ESPN REPORT: Peyton Manning of the Tennessee Vols has been chosen the best college football player of all time, beating out Herschel Walker of Georgia, Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators, and Archie Griffin of Ohio State.

In a stunning yet hotly debated decision, ESPN has crowned former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning as the greatest college football player of all time. The announcement sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, as Manning beat out a pantheon of legendary names — Georgia’s unstoppable running back Herschel Walker, Florida’s dynamic dual-threat quarterback Tim Tebow, and Ohio State’s two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin.

The decision, derived from a combination of fan voting, expert analysis, and statistical breakdowns, has reignited classic SEC rivalries, stirred passionate debates in sports bars and on social media, and placed a new spotlight on Manning’s remarkable college legacy.

Peyton Manning’s college career at the University of Tennessee from 1994 to 1997 was defined by poise, precision, and a cerebral approach to the quarterback position rarely seen at the collegiate level. While he never captured the Heisman Trophy — famously finishing second to Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997 — Manning left an indelible mark on Tennessee football and the broader SEC.

By the time he graduated, Manning had thrown for over 11,000 yards and 89 touchdowns. He set 42 NCAA, SEC, and school records. His senior season alone featured 3,819 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns, leading the Volunteers to an 11–2 record and an SEC Championship game appearance.

But what set Manning apart wasn’t just stats. It was his leadership, his command at the line of scrimmage, and the way he elevated an entire program. Under his direction, Tennessee rose to national prominence and became a perennial top-10 team.

“Peyton wasn’t just a quarterback. He was a coach on the field, a leader in the locker room, and the heartbeat of that Tennessee program,” said ESPN’s Rece Davis. “He revolutionized how college quarterbacks prepared and played the game.”

To understand the gravity of ESPN’s choice, one must consider the caliber of players Manning surpassed.

Herschel Walker, the bulldozing tailback from Georgia, was long considered the gold standard of college running backs. As a freshman in 1980, Walker led the Bulldogs to a national championship, rushing for 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns. Over three seasons, he amassed 5,259 yards and 49 touchdowns, winning the Heisman in 1982. His blend of power and speed redefined the running back position in the SEC.

Tim Tebow, a polarizing yet undeniably elite quarterback for the Florida Gators, brought raw emotion and physicality to the quarterback role. A two-time national champion and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow accounted for 145 total touchdowns during his career and was the face of Urban Meyer’s spread offense. His fiery leadership and red-zone dominance became iconic.

Archie Griffin, the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice (1974 and 1975), remains a symbol of consistency and excellence. He rushed for over 5,500 yards during his time at Ohio State and led the Buckeyes to four Big Ten titles and four Rose Bowl appearances. Griffin’s humility, productivity, and unmatched accolades made him a favorite among traditionalists.

The ESPN selection committee reportedly used a weighted system that incorporated individual statistics, career achievements, team success, leadership qualities, and the player’s long-term impact on college football culture.

While Manning didn’t win a national championship or a Heisman, the committee noted that his influence transcended trophies.

“Sometimes the Heisman isn’t enough,” said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “Manning changed the game. He brought NFL-level preparation to Saturdays. His presence raised Tennessee’s national profile and left a legacy of excellence and professionalism.”

Still, the backlash has been swift and fierce in certain corners of the football world.

Georgia fans have cried foul, arguing that Herschel Walker carried his team to a national title and boasted superior production in fewer games.

“Herschel didn’t just dominate — he intimidated,” said former Georgia linebacker and SEC Network contributor David Pollack. “You game-planned your entire defense around him. I’m not sure you could say the same about Peyton back then.”

Tim Tebow supporters point to his championship rings and signature moments — the jump pass, the comeback speeches, the raw emotion he brought to every huddle — as evidence he should have earned the top spot.

“Who else could inspire a team with tears and then truck a linebacker on 4th-and-1?” asked Finebaum Show regular caller “Gator Dave.” “Tebow is the heart and soul of college football in the 2000s.”

Meanwhile, Buckeye fans are incensed that Griffin — the only two-time Heisman winner in the sport’s storied history — was left off the top perch.

“Griffin was a machine,” said former Ohio State coach John Cooper. “Back in the day, he was as close to perfect as a running back could be. Two Heismans? That should be an automatic ticket to the top.”

What ESPN’s choice undeniably does is reintroduce the college football world to the brilliance of Peyton Manning’s legacy, too often overshadowed by his illustrious NFL career.

At Tennessee, Manning didn’t just play quarterback — he defined the position for an entire generation. He turned the Vols into a national brand and elevated the expectations for quarterback play in the SEC.

He also stayed all four years in an era when many elite players were quick to jump to the pros. That loyalty and determination further endeared him to the Volunteer faithful.

“Peyton could’ve gone pro after his junior year and been a top pick,” said longtime Tennessee fan and Knoxville native Jake McAllister. “But he stayed. He said he had unfinished business. That says everything you need to know about the guy.”

True to form, Peyton Manning responded to the ESPN news with humility and appreciation. In a recorded statement from his Omaha Productions office, he said:

“I’m honored and frankly a little surprised to be considered the greatest college football player of all time. I played with and against some of the best athletes and competitors the game has ever seen. Herschel, Tim, Archie — those guys are legends. I’m proud just to be mentioned in the same breath.”

He also paid tribute to his former Tennessee teammates and coaches.

“This isn’t an individual award,” Manning said. “Football is the ultimate team sport, and I was fortunate to play for a university that supported me every step of the way. I’ll always bleed orange.”

While the ESPN selection is not an official NCAA proclamation, it carries significant cultural weight given the network’s authority in college football coverage. It will likely become a new reference point for heated offseason arguments, talk show fodder, and future rankings.

“Every generation has its guy,” said ESPN’s Paul Finebaum. “For some, it’s Herschel. For others, Tebow. For the old guard, Griffin. But the Manning pick signals something else — a shift in how we evaluate greatness. It’s no longer just about trophies. It’s about influence, evolution, and the totality of what a player brought to the game.”

College football, after all, is as much about myths as it is about measurements. It’s about the players who defined eras, rallied fanbases, and left legacies etched into the Saturday skies.

Whether or not you agree with ESPN’s pick, there’s no denying that Peyton Manning’s impact on college football remains deeply resonant. He helped shape the modern quarterback prototype. He was a four-year leader, a model student-athlete, and the face of an elite Tennessee program.