• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

Best CFB Players by Jersey Number

Jump to latest Follow Reply
plum diamonds buckeye planet
Sort by date Sort by votes
So that's nine of 80, and the three "sure things" (Archie, Chic, Spielman) weren't among them either.

I sent Maisel an email today about Chic. He's actually answered several of my questions directly before in his chats and by email, so I'm hoping to get a response.

Who would the short list be for #85?
 
Upvote 0
A few we may have a shot at (all are in the College Hall of Fame):

Jim Houston - P - #84: A two-time team MVP and All-America selection, Jim Houston was a true 60-minute man, starring at both offensive and defensive end for Ohio State. As a sophomore in 1957, Houston helped the Buckeyes to a 9-1 record and the National Championship. Following his collegiate career, the Cleveland Browns selected Houston with the eighth-overall selection in the 1960 NFL Draft. Houston played 13 years in the NFL and was selected to four Pro Bowls.

Bill Willis - T - #99:
A splendid leg-sprint to the hit, a bursting quickness through the block and a pulsating power in clearing the path for the runner - Bill Willis was all of this as a tackle on the Ohio State national championship team of 1942. A sprinter's speed made Willis one of the greatest linemen at running interference, and many an opponent left Ohio Stadium feeling the pains of a Willis pop-block. Bill's 6-2 frame of muscle and brawn belied his fleetness afoot, yet he was a varsity dash man rarely outdistanced. Buckeye fans who enjoyed those championship years remember vividly the sight of Heisman Trophy winner Horvath slipping off the shoulders of the straining Willis and running to glory. In 1942, the Buckeyes won nine of 10 games, upset only by a surprising Wisconsin team, 17-7. After a mediocre 3-6 season in 1943, Willis and the Bucks rebounded for a perfect nine-game season and another Big Ten crown. Few Ohio State followers knew that Bill Willis was as nimble at his studies as he was along the Buckeye line, as he carried a high class ranking in Business Administration. In 1945, Willis was head coach at Kentucky State. In 1946, he joined the Cleveland Browns. He played eight seasons and was all-pro four times. In 1963, he was named director of the Ohio Youth Commission. He took charge of the state's juvenile institutions. His work was so outstanding a school, the William Willis High School, was named for him.

​
 
Upvote 0
Realistically, Tom Harmon of TSUN should get #98. Not too many Heisman winners wore numbers in the 90's.

Leon Hart of ND wore #82 and also won it.
 
Upvote 0
Just wondering if there are many all-time greats who wore the same number in college and pros? I see Cornelius Bennet got #97, and a number of years ago SI did this same thing for the NFL, where he also was the man at 97.
 
Upvote 0
BayBuck said:
Just wondering if there are many all-time greats who wore the same number in college and pros? I see Cornelius Bennet got #97, and a number of years ago SI did this same thing for the NFL, where he also was the man at 97.
Click to expand...
Eddie George carried his #27 to Houston/Tennessee, though it's debatable whether Eddie will be remembered an "all-time" great at the NFL level. He was consistently one of those Top-5 guys for six or seven years, but he was never the guy amongst his peers, so that'll probably hurt him.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top