5. Tracy Rocker, linebacker
Besides producing some of the greatest running backs in NCAA history, Auburn also produced a boatload of great linebackers. One of those greats is Tracy Rocker. Rocker, who played under Auburn head coach Pat Dye, was a three-time All-SEC selection, a two-time first-team All-American (including a unanimous nod in his senior season), an SEC Player of the Year, a two-time SEC champion, a Lombardi Award winner, and an Outland Trophy winner. Not many players, past or present, could match his talent or his numbers. Rocker also ranks fourth in Auburn history for career sacks and seventh in total tackles. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and is now an assistant coach at Georgia.
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4. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, running back
Auburn fans can argue whether or not Caddie should land at the No. 4 spot. But what they can’t argue is what a great and talented running back he was. Way before he won Tiger fans’ hearts briefly coaching the football team after Bryan Harsin was fired, Caddie was already a folk hero. He garnered the name Cadillac from a sports anchor in Birmingham, Alabama for his smooth running style. In 2003, he set the Auburn single-season touchdown record with 17, tying Bo Jackson. The following year, he had an even bigger season for the Tigers, amassing 1,700 all-purpose yards to help lead Auburn to an undefeated season. He garnered All-American and All-SEC first-team honors as well. He is probably best remembered for his 80-yard touchdown run against Alabama in the 2003 Iron Bowl, which cemented his legacy.3. Pat Sullivan, quarterback
The run of great Heisman winners in the Tiger’s history started with Pat Sullivan. Sullivan won the 1971 Heisman in a close vote over Cornell running back Ed Marionaro. Sullivan was an All-American, SEC Player of the Year, and led the nation in total yards as a junior with over 2,800 yards, 2,500 of which were passing. In his senior year, he led Auburn to an undefeated regular season and once again threw for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns en route to the Heisman. Sullivan has always been a favorite son of Auburn and one of the few Tigers whose jersey has been retired.
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2. Cam Newton, quarterback
Auburn’s most recent Heisman winner is Cam Newton. When Newton burst onto the scene, he changed college football as we know it. He was an All-American, SEC Player of the Year, and helped lead Auburn to the national championships in 2010, their first since 1957. Newton was a nightmare for SEC defenses to cover because he could hurt you with either his arm or his legs. In his Heisman season, Newton passed for nearly 3,000 yards and had 30 passing touchdowns. His most memorable feat is leading the Tigers back from a huge deficit in the 2010 Iron Bowl against Alabama. Newton would later be the No. 1 draft choice of the Carolina Panthers in 2011 and would later win NFL MVP and take the Panthers to the Super Bowl. His arrival on the Plains may have been controversial but he left a memorable mark on the program forever.
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1. Bo Jackson, running back
Was there any doubt about who would be No. 1? Vincent “Bo” Jackson is not only the greatest player in Auburn football history, but the icon is maybe the greatest athlete to ever grace the Plains. As most people know, Bo not only played football but baseball too and was a true two-star athlete. But let’s talk about his career as a running back at Auburn. Bo was recruited by Paul “Bear” Bryant of Alabama and seriously considered going to Tuscaloosa. However, Bryant wouldn’t promise him that he would start as a freshman, a big mistake. Auburn head coach Pat Dye offered Jackson a scholarship and a starting role in his backfield, which sealed the deal. Jackson ran for 800 yards as a freshman, helping lead the Tigers to victory over Alabama in the 1982 Iron Bowl, breaking the Tide’s winning streak. By the time the 1985 season hit, Jackson had already established himself as a star, so it was no surprise to anyone when he won the Heisman. Jackson amassed over 1,800 yards rushing and receiving along with 21 touchdowns.He would be drafted by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccanneers and MLB’s Kansas City Royals. Jackson didn’t want to play for the Bucs, so he opted to play only for the Royals where he became a star. Jackson would reenter the draft in 1987 and get picked up by the Los Angeles Raiders, where he flourished. When people talk about the greatest athletes of all time in any sport, Bo’s name automatically comes up. Despite his pro career being cut short due to a hip injury, he is still considered one of the greatest college athletes to ever play the game.
