Best Player Ever

[Cowbell]

Okay, since there isn't much to talk about in football for awhile, let's talk memories. Who was the best football player ever to come out of SDSU/SDSC?

[BitsTD]

Re: Best Player Ever

To lengthen the thread life I propose making an all time team and honorable mentions instead of just the best ever. Let's face it I don't know if anyone can argue with "the Little Ball of Hate".

[Cowbell]

Re: Best Player Ever

Good idea ... let's go:

1) Best quarterback
2) Best running back besides Josh Ranek
3) Best receiver
4) Best lineman
5) Best tight end
6) Best defensive lineman
7) Best linebacker
8) Best defensive back
9) Kicker
10) Punter

This ought to be interesting bringing in the perspectives of people who have watched the program for many years.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Best Player Ever

I'm just throwing out names of players that I remember for discussion purposes. I'll also be interested in what some of the other, longer-tenured fans will say:

1) Best quarterback: Ted Wahl, Brad Nelson, Ryan Berry
2) Best running back besides Josh Ranek: Cory Koenig, Rick Wegher
3) Best receiver: Josh Davis, Jeff Tiefenthaler
4) Best lineman: Lyn Boden, Adam Timmerman, Jim Langer
5) Best tight end: Chris Wagner (I think Cochart will be on this list when he's done)
6) Best defensive lineman: Somebody will have to help me here
7) Best linebacker: And here
8) Best defensive back: Wayne Rasmussen
9) Kicker: Parker Douglass, Adam Vinatieri
10) Punter: Wasn't Adam Vinatieri a pretty good punter?

[SturgisJeff]

Re: Best Player Ever

Running Back Les Tuma 1970-1973 number four on all time career rushing leaders 3.018 yds number 9 and 10 rushing yds in a season 1972 1061, 1973 1,052.

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: Best Player Ever

I'm just throwing out names of players that I remember for discussion purposes. I'll also be interested in what some of the other, longer-tenured fans will say:

1) Best quarterback: Ted Wahl, Brad Nelson, Ryan Berry
2) Best running back besides Josh Ranek: Cory Koenig, Rick Wegher
3) Best receiver: Josh Davis, Jeff Tiefenthaler
4) Best lineman: Lyn Boden, Adam Timmerman, Jim Langer
5) Best tight end: Chris Wagner (I think Cochart will be on this list when he's done)
6) Best defensive lineman: Somebody will have to help me here
7) Best linebacker: And here
8) Best defensive back: Wayne Rasmussen
9) Kicker: Parker Douglass, Adam Vinatieri
10) Punter: Wasn't Adam Vinatieri a pretty good punter?

I believe Adam was an all conference punter. Don't think he really came into his own kicking until after he graduated.

[sfjacksfan99]

Re: Best Player Ever

Just for the record, i'm in the younger crowd too.

1) Best quarterback: Wahl
2) Best running back besides Josh Ranek: I think Kyle Minett will be
3) Best receiver: Tiefenthaler
4) Best lineman: Timmerman
5) Best tight end: Steve Heiden
6) Best defensive lineman: Zach Carter
7) Best linebacker: Doug Miller or MilwaukeeJacksAlum
8) Best defensive back: Mike Jaunich
9) Kicker: Parker Douglas
10) Punter: Tom O'Brien

[sfjacksfan99]

Re: Best Player Ever

I believe Adam was an all conference punter. Don't think he really came into his own kicking until after he graduated.

O'Brien is a three time all-american.

[NoVaJack]

Re: Best Player Ever

Pretty sure Langer played linebacker in college.

Tuma was a heck of a running back on not-so-good teams, but you could make a case for Darwin Gonnerman in the late 1960s as at least in the top three.

Gary Hyde in the early 60s was a bruiser of a fullback.

