In a landmark recognition of college football greatness, **ESPN has officially named Earl Campbell the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) among college football players** [A](https://metroinfos.com/espn-report-texas-longhorns-legend-earl-campbell-has-been-named-as-the-the-greatest-of-all-time-in-college-football-beating-herschel-walker-of-georgia-tim-tebow-of-florida-gators-and-archie-gr/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This announcement cements Campbell’s legacy as the most dominant force in Texas Longhorns history and sets a new benchmark for excellence in the sport.
Campbell, known as the **“Tyler Rose,”** revolutionized the running back position with his rare combination of power, speed, and resilience. His tenure at the University of Texas from **1974 to 1977** was nothing short of legendary, culminating in a **Heisman Trophy-winning senior season in 1977**. That year, he rushed for **1,744 yards and 19 touchdowns**, leading the nation in both categories and propelling the Longhorns to an **undefeated 11-0 regular season** [A](https://metroinfos.com/espn-report-texas-longhorns-legend-earl-campbell-has-been-named-as-the-the-greatest-of-all-time-in-college-football-beating-herschel-walker-of-georgia-tim-tebow-of-florida-gators-and-archie-gr/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His physicality—famously knocking defenders unconscious with his massive **34½-inch thighs**—earned him a reputation as an unstoppable force on the field.
Campbell’s dominance extended beyond individual accolades. He was a **two-time All-American** and a **three-time All-Southwest Conference (SWC) selection**, consistently proving himself as the backbone of Texas football. His career total of **4,443 rushing yards** set a then-UT record, a mark that stood for years before being surpassed by later Longhorn greats [A](https://metroinfos.com/espn-report-texas-longhorns-legend-earl-campbell-has-been-named-as-the-the-greatest-of-all-time-in-college-football-beating-herschel-walker-of-georgia-tim-tebow-of-florida-gators-and-archie-gr/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to bulldoze through defenses and carry his team to victory made him a generational talent, one whose impact is still felt in the sport today.
ESPN’s decision to crown Campbell as the GOAT was not without competition. He edged out other legendary figures such as **Herschel Walker of Georgia, Tim Tebow of Florida, and Archie Griffin of Ohio State** [A](https://metroinfos.com/espn-report-texas-longhorns-legend-earl-campbell-has-been-named-as-the-the-greatest-of-all-time-in-college-football-beating-herschel-walker-of-georgia-tim-tebow-of-florida-gators-and-archie-gr/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Walker, a Heisman winner himself, was a dominant force in the SEC, while Tebow redefined the quarterback position with his dual-threat capabilities. Griffin remains the only player to win two Heisman Trophies, yet Campbell’s sheer dominance and era-defining impact ultimately secured his place at the top.
Beyond his college career, Campbell’s greatness translated seamlessly into the **NFL**, where he was selected **No. 1 overall by the Houston Oilers in the 1978 NFL Draft**. His professional career was marked by **five Pro Bowl selections, an MVP award, and a Hall of Fame induction**, further solidifying his status as one of football’s all-time greats.
Campbell’s recognition as the GOAT is more than just an individual honor—it is a testament to his enduring legacy and the standard he set for future generations of players. His influence on the game, both at the collegiate and professional levels, remains unparalleled
