Herschel Walker, the legendary running back from the University of Georgia, has been voted the greatest college football player of all time in ESPN’s weekly coaches poll [A](https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/130690/walker-wins-coaches-poll-for-all-time-top-college-football-player?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiUjRaUjJlb0JGcUxCNmVtazJHaXZmIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoia1I3RWpyRFRpUGNjYXdKU2lhbmNUIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LmVzcG4uY29tXC9ibG9nXC9uY2ZuYXRpb25cL3Bvc3RcL19cL2lkXC8xMzA2OTBcL3dhbGtlci13aW5zLWNvYWNoZXMtcG9sbC1mb3ItYWxsLXRpbWUtdG9wLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtcGxheWVyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This recognition places him ahead of other iconic players such as Tim Tebow of Florida, Bo Jackson of Auburn, Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State, and Earl Campbell of Texas [A](https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/130690/walker-wins-coaches-poll-for-all-time-top-college-football-player?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZXNwbi5jb21cL2Jsb2dcL25jZm5hdGlvblwvcG9zdFwvX1wvaWRcLzEzMDY5MFwvd2Fsa2VyLXdpbnMtY29hY2hlcy1wb2xsLWZvci1hbGwtdGltZS10b3AtY29sbGVnZS1mb290YmFsbC1wbGF5ZXIiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJrUjdFanJEVGlQY2Nhd0pTaWFuY1QiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiUjRaUjJlb0JGcUxCNmVtazJHaXZmIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Walker’s dominance on the field, his record-breaking performances, and his lasting impact on college football make him a deserving recipient of this honor.
Walker’s college football career is nothing short of extraordinary. As a freshman in 1980, he rushed for 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading Georgia to a perfect 12-0 season and a national championship [B](https://247sports.com/college/georgia/article/herschel-walker-espn-greatest-players-all-time-college-football–142145382/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC8yNDdzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9nZW9yZ2lhXC9hcnRpY2xlXC9oZXJzY2hlbC13YWxrZXItZXNwbi1ncmVhdGVzdC1wbGF5ZXJzLWFsbC10aW1lLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtLTE0MjE0NTM4MlwvIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoia1I3RWpyRFRpUGNjYXdKU2lhbmNUIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6IlI0WlIyZW9CRnFMQjZlbWsyR2l2ZiJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to perform under pressure was evident in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, where he ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns despite playing with a separated shoulder [B](https://247sports.com/college/georgia/article/herschel-walker-espn-greatest-players-all-time-college-football–142145382/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiUjRaUjJlb0JGcUxCNmVtazJHaXZmIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoia1I3RWpyRFRpUGNjYXdKU2lhbmNUIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvMjQ3c3BvcnRzLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvZ2VvcmdpYVwvYXJ0aWNsZVwvaGVyc2NoZWwtd2Fsa2VyLWVzcG4tZ3JlYXRlc3QtcGxheWVycy1hbGwtdGltZS1jb2xsZWdlLWZvb3RiYWxsLS0xNDIxNDUzODJcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Over his three-year collegiate career, Walker set numerous records, including 41 Georgia records, 16 SEC records, and 11 NCAA records [B](https://247sports.com/college/georgia/article/herschel-walker-espn-greatest-players-all-time-college-football–142145382/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC8yNDdzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9nZW9yZ2lhXC9hcnRpY2xlXC9oZXJzY2hlbC13YWxrZXItZXNwbi1ncmVhdGVzdC1wbGF5ZXJzLWFsbC10aW1lLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtLTE0MjE0NTM4MlwvIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6IlI0WlIyZW9CRnFMQjZlbWsyR2l2ZiIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6ImtSN0VqckRUaVBjY2F3SlNpYW5jVCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His total rushing yards of 5,259 remain the highest ever achieved in just three seasons [B](https://247sports.com/college/georgia/article/herschel-walker-espn-greatest-players-all-time-college-football–142145382/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJrUjdFanJEVGlQY2Nhd0pTaWFuY1QiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiUjRaUjJlb0JGcUxCNmVtazJHaXZmIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvMjQ3c3BvcnRzLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvZ2VvcmdpYVwvYXJ0aWNsZVwvaGVyc2NoZWwtd2Fsa2VyLWVzcG4tZ3JlYXRlc3QtcGxheWVycy1hbGwtdGltZS1jb2xsZWdlLWZvb3RiYWxsLS0xNDIxNDUzODJcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Walker’s impact extended beyond statistics. His playing style—marked by speed, power, and agility—set a new standard for running backs. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1982, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in college football history [B](https://247sports.com/college/georgia/article/herschel-walker-espn-greatest-players-all-time-college-football–142145382/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiUjRaUjJlb0JGcUxCNmVtazJHaXZmIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoia1I3RWpyRFRpUGNjYXdKU2lhbmNUIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvMjQ3c3BvcnRzLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvZ2VvcmdpYVwvYXJ0aWNsZVwvaGVyc2NoZWwtd2Fsa2VyLWVzcG4tZ3JlYXRlc3QtcGxheWVycy1hbGwtdGltZS1jb2xsZWdlLWZvb3RiYWxsLS0xNDIxNDUzODJcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His influence on the game is evident in the way modern running backs are measured against his achievements.
The ESPN poll that named Walker the greatest college football player of all time was conducted among 128 FBS coaches, with 97 participating [A](https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/130690/walker-wins-coaches-poll-for-all-time-top-college-football-player?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZXNwbi5jb21cL2Jsb2dcL25jZm5hdGlvblwvcG9zdFwvX1wvaWRcLzEzMDY5MFwvd2Fsa2VyLXdpbnMtY29hY2hlcy1wb2xsLWZvci1hbGwtdGltZS10b3AtY29sbGVnZS1mb290YmFsbC1wbGF5ZXIiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJrUjdFanJEVGlQY2Nhd0pTaWFuY1QiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiUjRaUjJlb0JGcUxCNmVtazJHaXZmIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The top six finishers in the poll were all Heisman Trophy winners, further highlighting the elite company Walker belongs to [A](https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/130690/walker-wins-coaches-poll-for-all-time-top-college-football-player?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJrUjdFanJEVGlQY2Nhd0pTaWFuY1QiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiUjRaUjJlb0JGcUxCNmVtazJHaXZmIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LmVzcG4uY29tXC9ibG9nXC9uY2ZuYXRpb25cL3Bvc3RcL19cL2lkXC8xMzA2OTBcL3dhbGtlci13aW5zLWNvYWNoZXMtcG9sbC1mb3ItYWxsLXRpbWUtdG9wLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtcGxheWVyIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His victory in the poll underscores the respect and admiration he commands within the football community.
While other players like Tim Tebow, Bo Jackson, Barry Sanders, and Earl Campbell have left indelible marks on college football, Walker’s consistency, dominance, and ability to lead his team to a national championship set him apart. His legacy continues to inspire young athletes, and his name remains synonymous with excellence in college football.
Walker’s recognition as the greatest college football player of all time is a testament to his unparalleled contributions to the sport. His records, achievements, and influence ensure that his name will be remembered for generations to come. Whether through his electrifying runs, his leadership on the field, or his lasting impact on the game, Herschel Walker has earned his place at the pinnacle of college football history.
