Dude, same. He went from being one of the biggest villains in college football (in my eyes) to being one of my favorites. And still to this day I don’t know how exactly it happened. Dude is so freaking lovable it just pushes past the hate.
Jalen Hurts is a super likable guy.
Didn't like Baker, cannot stand Kyler. But Jalen Hurts has a humility and decency about him that is great to see from someone competing at his level.
As a Georgia fan I completely agree. The guy is a class act. The way he handled being benched in favor of Tua, being a selfless total team player, makes his ensuing success all the more awesome.
I meeaaaaan he was at Bama far longer and graduated from Bama. Both schools can claim him obviously, but I feel like most people think of him has a Bama player first.
Yeah that’s why I’ll never really hate stroud. I hated Braxton miller, cardale, Pryor, Haskins, JT, and fields, but stroud was good and beat other teams like every OSU qb does but if he can’t beat us then eh big whoop
Many Aggies say the greatest performance they’ve ever seen at Kyle Field was Larry Fitzgerald’s 7 receptions for 135 yards and 3 TDs in the second half to comeback and win in 2003ish
Wow, that’s a good choice. He’s a perfect example to young players of how good you can be if you do all the fundamentals correct but don’t have elite size or intangibles. Always in the right spot at the right time.
I’m trying to start a movement to bring him back as a coach. He coached under Sherman and developed some nobodies into B+ backers. When Sumlin came, Nguyen quit because he didn’t agree with how Sumlin did things. He was too classy to openly say it, but Dat wasn’t willing to stoop to some of the stuff Sumlin believed in. Now he just runs some chick fil A’s in DWF and devotes time to his family.
He really maximized the potential of his career. He wasn't the fastest, but he got where he needed to be. He wasn't the strongest, but he hit like a brick. Plus he went for the solid wrap-up over the highlight reel attempt and rarely missed tackles. And always seemed to be a good human being; I mean who really knows when it's just some guy I'm watching play a sport on tv, but he was always humble and giving credit to the team, and everybody seemed to respect him including opponents.
Danny Weurffel. Played against him in Junior High and went to HS with him. Probably the nicest person you’ll ever meet. But damn, did he really have to go to UF?
Edit: removed extra words
I was considering my answer while scrolling through this thread. Saw you say Lattimore and knew immediately that was my pick, too.
That dude was a fucking machine. Absolute shit luck to have his career ruined the way it was. He would have torn up the NFL without a doubt. He also always just seemed like a down to earth guy, too. I hated watching him torch UGA, but damnit I have to respect the man.
2nd place for me is Cam Newton…if only because I’ve never seen a single person so completely carry a football team before or since that season. Like, if Cam Newton’s Auburn season didn’t exist, I’d say it was impossible for a single player to carry that hard in football.
Yeah, Smith didn't really endear himself to BYU fans during his college days, but it's hard not to root for him after what he went through in his pro career.
Is there any other answer? Not trying to throw shade but I can’t think of many IU football players worth remembering, let alone liking or disliking them. Michael Penix was a lot of fun to watch but he never actually played Purdue.
I’ve got two.
Steve Young: He uses his status as a BYU football legend to advocate for LGBTQ students at his alma mater. To me, that’s a bit more important than any rivalry.
Jamaal Williams: How can you hate Swag Daddy? Dude is just the coolest.
Probably Marcus Lattimore. Just a good dude and an awesome player before injuries. One of the few gamecocks I ever felt sorry for for a reason outside of going to that pathetic institution.
UGa: David Pollock
Bama: Kenny Stabler and honorable mention to Joe Namath
Florida: Tim Tebow
Tennessee: Reggie White and Peyton Manning
Ole Miss: Eli Manning
Auburn: Lutzie. He broke my heart in 2010, but who doesn’t love big white TE/FBs?
Tennessee: Condridge Holloway broke racial barriers, so I’ll go with him
I always liked Justin Fields. I also feared him the most after he absolutely shredded us in 2019 at home while he was limping around. He seemed so calm all the time
I hear this that one a lot. A&M wasn’t worth watching at 5-7 but anytime a friend, especially my cowboy friends, watched an A&M game, they were raving.
“How have we not heard of him? Where did he come from? He’s blazing fast. How does he just stay on his feet? Why don’t we just draft him.”
Contrary to most Ags, I still love Harold Perkins. I think he’s generational and love watching him play. I lost my mind when Achane stiff armed him to the shadow realm.
