Most Memorable Players

This list is not necessarily a listing of the 20 best players in the SEC since expansion in 1992. THe guys on this list are the ones that won't be forgotten. Most of it has to do with the success on the field, but some of it has to do with a players charisma, look, or play making ability.

20. JaMarcus Russell QB LSU- Russell's career at LSU was certainly a great one. The big 6'5 265 pound QB was 21-4 at LSU as a starter. In his first season as starter in 2005 Russell led LSU to a 10-1 record, but was injured in the SEC Championship game against Georgia. In 2006 Russell had a huge season passing for 28 TDs and only 8 INT. His biggest game came in the Sugar Bowl where he passed for 350 yards and was named MVP as LSU whipped Notre Dame 41-14. Russell ended up being the #1 pick overall by the Oakland Raiders after a very impressive combine. While his NFL career didn't work out, he was no doubt one of the best QBs in the SEC in the last 20 years.

19. Matt Jones QB Arkansas- Jones might have been the fastest QB ever in the SEC with a legit 4.37 40(at the NFL combine). Jones was the winning QB in the 2 longest games in NCAA history in 7 overtime wins over Ole Miss and Kentucky. At the time he graduated he had more rushing yards than any other QB in SEC History with 2,535 yards. He was such a great athlete that he even played significant minutes for the Hogs basketball team. Even more impressive is the fact that he was a first round draft pick by Jacksonville as a WR, not a QB.

18. Percy Harvin WR Florida- One of the most diverse athletes in SEC History was Percy Harvin. He was the biggest offensive weapon for Florida's two National Titles under Urban Meyer. Most of the time he would be lined up as a WR, but other times you'd see him play the running back position or even QB at times. Harvin's playmaking ability made him a first round draft pick for the Vikings in 2008 after being an All American

17. John Henderson DT Tennessee- "Big John" was the most dominant defensive lineman in the SEC Expansion Era. The 2000 Outland Trophy Winner led some of the best defenses under Phil Fulmer. He was a 2 time All American and finished his career with 20 sacks. Henderson and Albert Haynesworth formed one of the top defensive lines in SEC History.

16. Antonio Langham CB Alabama- The 1993 Jim Thorpe award winner and All American is also the man responsible for Alabama having to forfeit most of its 1993 season. Prior to the 93 season Langham had signed a contract with an agent and this caused the NCAA step . Langham ended up being drafted 9th overall in the NFL Draft and had a seven year NFL career.

15. Jared Lorenzen QB Kentucky- Kentucky's all time leading passer is more known for his weight than his actual on the field ability. Lorenzen was a 4 year starter at Kentucky and broke most of first round NFL Pick Tim Couch's records. It was his numerous nicknames that might be remembered most. J. Load, The Fat Ass From the Bluegrass, Pillsbury Throwboy, and The Round Mound of Touchdown were just some of the nicknames for this QB who did end up playing in the NFL for a few seasons.

14. Michael Oher OL Ole Miss- On the field Oher was an All American lineman and an Outland Trophy finalist. Off the field his story got huge publicity with in the move The Blind Side. Oher was a first round selection of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL Draft as well.

13. David Palmer WR Alabama- Palmer finished 3rd for the Heisman his junior season as a WR/KR, but he might most be remembered for being one of the first "wildcat" QBs. Palmer was taking snaps under center far before it became a trend for a WR or RB to do so. He was also the first Alabama WR to reach 1,000 yards in one season.

12. Steve Taneyhill QB South Carolina- While there were better QBs not on this list than Taneyhill, few will be remembered like him. Taneyhill was the mullett wearing, cocky QB for South Carolina in their first 4 years in the SEC. His celebrations were unlike anything most had seen at the time. Taneyhill hit fake home runs after touchdowns, he signed the Tiger Paw at Clemson, and he made fun of Rocky Top after beating UT in 1992. Today the Mullett is gone and Taneyhill is a high school football coach that has won multiple state championships in South Carolina.

11. Patrick Peterson CB LSU- Peterson started his career at LSU as USA Today's Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, he ended his career as the Bednarik and Thorpe Award Winners. Peterson was not only a fantastic corner, he also had a great junior season returning kickoffs(27.5 avg) and punts(16.7 avg and 2 TDs).

10. David Greene QB Georgia- David Greene can be credited as the offensive player who brought Georgia Football back to the national spotlight. Greene ended his career as the NCAA's all time winningest QB(since broken by Colt McCoy) and the SEC's all-time career leader in yards gained. One of Greene's most famous moments was a win over #5 Tennessee, where UGA scored with 5 seconds left to win and play by plan announced Larry Munson said "We just stepped on their face with a hobnail boot and broke their nose. We just crused their face!

