LSU’s top 2000s football star makes Shaquille O’Neal smile after Calvin Johnson highlights him among his toughest rivals.

In the expansive world of college football, where legends are born on fall Saturdays and legacies are cemented in bowl games and national championships, few programs boast a lineage as storied and talent-rich as Louisiana State University (LSU). Known for producing NFL-caliber talent across the decades, LSU’s gridiron heroes have often commanded respect from the highest echelons of professional football.

But recently, a special nod from one NFL great to another reverberated far beyond the football field — reaching even into the basketball world. When Calvin Johnson, the Detroit Lions Hall of Famer and one of the most feared wide receivers of the 21st century, named former LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey as one of the toughest rivals he ever faced, it caught attention far and wide — including from one of LSU’s most iconic alumni: Shaquille O’Neal.

The news brought a proud smile to Shaq’s face, a moment that encapsulated the brotherhood of LSU athletics and reminded fans everywhere of the dominance of Dorsey during his college reign.

Glenn Dorsey: The Heart of LSU’s 2000s Defense

To understand why Johnson’s praise hit so hard, you have to look back at the remarkable career of Glenn Dorsey.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Dorsey was more than just a hometown hero. He was a wrecking ball in pads. From 2004 to 2007, he anchored LSU’s defensive line with a combination of speed, strength, and sheer willpower that made him a nightmare for offensive coordinators. By his senior year in 2007, Dorsey had not only won the Outland Trophy (nation’s best interior lineman), the Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player), and the Lombardi Award, but he was also the cornerstone of an LSU team that captured the BCS National Championship.

He wasn’t flashy. He didn’t need to be. Dorsey’s game was built on dominance in the trenches — plugging holes, disrupting plays, collapsing pockets. He wasn’t just an All-American; he was a player whose very presence shifted game plans.

Calvin Johnson’s Surprising Admission

Calvin “Megatron” Johnson’s name is often spoken in reverence, not just in Detroit, but across the football world. The man was nearly impossible to cover — 6-foot-5, blazing fast, and with hands that could pluck a football from the air like a baseball glove snatching a fly ball.

So when Johnson, known for torching defensive backs and racking up yardage against the NFL’s best, was asked recently to name the players who gave him the hardest time — few expected a defensive tackle to make the list.

“Glenn Dorsey,” Johnson said with a respectful smile. “That man was a wall. Physical, fast, disruptive. You had to know where 72 was on every play, or he’d change the whole outcome.”

It might seem unusual for a wide receiver to single out a defensive tackle. But in college — especially in practice scenarios, all-star games, or in the overall impact on team strategy — players like Dorsey affect everything. The presence of a dominant defensive lineman affects the quarterback’s timing, the offensive line’s confidence, and ultimately the receiver’s chances of even getting the ball.

It was high praise, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

Shaq’s Reaction: A Proud LSU Moment

When news of Johnson’s remarks reached Shaquille O’Neal, the 7-foot-1 NBA legend and proud LSU alumnus, it sparked more than just nostalgia — it sparked pride.

Shaq, who played at LSU from 1989 to 1992 before embarking on his Hall of Fame NBA career, has always been vocal about his love for his alma mater. Whether it’s football or basketball, he shows up for LSU — wearing the colors, attending games, and even donating to athletic and academic programs. He’s a Tiger through and through.

When told that Calvin Johnson — another generational athlete — had given Dorsey a special shout-out, Shaq reportedly grinned ear to ear.

“That’s what we do at LSU,” Shaq said during a segment on his podcast, The Big Podcast with Shaq. “We produce legends. Glenn Dorsey — man, he was a beast. You couldn’t run up the middle. That guy had NFL size and power in college. I’m proud of him.”

It was a brief but heartfelt moment, linking basketball greatness to football excellence, all under the LSU banner.

A Legacy of Dominance

For LSU fans, this moment is more than just a cool anecdote. It’s a reminder of the powerhouse that LSU has become in the college football landscape — not just in recent years under the likes of Joe Burrow and Brian Kelly, but dating back to the early 2000s when players like Dorsey were laying the foundation.

Dorsey would go on to be the 5th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, selected by the Kansas City Chiefs. While his professional career didn’t reach the same heights as his college one — partially due to injuries and scheme fit — his college legacy has remained intact.

He was later inducted into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame and remains one of the most celebrated defensive players in program history.

The Brotherhood of the SEC

Another layer to this story is the respect shared across the Southeastern Conference. Calvin Johnson, of course, played at Georgia Tech — not an SEC team — but his nod to an SEC rival speaks to the level of competition and physicality that defines the conference.

SEC football is known for its trench battles, hard hits, and elite athletes. For Johnson to still remember Dorsey years after their college matchups reveals the impression those moments left. It’s also a glimpse into the unspoken fraternity among elite athletes — one built on pain, respect, and moments that shaped their careers.

LSU’s Lasting Impact

This story is also a celebration of LSU’s broader impact on American sports. From Shaquille O’Neal on the hardwood to Glenn Dorsey and countless others on the gridiron, LSU continues to produce not just athletes — but ambassadors of sport. Individuals whose talent, character, and legacy stretch far beyond campus.

In recent years, LSU has remained in the national spotlight, thanks to Heisman-winning quarterbacks, future NFL Hall of Famers, and iconic coaches. But sometimes, it’s the quieter moments — like one superstar praising another — that remind us why college football, and college athletics as a whole, resonate so deeply.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Shout-Out

For Glenn Dorsey, hearing that one of the NFL’s all-time great receivers considered him a major challenge is more than just a compliment — it’s validation. It’s proof that the work he put in, the pain he played through, and the dominance he displayed still echo years later.

For Shaq, it’s another reason to be proud of his school and its tradition. And for fans, it’s a reminder that sports are more than stats and scores — they’re about connections, respect, and the kind of legacies that span decades and sports.

So when Calvin Johnson named Glenn Dorsey among the toughest he faced, it didn’t just make Shaquille O’Neal smile — it made the entire LSU community stand a little taller.