BleedGopher
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This is a pretty solid list from Farrell from 1980-present. Eslinger, TC and DT are definitely in my top 3. I can see the case for Johnson and given Maroney left early, I'd probably omit him, otherwise he'd be my 4th.
Finally, I continue my Mount Rushmore series since 1980 with the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.
C Greg Eslinger
— Arguably the best center in college football since the turn of the 21st century, Eslinger was a three-time All-American, three- time first-team All-Big Ten selection and the winner of both the Rimington and Outland trophies in 2005. A phenomenal run blocker, Eslinger paved the way for some of the greatest rushing attacks in school history, featuring Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney. Those guys would have never racked up the numbers they did without Eslinger.
RB Darrell Thompson — A four-year starter for the Gophers, Thompson was the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year in 1986, and was the first player in conference history to top the 1,000-yard mark as both a freshman and sophomore. Thompson is still Minnesota's all-time leader in rushing yards (4,518), all-purpose yards (4,855) and total touchdowns (43). And he did all of this despite being basically the only source of offense his entire time on campus, consistently facing eight- and nine-man boxes.
S Tyrone Carter — A two-time first-team All-American as a junior and senior, Carter was a tackling machine from the safety position, racking up 528 tackles in his career, including three seasons with over 140. The Jim Thorpe and Jack Tatum Award winner as a senior, Carter was a three-time all-conference performer who also doubled as an excellent kick returner, racking up nearly 1,500 yards for his career while averaging more than 22 yards per return.
WR Tyler Johnson
— This was a close call between Johnson and Eric Decker, and honestly you can't go wrong with either guy. I went with Johnson because he had more yards and TDs than Decker, and he was a more consistent player overall. A two-time first team All-Big Ten performer, Johnson finished his career with 3,305 yards receiving and 33 TDs. He paired with Rashod Bateman for one of the best WR combos in the country, leading the conference in receptions, yards and TDs as a senior.
n.rivals.com
Go Gophers!!
Finally, I continue my Mount Rushmore series since 1980 with the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.
C Greg Eslinger
— Arguably the best center in college football since the turn of the 21st century, Eslinger was a three-time All-American, three- time first-team All-Big Ten selection and the winner of both the Rimington and Outland trophies in 2005. A phenomenal run blocker, Eslinger paved the way for some of the greatest rushing attacks in school history, featuring Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney. Those guys would have never racked up the numbers they did without Eslinger.
RB Darrell Thompson — A four-year starter for the Gophers, Thompson was the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year in 1986, and was the first player in conference history to top the 1,000-yard mark as both a freshman and sophomore. Thompson is still Minnesota's all-time leader in rushing yards (4,518), all-purpose yards (4,855) and total touchdowns (43). And he did all of this despite being basically the only source of offense his entire time on campus, consistently facing eight- and nine-man boxes.
S Tyrone Carter — A two-time first-team All-American as a junior and senior, Carter was a tackling machine from the safety position, racking up 528 tackles in his career, including three seasons with over 140. The Jim Thorpe and Jack Tatum Award winner as a senior, Carter was a three-time all-conference performer who also doubled as an excellent kick returner, racking up nearly 1,500 yards for his career while averaging more than 22 yards per return.
WR Tyler Johnson
— This was a close call between Johnson and Eric Decker, and honestly you can't go wrong with either guy. I went with Johnson because he had more yards and TDs than Decker, and he was a more consistent player overall. A two-time first team All-Big Ten performer, Johnson finished his career with 3,305 yards receiving and 33 TDs. He paired with Rashod Bateman for one of the best WR combos in the country, leading the conference in receptions, yards and TDs as a senior.
Three-Point Stance: College football 'What ifs?,' rivalries, Minnesota
Mike Farrell stayed up late thinking about some crazy scenarios that could happen this college football season.
Go Gophers!!