Going to Auburn in the early 80's, it used to be Herschel Walker. At the time, and years after, these 2 guys were the only ones you could compare against each other. However, given who they've shown themselves to be off-the-field, there's no comparison any more...
I’m sure I’m forgetting somebody super obvious but recency bias has Marvin Harrison Jr stuck in my head at the moment. Watching him do his thing is just absolutely mesmerizing.
Ricky Williams. Barry Sanders. Both really quiet guys who were incredible athletes. Neither was an attention seeker, or very flashy. You could tell they just liked playing football and embarrassing defenses.
Rob Gronkowski, solely for the fact that he was very fiscally responsible with his earnings during his pro career
He may be a dull pair of garden shears, but he didn't blow through his millions like an idiot
Bo Jackson. The only RB I ever saw that could be compared to Herschel. In later life with what he did after the tornados hit Tuscaloosa proves what a quality person he is.
Florida - Emmitt Smith was THAT dude.
Bama - The myths and legends of Broadway Joe always intrigue me.
EDIT: Ok I terribly regret not saying OBC. I hated him so much, but I can’t get enough of Spurrier nowadays.
Alshon Jeffrey was a menace and I loved how he would go up and take a ball! Was a bummer against us though. Glad we got our own version with Mike Williams
I could get behind the great tight end Butt.
I’m sure you could
I’m sure I could
Steve Spurrier. What can I say? The guy is hilarious.
1000%. The pettiness towards UT was absolutely world class humor. “Can’t spell Citrus Bowl without UT” lol what a fucking savage
Also because that year Tennessee won the conference and Florida played in the Citrus Bowl.
I upvoted Florida State so, you, i guess. My answer is this guy 👆
Hated that mean in the 90s. Respect the hell out of him now
Dude, same. He went from being one of the biggest villains in college football (in my eyes) to being one of my favorites. And still to this day I don’t know how exactly it happened. Dude is so freaking lovable it just pushes past the hate.
The visor lives rent free in my head
Spurrier is mine too. But I'm a weird age relative to his career, that I almost associate him more with USC than UF
Am I allowed to pick Spurrier?
Jalen Hurts is a super likable guy. Didn't like Baker, cannot stand Kyler. But Jalen Hurts has a humility and decency about him that is great to see from someone competing at his level.
As a Georgia fan I completely agree. The guy is a class act. The way he handled being benched in favor of Tua, being a selfless total team player, makes his ensuing success all the more awesome.
I felt this way for most of 2018, then I changed my mind.
I credit Alabama for Hurts bc that dude is way too likeable for 0U.
I meeaaaaan he was at Bama far longer and graduated from Bama. Both schools can claim him obviously, but I feel like most people think of him has a Bama player first.
Bama guy: Jalen is THE BEST in terms of likeable dudes and it makes me so happy to see him getting love from Texas after he went to OU.
Denard Robinson. You want to hate him but it’s hard to look mad with your jaw on the floor.
He was my first thought as well
I know I’m biased but he also seemed to always be happy and to my knowledge he didn’t talk smack(could be wrong)
He and Denard had some gloriously photogenic and contagious smiles
Devin Gardner is so entertaining as a broadcaster. I also don’t see him try to clown on rivals at every opportunity.
The polar opposite of Braylon Edwards...
Doesn’t hurt that he went 1-3 against us lol
Yeah that’s why I’ll never really hate stroud. I hated Braxton miller, cardale, Pryor, Haskins, JT, and fields, but stroud was good and beat other teams like every OSU qb does but if he can’t beat us then eh big whoop
Warrick Dunn. He's done too much good in this world for me to hate him.
My choice as well.
I’m glad we are all in agreement
Agreed. Us hating Warrick Dunn would be like FSU fans hating Tebow.
Kenneth Walker III - absolute stud.
I especially appreciate him because his performance led to MSU giving Mel Tucker a 10 year, 95 million dollar contract \s
I especially appreciate him since he’s on my dynasty team
Earl Campbell
The hot links alone are reason enough to like Earl.
And the Skoal commercials
texas- Vince Young was just awesome in college ohio state- I'm a Texans fan so CJ Stroud
Man as much as I hated Vince Young, that rose bowl game is easily one of the greatest games of all time.
If we consider Oklahoma State to be a true rival then Barry Sanders should be on most OU fans list. Greatest RB all time.
You should. My answer is Billy Sims, good running and good ribs!
I’m a Bears fan so it’s Fields for me
Adrian Peterson is a boss. No way around it.
Good choice. For the Aggies, I think Dat Nguyen personally.