Pete Retzlaff was a prototype H-Back long before they called it that; five time all pro.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Best Player Ever

1) Best quarterback: Ted Wahl
2) Best running back: Pete Retzlaff
3) Best receiver: Tiefenthaler
4) Best lineman: Langer
5) Best tight end: Heiden
6) Best defensive lineman: Kevin Tetzlaff
7) Best linebacker: Bruce Klosterman
8) Best defensive back: Wayne Rasmussen
9) Kicker: Adam Vinatieri
10) Punter: Tom O'Brien

Pretty impressive list. Langer is the only NCC player in the NFL HOF and Vinatieri will join him there.

[NoVaJack]

Re: Best Player Ever

1) Best quarterback: Ted Wahl
2) Best running back: Pete Retzlaff
3) Best receiver: Tiefenthaler
4) Best lineman: Langer
5) Best tight end: Heiden
6) Best defensive lineman: Lyn Boden
7) Best linebacker: Bruce Klosterman
8) Best defensive back: Wayne Rasmussen
9) Kicker: Adam Vinatieri
10) Punter: Tom O'Brien

Pretty impressive list. Langer is the only NCC player in the NFL HOF and Vinatieri will join him there.

Boden played offensive tackle.


Ron Meyer, qb in mid-60s, was awfully, awfully good, believe played pro ball for a little bit.... Steelers, maybe.

[BitsTD]

Re: Best Player Ever

1) Best quarterback: Ryan Berry
2) Best running back: Minnette
3) Best receiver: Davis and Tiefentaler
4) Best lineman: Matt Berry, Timmerman, Langer, Erickson,
5) Best tight end: Heiden
6) Best defensive lineman: Zach Carter inside, Jason Aune outside
7) Best linebacker: Jimmy Rogers by the time he is done
8) Best defensive back: Casey Hillman
9) Kicker: Adam Vinatieri
10) Punter: Tom O'Brien


Keep in mind my knowledge of the Jacks before 1996 is very limited.

[EQguy]

Re: Best Player Ever

I think you all are forgetting Kevin Tetzlaff was a force to be reckoned with as a D-lineman.

Also gotta give love to Parker Douglass as a kicker. Vinny is a great pro but I'd bet Stig never tried a 65 yard field goal when Vinny kicked

[UWMandSDSU]

Re: Best Player Ever

I'm just throwing out names of players that I remember for discussion purposes. I'll also be interested in what some of the other, longer-tenured fans will say:

1) Best quarterback: Ted Wahl, Brad Nelson, Ryan Berry
2) Best running back besides Josh Ranek: Cory Koenig, Rick Wegher
3) Best receiver: Josh Davis, Jeff Tiefenthaler
4) Best lineman: Lyn Boden, Adam Timmerman, Jim Langer
5) Best tight end: Chris Wagner (I think Cochart will be on this list when he's done)
6) Best defensive lineman: Somebody will have to help me here
7) Best linebacker: And here
8) Best defensive back: Wayne Rasmussen
9) Kicker: Parker Douglass, Adam Vinatieri
10) Punter: Wasn't Adam Vinatieri a pretty good punter?

Defensive Lineman: Zach Carter & Kevin Tetzlaff
Linebacker: Doug Miller (or did he play DE?)
Kicker: Parker, Brett Gordon, Vinatieri
Punter: O'Brien

[Nidaros]

Re: Best Player Ever

Boden played offensive tackle.


Ron Meyer, qb in mid-60s, was awfully, awfully good, believe played pro ball for a little bit.... Steelers, maybe.

I was on campus when Ron played at SDSU. I had doubts that he played in NFL at all but according to media guide Ron did indeed play for Pittsburgh in 1966. His favorite target was Ed Maras, from Windom Mn, who has the distinction of being drafted for both football and baseball. Ron and Ed were on the 62 and 63 teams that won the NCC, but after 63, SDSU kind of went south in terms of wins. I believe Ron still ranks among the top passing qbs.

I think picking players for all time is at best a hard task because the game has changed so much. Cleve Abbott was a great Center before WWI, and he played both ways and was also a great linebacker. I dont think most athletes today would be able to do this because, the game is more specialized and probably more demanding physically. I believe also Cleve Abbott was the first football player to get regional recognition on an all star team for the upper midwest.