The Legend of the Texas Longhorns Earl Campbell defeated Georgia’s Herschel Walker, the Florida Gators’ Tim Tebow, and Ohio State’s Archie Griffin to be crowned the greatest college football player of all time.

Earl Campbell is a name that resonates not only within the state of Texas but across the entire landscape of college football. His legacy, built during his time at the University of Texas, has transcended generations, making him one of the most iconic players in the history of the sport. In a historic and dramatic voting process, Campbell’s supremacy on the football field was solidified when he triumphed over three other football legends—Herschel Walker of Georgia, Tim Tebow of Florida, and Archie Griffin of Ohio State—to be crowned the greatest college football player of all time.

In this article, we delve into the life and career of Earl Campbell, exploring how his dominance at Texas earned him this legendary title. We also reflect on the incredible achievements of his contemporaries and how their own unique legacies compare with Campbell’s. The story of how Campbell surpassed such football titans is not just a tale of numbers, but a testament to the indomitable spirit and heart that defines a true champion.

Earl Campbell’s rise to prominence began in the small town of Tyler, Texas, where he was born on March 29, 1955. Growing up in a working-class family, Campbell learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and resilience from an early age. His father, a strict disciplinarian, instilled in him the notion that success could only be achieved through dedication and grit. These principles would later be embodied in Campbell’s play style, which was characterized by brutal, relentless runs that often left defenders questioning their decision to get in his way.

Campbell’s high school career in Tyler was where he first garnered attention as a football prodigy. His remarkable ability to break tackles, accelerate past defenders, and power through obstacles made him a standout in the East Texas area. By the time Campbell graduated, he had earned All-State honors, and it was clear that a promising future awaited him at the collegiate level.

The University of Texas, one of the most storied programs in college football, quickly recognized Campbell’s potential. He joined the Longhorns in 1974, where he would make an immediate impact. Under the guidance of legendary coach Darrell Royal, Campbell began his college career as a force to be reckoned with. However, it wasn’t until his junior year that he truly exploded onto the national stage.

Earl Campbell’s college career was defined by his unmatched combination of size, strength, speed, and determination. At 6 feet tall and weighing around 230 pounds, he was a bruising running back, capable of running through defenders and dragging them along for the ride. His low center of gravity made him nearly impossible to stop once he gained momentum, and he ran with a kind of intensity that left defenders shaken in his wake.

In 1977, Campbell had the most prolific season of his career, rushing for a staggering 1,744 yards and 19 touchdowns. He led Texas to the Southwest Conference title, and his remarkable performances throughout the season earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best player. He became a symbol of Texas football, a player whose name was synonymous with raw power and undeniable talent.

But it wasn’t just Campbell’s individual accolades that made him great; it was his ability to elevate the performance of his teammates. As the focal point of the Texas offense, Campbell commanded the attention of opposing defenses, which opened up opportunities for his teammates. He played in a system where his success hinged not only on his own brilliance but on the cohesion and execution of his entire team. This is one of the qualities that would distinguish Campbell from other great players in college football history.

Campbell’s leadership and dominance were evident on the field, and his performances in big games solidified his status as one of the best ever. One such example was the 1978 Cotton Bowl, where he rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns to help Texas defeat the highly ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. That victory, alongside his incredible individual efforts, cemented Campbell’s legacy in the annals of college football.

As great as Earl Campbell was, the competition for the title of greatest college football player of all time was fierce, and one of the players he would face in this historic debate was Herschel Walker of the University of Georgia. Walker, like Campbell, was an unstoppable force on the field, and his career achievements are a testament to his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Walker arrived at Georgia in 1980 and immediately made an impact, showcasing his athleticism, speed, and power. His combination of size (he stood 6 feet 1 inch and weighed 225 pounds) and speed was unparalleled in college football at the time. Walker’s most notable achievement came in 1980, when he led the Bulldogs to a national championship, rushing for 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was the centerpiece of a Georgia offense that dominated throughout the 1980s.

By the time he left college, Walker had amassed an incredible 5,259 career rushing yards and 49 touchdowns. His impressive numbers were matched only by his ability to dominate in the biggest moments. His legendary performance in the 1982 Sugar Bowl, where he rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns against an elite Notre Dame defense, is still remembered as one of the greatest individual performances in college football history.

Walker’s dominance during his college years earned him the 1982 Heisman Trophy and a reputation as one of the most unstoppable forces in college football. Despite his achievements, however, he would fall short in the ultimate battle for the title of greatest college football player.

Another contender in this legendary debate was Tim Tebow, the quarterback who helped redefine the dual-threat quarterback position during his time at the University of Florida. Tebow, known for his extraordinary leadership and ability to dominate both through the air and on the ground, was one of the most decorated players in the history of college football.

Tebow’s college career at Florida was marked by unparalleled success. He led the Gators to two national championships (2006 and 2008) and won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 after a season in which he threw for 3,286 yards and 32 touchdowns while also rushing for 895 yards and 23 touchdowns. His unique combination of arm strength, vision, and physicality made him one of the most dynamic players the sport had ever seen.

Tebow’s leadership was often cited as one of his defining traits. He carried a Gators team that was built on defense and special teams, and his ability to perform in clutch situations was a hallmark of his career. The famous “Tebow speech,” delivered after a devastating loss to Ole Miss in 2008, demonstrated his emotional maturity and commitment to his teammates, inspiring the Gators to finish the season with an undefeated record and another national title.

Despite his many accomplishments, Tebow’s lack of individual awards outside the Heisman, particularly his inability to dominate the way Campbell had, made it difficult for him to secure the title of greatest college football player of all time.The final contender in the battle for the title of greatest college football player was Archie Griffin, the only player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy twice (1974 and 1975). Griffin was a legendary running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and his remarkable consistency over his four years in Columbus set him apart from many of his peers.

Griffin’s collegiate career was defined by his ability to consistently perform at the highest level. He rushed for over 2,800 yards during his career and finished with 26 touchdowns. His best season came in 1975 when he rushed for 1,695 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning his second Heisman Trophy. Griffin’s steady brilliance and work ethic helped Ohio State become one of the dominant programs in college football during the 1970s, and his two Heisman wins remain a testament to his greatness.

However, despite his two Heisman trophies, Griffin’s inability to lead Ohio State to a national championship and the fact that his impact was not as physically imposing as Campbell’s ultimately prevented him from securing the top spot in the greatest college football player debate.

In the end, Earl Campbell’s combination of raw power, vision, and leadership on the field made him the ultimate winner in the race for the greatest college football player of all time. His dominance, not only statistically but also in big moments, set him apart from his contemporaries. He embodied everything that made college football great—toughness, grit, and a will to win.

Campbell’s legacy has not only lived on in the record books but also in the hearts of Texas Longhorns fans and college football enthusiasts alike. His incredible achievements and the way he changed the game for running backs continue to inspire players today. While Herschel Walker, Tim Tebow, and Archie Griffin each made their marks on the college football landscape, Earl Campbell’s unparalleled combination of strength, speed, and leadership earned him the title of the greatest college football player of all time.

Earl Campbell’s legend will continue to resonate for generations to come, and his place in college football history is forever secured.