9. Carnell Williams RB Auburn- Known as Cadillac Williams by most, Carnell ended his Auburn career with 3,831 yards rushing and 45 TDs. In 2004 Williams and Ronnie Brown decided to return to Auburn for their senior season. Williams, Brown, and Jason Campbell would lead Auburn to an undefeated season in 2004 and a SEC Championship. Williams was named SEC Player of the Week a record 9 times while at AU.

8. Eli Manning QB Ole Miss- Just like his father did over 30 years earlier, Eli Manning chose to play in Oxford, MS. Also, like his father Manning had a career few will ever forget. Manning ended up breaking or sharing 45 Rebel records in his career. The 2003 Rebels were the best since the days of Johnny Vaught. That team won 10 games for the first time in 30 years and won a share of the SEC West(LSU won head to head tiebreaker). Maxwell won the Johnny Unitas and Maxwell Awards his final year at Ole Miss.

7. David Pollack DE Georgia- Few would argue that there was a better defensive player in the last 20 years than Pollack. Pollack was a 3 time All American at Georgia and was the last defensive player to win the SEC Player of the Year Award when it was only given to 1 player(now an offensive and defensive player get it). Pollack also won the Bednarik, Lott, and Lombardi Trophies. His most memorable play came against South Carolina in 2002. The Gameocks were inside their own 5 yard line and QB Corey Jenkins dropped back for a pass. Pollack came around the end and took the pass from Jenkins in the endzone and scored a TD. This play was the game winner for the Bulldogs and helped them to their first win over USC since 99 and their first SEC Championship in 30 years.

6. Mark Ingram RB Alabama- The first ever Heisman Winner at The University of Alabama was an unstoppable force at running back in 2009. Ingram's near 2,000 all purpose yards helped Alabama win the BCS National Championship. In 2010 Ingram spend the first part of the season injured, but still finished with 875 yards rushing. Ingram was a first round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints this past NFL Draft.

5. Darren McFadden RB Arkansas- McFadden is the player that made the "Wildcat" Formation famous. The Hogs started using this formation in 2006 and McFadden not only was a threat to run, but he could also pass. McFadden ended his career as the SEC's 2nd alltime leading rusher with over 4,500 yards. He also passed for 7 touchdowns in his career. The backfield of Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, and Peyton Hillis will be remembered as one of the best in SEC History.

4. Cam Newton QB Auburn- You would have a hard time finding a better single season performance than that of Cam Newton in 2010. Newton started his career at Florida as Tim Tebow's backup. After winning a National Championship in Junior College, Newton came to Auburn. Newton proved to a be a good passer and an even better runner, leading the SEC in rushing last season. The Tigers ended the season 14-0 and won their first National Championship in over 40 years. Unfortunately for Newton, his eligibility was called into question in the middle of last season and still today is under investigation.

3.Peyton Manning QB Tennessee- Most thought Manning would choose to play for Ole Miss, but he decided to take his talents to Rocky Top. Manning started his career as the backup QB for Tennessee, but when future MLB Player Todd Helton was injured, Manning took over and didn't look back. Manning ended his career with a 39-6 record as a starter with 5 of those losses coming to top 10 teams. Manning was able to complete his degree in 3 years and did return for his senior season at UT. In a shocking Heisman vote, Manning finished second to Michigan's Charles Woodson. A street named Peyton Manning Pass is next to Tennessee's Neyland Stadium.

2. Danny Wuerffel QB Florida- The first Heisman Winner to be coached by a Heisman Winner was Danny Wuerffel of Florida. The Gators and Wuerffel dominated the SEC while he was at QB. Florida had a 34-2 record against SEC teams(both losses to Auburn) and won 4 consecutive SEC Championships. Most of these games weren't even close and the passing game under Wuerffel at times seemed unstoppable. Wuerffel and the Gators won their first ever National Championship in 1996. Wuerffel was a two time All American and still today is the NCAA's alltime passing efficiency leader.

1. Tim Tebow QB Florida- As a starter at Florida Tim Tebow finished in the top 5 of the Heisman voting all 3 seasons. In 2007 he became the first sophomore to ever win the award. While not the starter for the 2006 Gators, Tebow still accounted for 13 touchdowns and had 469 yards rushing. Tebow won 2 national championships at Florida and the team won 3 BCS bowls. He ended his career having rushed for more yards than any SEC QB. While his on the field performance was great, he is also got plenty of attention off the field for his many good works.

Matt Barber