11 of the best Florida Gators football players ever
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Emmitt Smith: 1987-1989
The Florida Gators football team is one of the most prestigious programs in college football. The Gators have won three national championships since 1996, behind some of the best players in the NCAA.
One of the best Gators ever is Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher. In his first start at running back, Smith broke Florida's all-time single game rushing record, toting the rock 39 times for 224 yards and two touchdowns in an upset win over Alabama.
In three seasons with Florida, Smith set 58 school records before joining the NFL.
He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. He's one of the Gator Greats, but there are more talented Florida players.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports -
Tim Tebow: 2006-2009
In Tim Tebow's first season as the Gators' starting quarterback, he became the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy.
In 2008, Tebow led Florida to a 13-1 record and, ultimately, the national championship. The school's second national championship in three years.
Tebow set five NCAA, 14 SEC and 28 school records in his career. He is one of the most prolific and popular players in NCAA history.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport, USA TODAY Sports -
Steve Spurrier: 1963-1966
The old ball coach led the University of Florida back to prominence as the team's head coach from 1990 to 2001. But many Gator fans will remember Steve Spurrier as the Heisman Trophy-winning QB in 1966.
Spurrier was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 after being named an All-American twice in his three years as starting QB with Florida.
There might not be a person who has impacted the Gators program more than Spurrier.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports -
Jack Youngblood: 1968-1970
Jack Youngblood was one of the best defenders in the university's history. In 1969, Youngblood set a school record with 14 sacks, highlighted by a five-sack performance against rival Florida State.
Youngblood is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and was elected to the Florida Gator All-Century team in 1999.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE -
Danny Wuerffel: 1993-1996
In 1996, Danny Wuerrfel became one of the rare players to win a Heisman Trophy and a national championship in the same season.
Wuerrfel was a member of four SEC championship teams in his collegiate career, and is one of the most decorated QBs in the school's history.
He was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports -
Percy Harvin: 2006-2008
Percy Harvin goes down as one of the most dynamic players in Gator football history. The athletic wide receiver-running back hybrid won two national championships while playing in Gainesville.
Harvin finished his career with 32 touchdowns, the most by a receiver in the university's history.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Andrew Weber, Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports -
Cris Collinsworth: 1977-1980
Cris Collinsworth was recruited to Florida as a QB before making the switch to wide receiver, which worked out pretty well.
Collinsworth was a prolific receiver in college and the NFL. He was named first-team All-SEC in three consecutive seasons. He was inducted as a Gator Great in the school's athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Chris Humphreys, Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports -
Jevon Kearse: 1995-1998
Jevon Kearse was so good as a Gator that opposing teams gave him the nickname "The Freak," which stuck with him throughout his career.
Kearse was a key cog on Florida's 1996 national championship team. He finished his collegiate career as one of the best pass rushers in team history with 16.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports -
Fred Taylor: 1994-1997
Despite being plagued by injuries, Fred Taylor had an outstanding career with the Gators. He was a member of the 1996 national championship team, and was named Florida's MVP the following season.
His senior year was his best. Taylor ran for nearly 1,300 yards while scoring 13 touchdowns.
Taylor was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a Gator Great in 2010.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports -
Joe Haden: 2007-2009
As a freshman, Joe Haden burst onto the scene in Gainesville. He was the first true freshman corner to ever start on opening day for Florida.
His junior season, and last with the Gators, was the corner's peak. He recorded four interceptions and three sacks. Haden was selected as a unanimous first-team All-American and was voted as the National Defensive Player of the Year by Sporting News.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports -
Rex Grossman: 1999-2002
Rex Grossman is one of the best QBs in school history. He was the runner-up to the Heisman Trophy in 2001, his junior season.
In his three-year collegiate career, Grossman led the Gators to bowl games each season. He was elected as a Gator Great in 2013.
(Photo: USA Today)
Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn, Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
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