In this, our 5th Original Retro Brand weekly installment of TOP TEN COLLEGE players by position, we will be listing the best kickers in College history. Or as I say each week, MY FAVORITES! No other position on the field can turn you into a hero or goat quicker than that of the placekicker. Only those with the mental toughness to thrive under the pressure of deciding the outcome of any given game,and succeeding, make this list. SO, here they are...
10. George Blanda, Kentucky: Mainly a Quarterback, he turned around a pathetic Wildcat club with his arm and foot. Having Bear Bryant as a coach didn't hurt either!
9. Pete Gogolak, Cornell: Was the first kicker to introduce innovative "Soccer Style" of kicking that is now the norm. Gogolak would also introduce the style into the AFL- NFL, and thrived during a 10 year career.
TROUBLEMAKER
8. Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State: The only kicker to win the coveted Lou Groza award for best College Placekicker twice in 1998 & 1999. Despite his love of getting into fights off the field and the threat of deportation, he became only the 3rd kicker in NFL history to be drafted in the first round.
7. Pete Stoyanovich, Indiana: Considered the best 2-sport athlete (would you believe soccer?) the Hoosiers ever had. The school's all-time leading scorer holds numerous Big 10 records.
6. Russell Erxleben, Texas: Set the record for the longest field goal in College history with 67 yarder against Rice in 1977 (tied 2 weeks later by Steve Little of Arkansas). Erxleben would be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.
5. Lou "The Toe" Groza, Ohio State: Only played one year for the Buckeyes before being drafted into World War II. Obviously he left a lasting impression as the annual award for the best kicker in College Football is named after him! Was an All-Pro Offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns in addition to his kicking duties.
4. Chris & Matt Bahr, Penn State: Both Chris and younger brother Matt would follow almost identical career paths. They were both All-American Soccer and Football stars while at Penn State, and would go on to lengthy NFL careers. They even played short stints in the now defunct North American Soccer League.
3. Pat Summerall, Arkansas: Played Defensive End, Tight end and Kicker. I grew up watching him on "This week in the NFL" on Friday nights, and he was the best announcer ever along with John Madden.
2. Morten Andersen, Michigan State: Holds Big 10 record for longest field goal at 63 yards and was All-American in 1981. He would go on to become the All-Time Leading Scorer in NFL History.
# 1 BUTLER
1. Kevin Butler, Georgia: Anybody that reads my blog (anybody?) knows I am a Georgia Bulldog fan (tough opening loss), and tend to favor all that is DAWG. This case is no different. Butler holds the NCAA record for highest pctg. of field goals made over 50 yards, and is the ONLY place kicker to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
If you think I left anybody off the list, please leave your favorite kicker in the comment section, and I'll make note of it on our Original Retro Brand Facebook Fan page!
