00:00 – Top 25 College Football Players Since 2000 | CFB All-Quarter Century Team Revealed!
08:16 – College Football Legends: Top 25 Non-QBs of the Past 25 Years | SI’s Quarter-Century Week
16:51 – Top 25 College Football Teams of the Last 25 Years | Sports Illustrated
1. Top 25 College Football Players Since 2000 | CFB All-Quarter Century Team Revealed!
Dive into the greatest college football players of the 21st century! This video ranks the top 25 CFB stars since 2000, including Justin Jefferson, Joe Burrow, Calvin Johnson, and more. Discover iconic moments, stats, and why these players dominated college football despite NFL outcomes. From Heisman winners to under-the-radar legends, this list celebrates the best of the best. Don’t miss the story of Megatron’s record-breaking season, RGIII’s Heisman magic, and Tim Tebow’s leadership. Perfect for college football fans! #CollegeFootball #CFB #Top25Players #trump
2. College Football Legends: Top 25 Non-QBs of the Past 25 Years | SI’s Quarter-Century Week
Relive the greatest moments of college football’s past 25 years with Sports Illustrated’s Quarter-Century Week.
In this video, we count down the top 25 non-quarterback players who dominated the gridiron from 2000 to present.
From Reggie Bush’s electrifying runs to Travis Hunter’s record-breaking season, and from Ndamukong Suh’s defensive prowess to DeVonta Smith’s receiving mastery,
discover the athletes who made college football unforgettable.
Watch to see if your favorite player made the cut!
**Featured Players:**
– Reggie Bush (USC)
– Travis Hunter (Colorado)
– Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)
– DeVonta Smith (Alabama)
– And 21 more college football legends…
**Subscribe for more Sports Illustrated content and Quarter-Century Week specials!**
3. Top 25 College Football Teams of the Last 25 Years | Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated’s College Football Quarter-Century Week kicks off! We’re diving into the best teams of the past 25 seasons. From defensive juggernauts to back-to-back champions, we rank the top 25 college football teams. Which teams made the cut? Watch to find out!
This video explores the evolution of college football and highlights the most dominant programs of the last quarter-century. We analyze their key players, coaching strategies, and memorable moments.
#CollegeFootball #SportsIllustrated #Top25Teams #CFB #FootballHistory #BestTeams #Rankings #sportsbetting
Top 25 college football players since 2000. CFB all quarter century team revealed. The greatest college football players of the 21st century. Mike’s definitive top 25. The CFB all quarter century team. College football fans, brace yourselves. Trying to pick the absolute best players from the year 2000 onwards is a herculan task. Some incredible stars inevitably get left off. Yes, even Heisman winners and national champions aren’t guaranteed a spot. Take Michael Penn Jr. for example, a solid force at Indiana and a key player at Washington, but he didn’t quite make the cut. and memorable moments like David Pollock’s dominance against South Carolina in 2002 or Roy Williams unforgettable Superman play versus Texas in 2001. Those didn’t guarantee a listing either. Here’s the kicker. This list isn’t about NFL legends or pro success. Some guys fizzled in the NFL, but their collegiate greatness is what counts here. Let’s start by acknowledging some near misses. Exceptional players who just missed the top 25 nearly made the list. One, Cam Newton, QB, Florida Auburn, 2007 to 10. Two, Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma 2007-9. Three, Paul Puzzlesny, linebacker, Penn State, 2003-6. Four, David Pollock, linebacker, Georgia, 2002 to 4. Five, Javian Clowney, DN, South Carolina, 2011-13. Six, Michael Vic, QB, Virginia Tech, 1999 2000. Seven, Cedric Benson, running back, Texas, 2001-4. Eight, Jamar Chase, wide receiver, LSU, 2018 to 19. Nine, Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina, 1999 to 2001. 10, Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State, 2003 to6. Now on to the legendary 25, who truly define college football since 2000. 25, Calvin Johnson, wide receiver, Georgia Tech, 2004 to6. Johnson’s stats only hint at his dominance. While Georgia Tech ran an option offense, which traditionally limits passing, Johnson snagged 178 catches, accounting for a massive 33% of their completions, and 43% of their passing yards over three seasons. Leading the ACC multiple times in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, Johnson transitioned to a stellar NFL career with six straight Pro Bowls and an early retirement at 30 after setting impressive records. 24. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor, 2008 to1. RG3 faced a tough injury early but bounced back spectacularly. His 2010 and 2011 seasons were electric, culminating in him winning the 2011 Heisman. Griffin’s combination of 4,293 passing yards and 699 rushing yards in his senior year exemplified his dual threat ability. Although injuries shortened his NFL potential, his college legacy remains powerful, representing determination and comeback spirit. 23. Justin Jefferson, wide receiver, LSU, 2017 to9. Starting quietly as a freshman, Jefferson exploded alongside Joe Burrow, grabbing 165 catches over two seasons and leading the nation with 111 receptions in 2019, the year he helped secure LSU’s national championship. Now five NFL seasons in, Jefferson is already a four-time Pro Bowler and offensive player of the year. At just 25, his career trajectory is still soaring. 22. Terron Matthew, SLSU 2010 to 111. Known as the Honeybadger, Matthew packed a punch in just two college seasons with 11 forced fumbles, six sacks, and four interceptions, plus two punt return touchdowns. His impact was massive on defense and special teams. Drafted in the third round, Matthew defied expectations with multiple Pro Bowls and remains a top interception leader in the NFL. 21. Devont Smith, wide receiver, Alabama 2017 to 20. Smith’s evolution was remarkable from a supporting role early on to leading Alabama’s explosive 2020 offense. Winning the rare receiving triple crown and the Heisman Trophy that year, Smith produced one of the best wide receiver seasons ever in college football. He continues to rack up yards and receptions in the NFL, connecting under former college teammate Jaylen Herz. 20. Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech 2007 to8. In just two seasons, Crabtree was a gamecher for Texas Tech. Highlighted by an iconic upset of top ranked Texas, leading FBS in receptions and yards as a freshman, he became the cornerstone of Mike Leech’s air raid offense. His 41 touchdowns in two years make us wonder, what if he’d stayed longer? 19. Trevor Lawrence, quarterback, Clemson 2018 to 20. Lawrence announced himself with a national title win over Alabama as a freshman, followed by dominant ACC stats. Drafted first in 2021, his NFL journey has had ups and downs, but he’s already earned Pro Bowl honors. 18. Justin Blackman, quarterback, Oklahoma State, 2009 to1. After a slow start, Blackman exploded in his final two seasons, reminiscent of Barry Sanders brilliance at OSU. Leading FBS in receptions and touchdowns across 2010 and 2011, he was an electrifying player on the field. Off-field issues cut short his NFL career, a reminder that talent alone isn’t always enough. 17. Lamar Jackson QB Louisville 2015 to7. Jackson created highlight reels with his speed and arm strength, winning the Heisman in 2016 and running a lightning fast offense. The Ravens transformed their scheme around him, an NFL first. And he responded by becoming one of the most unique, productive quarterbacks in the league. 16. Leenian Tomlinson, RB, TCU, 1997 to 2000. LT dominated college football by rushing for over 2,000 yards in his senior year and ended with over 5,200 career yards, a huge mark. His versatility as both a runner and receiver laid the foundation for his NFL greatness. and leading the Pack 12 in rushing and returns. His 2015 season was nearly Heisman worthy. Despite injury setbacks, he emerged as one of the NFL’s top offensive weapons, succeeding as both a rusher and receiver. 13. Patrick Mahomes, quarterback, Texas Tech, 2014 to 16. with jaw-dropping passing yards and highlight real performances like the 734 yard game. College football legends, top 25 non-QBs of the past 25 years, CIS quarter century week. Who really left the biggest mark on college football without ever taking a snap under center? Some say quarterbacks get all the glory, but let’s set the record straight. The grid irons past 25 years belong just as much to superstars at every other position. Dive in and you’ll see why. But here’s where the debate starts to sizzle. Did we really get this list right? Welcome to the ultimate rundown of college football’s most gamechanging non-quarterbacks since 2000. We’re diving deep. Players, coaches, teams, even major scandals. But today, it’s all about the Titans at every position except quarterback. Get ready for some nostalgia, some shockers, and maybe a friendly argument or two. Let’s kick it off with the legends who truly changed the game. Reggie Bush electrified USC from the moment he arrived. He wasn’t