man wrecking crew for Texas. His 1977 Heisman campaign was pure destruction—1,744 yards and 19 touchdowns in the rugged SWC.

Each man left a seismic impact on the game, and the debate between them has simmered for decades. But Sims’ election as No. 1 was a referendum on the totality of greatness: performance, dominance, versatility, and flair.

“There’s a difference between being a great back and being unforgettable,” said ESPN analyst Desmond Howard. “Billy Sims made you hold your breath every time he touched the ball.”

So why now? Why has Billy Sims, whose last college carry was in 1979, vaulted ahead of such decorated competition?

In part, this honor reflects a broader reassessment of Sims’ impact. For years, his relatively short peak (two primary seasons) and quieter NFL career overshadowed his college dominance in national discussions. But ESPN’s comprehensive poll aimed to reevaluate players in the context of their era, their impact on the game, and their individual brilliance.

With advanced metrics, historic footage restoration, and the rise of digital media, younger fans are getting a better glimpse into the players who laid the foundation for modern college football. Sims’ highlights—those high knees, lateral bursts, and somersault touchdowns—are gaining viral traction.

“Billy Sims was ahead of his time,” said Kirk Herbstreit. “You watch him today and he’d fit right into any spread or pro-style offense. He could do it all—run inside, catch the ball, block, break away. He was the prototype.”

The ESPN poll wasn’t conducted in a vacuum. A massive online and broadcast campaign encouraged fans to weigh in, making it one of the most interactive fan polls in sports history. Voting spanned several weeks and featured head-to-head matchups, highlight reel comparisons, and live debates.

Oklahoma fans rallied behind their hero with vigor, but the support extended beyond Norman. Former players, NFL stars, and coaches chimed in, many naming Sims as their personal GOAT.

Social media was ablaze as the final vote count was released. #BillySimsGOAT trended nationwide, and Oklahoma’s official football account posted a video tribute that racked up millions of views.

Sims himself, now 69 years old and still a fixture at Sooners events, was overcome with emotion when informed of the honor.

“I’ve always said I was just blessed to play this game, to wear that OU jersey,” Sims said in a televised interview. “To be remembered like this, to be honored in this way—it’s beyond words. I’m just thankful.”

Sims’ greatness wasn’t confined to the field. His personality—boisterous, funny, charismatic—made him a fan favorite long after his playing days. His signature “Boomer!” chant with fans and regular appearances on Oklahoma sidelines have kept his legacy alive for new generations.

After retiring from football, Sims became a successful businessman, launching Billy Sims BBQ, a regional restaurant chain with over 50 locations. His entrepreneurial success has only added to his legend in Oklahoma and beyond.

But perhaps the most lasting part of his legacy is the joy he brought to the game. Sims played football with a smile. Every touchdown was a celebration, every run an exclamation point.

“He played like a kid in a backyard game, and we loved him for it,” said former Oklahoma quarterback Thomas Lott. “He was special, and now the world knows it.”

Can a poll truly settle the greatest-of-all-time debate? Probably not forever. College football thrives on its regional passions and historical rivalries. Fans in Athens, Columbus, and Austin will rightly point to their own legends with pride.

But for now, Billy Sims stands atop the mountain, validated by a blend of fan support, statistical brilliance, and timeless highlights.

In an age where legacy is often tethered to viral fame or media narratives, Sims’ coronation is a refreshing reminder that greatness, even decades later, doesn’t fade. It endures.

For Oklahoma, Sims’ honor reinforces the program’s stature as one of college football’s all-time great dynasties. From Bud Wilkinson to Barry Switzer to Bob Stoops and Brent Venables, the Sooners have produced elite talent for generations.

But Sims remains singular in their lore—not just as a player, but as a symbol of a golden era. His dominance during the late ’70s helped solidify Oklahoma’s national brand and set the tone for generations to follow.

“It’s fitting,” said Switzer. “Billy wasn’t just the best player on the field. He was the heartbeat of our team, our university. Now the world knows what we always knew.”

In a sport where every region has its heroes, where every fanbase clings to its icon, Billy Sims’ rise to the top of ESPN’s all-time rankings is both a personal triumph and a broader statement. It speaks to the enduring power of talent, the value of reevaluation, and the magic that lives within college football history.

As the next generation of stars take the field, they do so in the shadow of giants. And now, at the very top, stands a man who made football joyful, powerful, and unforgettable—Billy Sims, the greatest college football player of all time.