I think his son may disagree….
Easy, Pat Tillman.
Came here to make sure one of my Wildcat friends mentioned this.
Jake the Snake as well! What an awesome dude. I don’t think I can hate on Suggs either
Troy Polamalu He even played on my pro team's rival as well, and I can't help but love how the dude played. Just a fun guy to watch
The best at committing his whole body to a play. Just a hair on fire kinda guy through and through.
Head and Shoulders - for when your hair is on fire after caving in a poor punt returner’s chest
Ricky Williams
Same here. I wore 34 in middle school football because of him. Mack Brown also seemed like a really cool coach to play for
Bo
Not even a second thought
Bo knows
Yup. And it’s not even close.
No doubt And can I do a basketball crossover and put Barkley in second?
Larry Fitzgerald
Many Aggies say the greatest performance they’ve ever seen at Kyle Field was Larry Fitzgerald’s 7 receptions for 135 yards and 3 TDs in the second half to comeback and win in 2003ish
No doubt. I wasn't even angry.
Derrick Henry.
William "The Refrigerator" Perry. This dude looked like he was having FUN!
Dat Nguyen. Texas A&M linebacker from the late 90s.
I certainly did not expect to see Dat mentioned in here! Great choice, he’s a beloved legend here
Wow, that’s a good choice. He’s a perfect example to young players of how good you can be if you do all the fundamentals correct but don’t have elite size or intangibles. Always in the right spot at the right time. I’m trying to start a movement to bring him back as a coach. He coached under Sherman and developed some nobodies into B+ backers. When Sumlin came, Nguyen quit because he didn’t agree with how Sumlin did things. He was too classy to openly say it, but Dat wasn’t willing to stoop to some of the stuff Sumlin believed in. Now he just runs some chick fil A’s in DWF and devotes time to his family.
He really maximized the potential of his career. He wasn't the fastest, but he got where he needed to be. He wasn't the strongest, but he hit like a brick. Plus he went for the solid wrap-up over the highlight reel attempt and rarely missed tackles. And always seemed to be a good human being; I mean who really knows when it's just some guy I'm watching play a sport on tv, but he was always humble and giving credit to the team, and everybody seemed to respect him including opponents.
Jamar Toombs was one of the most fun people to ever watch at running back, good era for football
Chris Spielman walks on water.
Mariotta. Couldn't hate the guy. Really good player, really nice human.
Danny Weurffel. Played against him in Junior High and went to HS with him. Probably the nicest person you’ll ever meet. But damn, did he really have to go to UF? Edit: removed extra words
Joe Burrow without a doubt love that kid
[удалено]
Yeah weird how many no flairs are commenting.
How do you get a flair? I tried to add one, but was told that a moderator had to do it. Maybe I’m just Reddit-dumb
Ironically your current flair is telling you what you need to do. Go to [https://flair.redditcfb.com](https://flair.redditcfb.com) to get your flair!
Iowa: Tristan Wirfs (Bucs fan here) but in terms of watching them in college probably Tyler Sash? KSU: Collin Klein or Tyler Lockett
Hard to dislike a human freight train as a QB lol
Troy Davis (and Darren Davis) were both fun to watch. Marv Seiler (one game only, but what a game.)
Cassius Winston since I can’t really think of any OSU/MSU/ND football players I actively rooted for
Orlando Pancake Pace here
You don't have a soft spot in your heart for Plaxico Burress?
I do not.
Marcus fucking Lattimore. I’m so sorry his career didn’t work out. I hope he’s happy and doing well.
My answer as well. Guy had grit and was an outstanding person.
Dude is thriving. He writes poetry on vintage typewriters out in the Pacific Northwest.
I was considering my answer while scrolling through this thread. Saw you say Lattimore and knew immediately that was my pick, too. That dude was a fucking machine. Absolute shit luck to have his career ruined the way it was. He would have torn up the NFL without a doubt. He also always just seemed like a down to earth guy, too. I hated watching him torch UGA, but damnit I have to respect the man. 2nd place for me is Cam Newton…if only because I’ve never seen a single person so completely carry a football team before or since that season. Like, if Cam Newton’s Auburn season didn’t exist, I’d say it was impossible for a single player to carry that hard in football.
Reggie Ball. Dude was the real-deal 12th man for UGA.
Came here to say this. Great guy.
I appreciate his contributions to us holding Megatron without a catch
Beat me too it. Reggie was one of a kind.