just fast. He was a highlight reel in motion, juking defenders and zipping past tackles as a runner, receiver, and return man. Twice he racked up over 2,000 all-purpose yards and averaged a mind-boggling 7.3 yards per carry for his career. He helped USC claim two national championships, losing only two games during his college days. Both heartbreakers at the last second. Bush’s onfield brilliance made him a household name and put his moves in the all-time college football vault. Then there’s Travis Hunter, a player who simply broke the mold. As the nation’s top recruit in 2022, Hunter shocked everyone by choosing an H.B.CU, blazing a new trail for others to follow. When he moved up to the FBS with the Colorado Buffaloos, he barely missed a beat. Even injuries couldn’t slow him down much. Unbelievably, in 2024, he rarely left the field, often playing over 100 snaps a game on both offense and defense. He etched his name in history by winning both the Baltnikov top receiver and Bner top defensive player awards in the same season, not to mention snagging a Heisman Trophy. And this is the part most people miss. He didn’t just excel, he shattered expectations at every turn. Controversial. Ask yourself if we’ll ever see such two-way dominance again. Nadamong Su was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and coaches alike. Every snap, QBs had to frantically assess where Sue was lined up, knowing he single-handedly could collapse a play. Sue earned 16 or more tackles for loss in each of his final seasons and posted 12 sacks as a senior, nearly dragging Nebraska to a Big 12 title all by himself. He even tallied more interceptions than forced fumbles as a defensive tackle, which is practically unheard of. Sue was the first defender to become the AP player of the year in 2009, turning the middle of the field into his personal fortress. If anyone could have skipped college football and gone straight to the pros, it may have been Adrien Peterson. Even in a single full season at Oklahoma, he was almost impossible to bring down. Blazing speed, raw strength, and the rare ability to shed multiple wouldbe tacklers. Despite injuries, he logged three straight 1,000 plus yard seasons, scoring at least a dozen touchdowns each year. and finished second in the Heisman voting as a true freshman. Ed Reed’s final two years at Miami were legendary. He’s often cited as the prototype for the modern safety with almost supernatural instincts. He sometimes seemed to know where the ball would go before the quarterback even released it. Reed racked up 17 interceptions in 22 games as an upper classman, leading Miami to a near perfect 23-1 record and a national championship. Devonte Smith’s career at Alabama was bookended by epic moments. He scored the walk-off overtime winner as a freshman, then torched Ohio State in his final game. He was just the fourth wide out to capture the Heisman Trophy and led the country in receiving yards, catches, and touchdowns his senior year. An astounding achievement considering he faced nothing but powerhouse defenses. Smith finished his time at Alabama with one of the highest yards per catch averages in school history. Brock Bowers didn’t play in a pass-appy offense at Georgia. Yet some argue he might be the greatest college tight end ever. A claim bound to start some heated discussion. Bowers was an All-American each of his three seasons, took home back-toback Mackey awards for the nation’s best tight end, and was a crucial part of two national titles, not just as a top receiving option, but also as a dominant blocker. Larry Fitzgerald starred at pit for just two seasons, but he was a matchup nightmare, totally uncoverable. He caught touchdowns in 18 consecutive games, still an FBS record, and notched backto back 1,000yard seasons, as well as a campaign with 22 receiving TDs, the sixth most in college football history. Fitzgerald’s dominance led him to the Bletnikoff award and a near miss in Heisman voting as a sophomore. Christian McAffrey redefined versatility at Stanford, becoming the first to make the allpurpose yard stat truly iconic. He’s one of only seven players ever to have a 200yard rushing game with 100 plus receiving yards. As a sophomore, he shattered Barry Sanders all-time single season record with an astonishing 3,864 all-purpose yards. Just think about that number. Shifty, explosive, and consistently dangerous. McAffrey was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. Derek Henry came to Alabama with doubters focused on his size, but he proved them all wrong. As a junior, he had to split carries with other stars, yet