ESPN REPORT: Legendary LSU Tigers football player Joe Burrow has been officially named as the Greatest of All Time in college men’s football, defeating 3 top rivals including Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech, Herschel Walker of Georgia Bulldogs, and Joe Montana of Notre Dame
In a monumental and highly anticipated declaration that is sure to ignite fervent debate across the college football landscape, ESPN today officially named LSU Tigers legend Joe Burrow as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in men’s college football. The groundbreaking report, culminating months of meticulous analysis, statistical deep dives, and expert panel discussions, saw Burrow ascend to the pinnacle, surpassing a trio of iconic figures: Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech, Herschel Walker of the Georgia Bulldogs, and Joe Montana of Notre Dame.
The decision, while perhaps shocking to some traditionalists, underscores the unparalleled nature of Burrow’s 2019 season and its profound impact on the sport’s historical records. ESPN’s comprehensive methodology reportedly weighed a myriad of factors, including individual statistics, team success, cultural impact, Heisman Trophy performance, and the sheer dominance demonstrated during their collegiate careers.
Joe Burrow: The Unprecedented Ascent
While Joe Burrow’s collegiate journey began at Ohio State, his legend was undeniably forged in Baton Rouge during his two seasons as the starting quarterback for the LSU Tigers. His 2019 campaign is widely regarded as the single greatest season by a college quarterback in history, a statistical anomaly that redefined offensive efficiency and individual brilliance.
In that unforgettable season, Burrow led LSU to a perfect 15-0 record and a College Football Playoff National Championship, dismantling every opponent in his path. He shattered NCAA, SEC, and LSU records with staggering numbers: 5,671 passing yards, an unthinkable 60 passing touchdowns (an NCAA record), and a remarkable 76.3% completion percentage. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was an absurd 60:6, showcasing an almost flawless command of the offense. He won the Heisman Trophy by the largest margin in history, securing an overwhelming 90.7% of first-place votes. His performances in the CFP semifinals against Oklahoma (493 yards, 7 TDs) and the National Championship against Clemson (463 yards, 5 TDs passing, 1 TD rushing) were legendary, cementing his status as a big-game performer.
ESPN’s panel likely highlighted not just the statistics, but the sheer context of Burrow’s 2019 season. He transformed a very good LSU team into an all-time great one, orchestrating an offensive scheme that was truly revolutionary for its time. His poise under pressure, uncanny accuracy, and exceptional leadership qualities allowed him to elevate those around him to unprecedented heights. The “Burrow Effect” was undeniable, manifesting in a captivating run that captivated the entire nation.
The Illustrious Rivals: Acknowledging Their Greatness
While Burrow claimed the ultimate title, the candidates he surpassed represent some of the most revered figures in college football history, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective programs and the sport as a whole.
Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech (2007-2008): Crabtree’s collegiate career, though brief, was a dazzling display of receiving artistry that rewrote record books. In just two seasons under Mike Leach’s air raid offense, Crabtree was an unstoppable force. As a redshirt freshman in 2007, he set still-standing FBS freshman records with an astonishing 134 receptions, 1,962 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns. He became the first freshman ever to win the Biletnikoff Award, an honor he repeated in 2008, becoming the only two-time winner in the award’s history. His career totals of 231 receptions, 3,127 yards, and 41 touchdowns in just 26 games are mind-boggling. His iconic game-winning touchdown catch against No. 1 Texas in 2008 remains a legendary moment in Red Raider lore. Crabtree’s impact was immediate and explosive, showcasing a blend of size, speed, and acrobatic receiving skills that few could match.
Herschel Walker, Running Back, Georgia Bulldogs (1980-1982): Herschel Walker is not just a college football legend; he is a mythical figure. In three seasons at Georgia, Walker redefined the running back position, combining brute strength with electrifying speed. As a true freshman in 1980, he led the Bulldogs to an undefeated national championship, rushing for an NCAA freshman record 1,616 yards. He was a unanimous All-American in all three of his seasons and a three-time Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third in 1980, second in 1981, and finally winning the award in 1982. He concluded his career with an astounding 5,259 rushing yards and 49 rushing touchdowns, averaging an incredible 159.4 yards per game. Walker held 41 school records, 16 SEC records, and 11 NCAA records upon leaving Georgia. His ability to carry his team, often single-handedly, is a testament to his unparalleled dominance and physical prowess.
Joe Montana, Quarterback, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1975-1978): Before becoming “Joe Cool” in the NFL, Joe Montana cemented his legacy as a legendary comeback artist and champion at Notre Dame. While his collegiate statistics might not jump off the page compared to modern quarterbacks, his leadership, clutch performances, and uncanny ability to win defined his time in South Bend. In 1977, he famously led the Irish to a national championship, overcoming significant deficits in multiple games, including the “Chicken Soup Game” in the Cotton Bowl where he battled flu-like symptoms to engineer a dramatic comeback victory over Houston. Montana’s ability to remain calm and deliver under immense pressure set the stage for his iconic NFL career. He finished his collegiate career with 4,123 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, but his true value lay in his intangible qualities and his undeniable knack for elevating his team in critical moments.
The Debate’s Nuances: Why Burrow Prevailed
ESPN’s decision to crown Burrow as the GOAT, particularly over figures like Walker and Montana who had longer, more traditional collegiate careers spanning multiple dominant seasons, points to a prioritization of peak performance and statistical anomaly within the modern era.
- Unparalleled Single-Season Dominance: Burrow’s 2019 season wasn’t just great; it was an outlier in the history of the sport. No other player, regardless of position, has combined such individual statistical supremacy with an undefeated national championship season in such a dominant fashion. The sheer efficiency and volume of his passing numbers, coupled with the success of his team, created a perfect storm of GOAT-level performance.
- Impact on Modern Offense: Burrow’s 2019 season, under then-offensive coordinator Joe Brady, showcased a paradigm shift in how college football offenses could operate. His success effectively legitimized a more NFL-style, pass-heavy, and analytically driven approach, influencing offensive schemes across the country.
- Heisman Dominance: The Heisman Trophy is often a barometer for individual greatness. Burrow’s record-setting margin of victory underscored a level of consensual dominance not seen before or since.
- Era-Adjusted Performance: While comparing players across different eras is inherently challenging due to rule changes, differing offensive philosophies, and schedule variations, Burrow’s numbers in a modern, highly competitive SEC stand out even more. He achieved his feats against top-tier defenses week in and week out.
Conversely, while Crabtree’s individual receiving numbers are historically elite, the quarterback-driven nature of college football often places the ultimate team success on the shoulders of the signal-caller. Walker’s extraordinary rushing dominance was a product of a different era of football, where running the ball was the unequivocal centerpiece of most offenses. Montana’s greatness lay more in his leadership and clutch play, with his statistical output being less eye-popping than Burrow’s modern explosion.
The Legacy Continues
The ESPN declaration is less about diminishing the incredible legacies of Michael Crabtree, Herschel Walker, and Joe Montana, and more about recognizing the singular, almost mythical season that Joe Burrow delivered in 2019. It was a season that transcended traditional boundaries, showcased unparalleled individual talent, and culminated in the ultimate team prize. While the debate will undoubtedly rage on in barbershops, sports bars, and social media feeds for years to come, ESPN has now firmly staked its claim: in the annals of college men’s football, Joe Burrow stands alone as the Greatest Of All Time.