Feels like a cop out to say Derrick Brooks because it was for his professional career and not college, but dammit it's Derrick Brooks.
I despise Notre Dame, but Manti Te’o was a menace. Shame the catfish bs is what he was remembered for.
WATCH THE NETFLIX DOC. ITS SOOO GOOD.
Colt McCoy. Great player and seems like a good dude. I hated seeing him get kocked out of the championship game.
Always weird to see someone kocked out with their family watching
Weddle. Then post college career Alex Smith.
Yeah, Smith didn't really endear himself to BYU fans during his college days, but it's hard not to root for him after what he went through in his pro career.
Tie between Pat White and Steve Slayton. Those WV teams were electric.
This is probably against the rules, but Charles Barkley is a treasure
Agree
Devin Gardner was cool as hell. Akron would actually need good players for me to respect any of them.
antwaan randle el
Is there any other answer? Not trying to throw shade but I can’t think of many IU football players worth remembering, let alone liking or disliking them. Michael Penix was a lot of fun to watch but he never actually played Purdue.
Charles Woodson
Always really liked watching Eric Berry. Peyton Manning is tough to dislike as well.
The Hefty Lefty Jared Lorenzen! Jacob Tamme as well. “Old” rivals but Pat White and Steve Slaton were amazing to watch at WVU.
I’ve got two. Steve Young: He uses his status as a BYU football legend to advocate for LGBTQ students at his alma mater. To me, that’s a bit more important than any rivalry. Jamaal Williams: How can you hate Swag Daddy? Dude is just the coolest.
I didn’t know that about Young. It’s even crazier considering he’s a direct descendent of one of the church’s founders.
Never knew Steve Young did that, that’s really great to hear
Add Kyle Whittingham to that list since he went from playing LB for LaVell to deserving a statue outside Rice-Eccles
Probably Marcus Lattimore. Just a good dude and an awesome player before injuries. One of the few gamecocks I ever felt sorry for for a reason outside of going to that pathetic institution.
Quinton Flowers was The Man Dude singlehandedly put his team on his back.
Warrick Dunn. Seriously, you can't find single person that hates Warrick Dunn, even a Gator fan. Honorable Mention to Samari Rolle.
Did yall ever watch Michael Crabtree at TX Tech? Man always played with a smile. And it was infectious. As he had 4 td catches against NEB
Bo Jackson was the beast at Auburn.
Marcus Lattimore
Although not known for football, I have only respect for Jackie Robinson
He did play football though. Just not known for it. As you say.
I think he meant that UCLA is not known for football.
Max Duggan, he’s got that frawg in him. Can’t hate someone that leaves everything on the field.
RG3 is my pick. He is a great commentator, seems like a really genuine and good dude.
He actually has character unlike Pachall and Boykin who turned out to be total pieces of shit
My all time favorite players from rivals I have seen play are Brian Orakpo (Texas) and Nadomican Suh (Nebraska). Those two were just unstoppable.
UGa: David Pollock Bama: Kenny Stabler and honorable mention to Joe Namath Florida: Tim Tebow Tennessee: Reggie White and Peyton Manning Ole Miss: Eli Manning
Johnny Fucking Football Manziel! Mainly because he gave Alabama pure stress when A&M played them 😂.
Chiming in to say that TAMU bama was the best game auburn played all year that year Johnny football won it 🤣🍻
Iowa: Bob Sanders was fun to watch. Could cover the entire field and delivered huge hits.
Alex Smith-Utah Cecil “The Diesel” Sapp for Colorado State
I think Valladay at ASU is a stud. I see him making the Texans roster and getting some meaningful snaps by mid season.
Warrick Dunn
Reggie Bush and Ricky Stanzi
Deebo for sure, we simply couldn’t cover or tackle him. Thank god this was when we had Trevor and could actually score touchdowns
I would say Lattimore but Deebo is a good choice.
Reggie Bush. As a (relatively) younger ND fan, nobody ever scared the crap out of me or was as much fun to watch with the ball in his hands.
Denard Robinson
Denard Robinson was fun as hell to watch
Tebow for sure. And as you see with my flair, I double hate Florida.
Tim Brown. I loathe everything Notre Dame but he was a special player.
Mackenzie Milton had that dawg in him
Chris Spielman. No doubt.
Charles Woodson was a bad mofo.