won the Heisman and scored at least once in every game, posting one of the six best rushing seasons in FBS history. He forced countless defenders into making what some started calling business decisions about whether to actually attempt to tackle. Joe Thomas embodied what every NFL scout wants in a left tackle. Long, strong, and unflapable. He regularly stifled elite pass rushers at Wisconsin, protecting his quarterback’s blind side and paving the way for a series of dominant running backs. With Madison’s rich offensive line legacy, many still consider Thomas the gold standard. Before the term edge rusher took hold, Terrell Suggs was already living it. His 2002 season at Arizona State remains the NCAA’s all-time best for sacks, an almost unbelievable 24 in a season. Sucks totaled 44 career sacks in just 36 games and walked away with nearly every major defensive honor. Troy Palamalu was everywhere, sideline to sideline, always near the action. With his trademark flowing man, he became one of the most feared defenders thanks to his ability to force turnovers, attack the backfield, and stop plays dead in their tracks. Even the best offensive strategies rarely accounted for his level of playmaking. Aaron Donald consistently proved doubters wrong about his size. Top 25 college football teams of the last 25 years. Sports Illustrated. Prepare to dive into a quarter century of college football history with Sports Illustrated’s College Football Quarter Century Week. We’re rolling out the red carpet to celebrate and scrutinize the past 25 seasons, serving up rankings for the top 25 teams, quarterbacks, non-QB players, coaches, games, and scandals that have shaped the sport. Buckle up because we’re about to take a wild ride through time and it’s not always going to be pretty. But here’s where it gets controversial. Some of these changes have been for the better. Others, well, let’s just say they’ve left a bitter taste in many mouths. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s start with the basics. How this college football transformed over the past 25 years. And this is the part most people miss. It’s not just about the games. It’s about the economy, the geography, the ethics, and the legality of it all. Almost everything has changed. And we’re not just talking about a few tweaks here and there. We’re talking about a complete overhaul. So, grab your popcorn and get comfortable because we’re about to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of college football’s past 25 years. But first, let’s kick things off with a look at how college sports have been transformed into a nearly unrecognizable product. Monday, college sports transformed in the past 25 years to a nearly unrecognizable product. Imagine a world where the college football landscape is barely recognizable compared to what it was just 25 years ago. That’s the world we’re living in today. The economy of college sports has ballooned with TV deals and merchandise sales generating billions of dollars. But who’s seeing that money? The athletes, the coaches, the universities. And this is where it gets murky. The geography of college football has shifted dramatically with powerhouses emerging from unexpected places. But at what cost? The ethics and legality of it all have been called into question time and time again. From recruiting scandals to player safety concerns, the sport has seen its fair share of controversies. But is it all bad? Some would argue that these changes have made college football more exciting and competitive than ever before, but others, well, they’re not so sure. So, what do you think? Have these changes been for the better or for the worse? And where do you think college football is headed in the next 25 years? Let us know in the comments below. and stay tuned for our ranking of the 25 best college football teams of the past 25 years. We’re talking defensive and offensive juggernauts, back-to-back champions, and even a season so good that it still makes our list despite being vacated in the record books. But which teams made the cut? And who’s number one? You’ll have to tune in to find out. But first, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore the highs and lows of college football’s past 25 years. It’s been a wild ride to say the least. But one thing’s for sure, college football will never be the same. And that’s both a good and a bad thing depending on who you ask. So, grab your favorite team’s jersey, pour yourself a cold one, and get ready to relive the past 25 years of college football with Sports Illustrated. It’s going to be one heck of a