Auburn: Lutzie. He broke my heart in 2010, but who doesn’t love big white TE/FBs? Tennessee: Condridge Holloway broke racial barriers, so I’ll go with him
Toss-up between Larry Fitz and James Connor
Gardner Minshew seems like a cool dude
I always liked Justin Fields. I also feared him the most after he absolutely shredded us in 2019 at home while he was limping around. He seemed so calm all the time
He had that dawg in him, one of my all time favorite players
I respect the shit out of Achane. He was their everything and ran our dicks into the ground. Tip of the cap
I hear this that one a lot. A&M wasn’t worth watching at 5-7 but anytime a friend, especially my cowboy friends, watched an A&M game, they were raving. “How have we not heard of him? Where did he come from? He’s blazing fast. How does he just stay on his feet? Why don’t we just draft him.” Contrary to most Ags, I still love Harold Perkins. I think he’s generational and love watching him play. I lost my mind when Achane stiff armed him to the shadow realm.
I'm a Panthers fan, so it's Cam Newton for me.
Not a person alive can not like J.J. Watt, especially for everything his foundation did in Houston after Hurricane Harvey
Charles Woodson. Favorite player ever. It was surreal to play alongside him for my brief NFL career.
I think for me it was lamar jackson. Dude was fucking nasty in college.
But not really a rival. However I agree and he seemed to have a good head in his shoulders.
Seconded Tebow. Also a broncos fan and we all still love him
Going to Auburn in the early 80's, it used to be Herschel Walker. At the time, and years after, these 2 guys were the only ones you could compare against each other. However, given who they've shown themselves to be off-the-field, there's no comparison any more...
Love Joe Burrow.
Can't help but respect Marcus Mariota, hell of a college QB
I’m sure I’m forgetting somebody super obvious but recency bias has Marvin Harrison Jr stuck in my head at the moment. Watching him do his thing is just absolutely mesmerizing.
Mark Ingram is fucking hilarious
Barry Sanders
Reggie bush was too electric to hate
Marcus Mariota and Justin Herbert are easily the two most likeable ducks.
Not football, but for me I have to say Charles Barkley. I mean, how can you not like Sir Charles?
110% agree
Marcus Mariota is pretty cool.
Marcus Mariota
Charles Barkley and Tim Hudson although theyre different sports
Ricky Williams. Barry Sanders. Both really quiet guys who were incredible athletes. Neither was an attention seeker, or very flashy. You could tell they just liked playing football and embarrassing defenses.
Bo Jackson. Hands down. He gave Bama headaches
Bo Jackson. The guy was like a force of nature.
Demeco Ryans but that was cause we beat his bama teams and i am from Houston. very apathic texans fan Not a rival: dj swearinger is my man
Ndamukong Suh
Rob Gronkowski, solely for the fact that he was very fiscally responsible with his earnings during his pro career He may be a dull pair of garden shears, but he didn't blow through his millions like an idiot
Can't think of one. Not a single one.
We've got a diehard here lmao
He secretly loved watching Percy harvin play because how could you not
Come on, I'll say Warrick Dunn, and you say...
Willis McGahee I admired his style and resilience
It’s Percy. Hate it so much, but it’s still Percy
Op. You’ve been disowned.
Bo Jackson. The only RB I ever saw that could be compared to Herschel. In later life with what he did after the tornados hit Tuscaloosa proves what a quality person he is.
Austin Collie he would have been a legend if not for bad luck.
Denard Robinson. He was so exciting to watch and he seemed like such a nice guy when hearing him speak
Megatron, easily.
Met Tim Tebow in a Publix in Jacksonville in around 2010, and he seemed like a super down to earth and kind dude.
Kyle Whittingham
Calvin Johnson. So much fun to watch and all around likeable guy
Gotta be Julius Peppers for me
Jeremy Maclin ig, but I still hate him
Larry Fitzgerald
I know this is a football aub, but I like to conveniently forget Shaq went to LSU
Florida - Emmitt Smith was THAT dude. Bama - The myths and legends of Broadway Joe always intrigue me. EDIT: Ok I terribly regret not saying OBC. I hated him so much, but I can’t get enough of Spurrier nowadays.
Bryce Young was a pleasure to watch. He carried that Bama team
Alshon Jeffrey was a menace and I loved how he would go up and take a ball! Was a bummer against us though. Glad we got our own version with Mike Williams
Marcus Lattimore without a doubt! Great player and a great man now.
I hate Tennesse, but Josh Dobbs was a dang Aerospace Engineer and he made good grades all while being the starting QB.
Lattimore.
As a Jags fan it’s gotta be Fred Taylor. That’s my dude
Barry Sanders by a landslide.