Who is the greatest Razorback football player ever? Let us know ....

[Philip Seaton]

If you are like us at Game On with Wess Moore, we can never get enough football so why not stretch that into the summer?

During the month of May, we will be collecting your thoughts on the all-time Arkansas Razorback football players. After the results are tabulated, we'll release 100 through 51 at FoxSportsArkansas.com, then we will count down from number 50 to from number 1, one a day, starting in June, leading into what should be another exciting season.

The rankings are regardless of position, so any position, any year. The order is important so your all-time favorite or who you think is the all-time best in the top position and so on (current Razorback football players are excluded).

Now, the poll on this page http://www.foxsportsarkansas.com/rank-the-all-time-greatest-arkansas-razorback-football-players/ is limited to 25, we did that because, well, taking time to fill out 100 names may be too tedious for some. However, if that Razorback passion runs so deep and you want to rank 1 through 100, you can do so by sending an e-mail to philip@foxsportsarkansas.com.

Of course, those that at only want to go one or 10 down, they will be counted too, but why add not Ish Ordonez? Every vote counts but please limit to one person please.

The deadline to enter your rankings to get counted is 2 p.m. on May 27. Why 2 p.m.? Well, the show runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday on 93.7 FM in Benton and Little Rock, 99.7 FM in Hot Springs, 106.9 FM in Arkadelphia, 105.5 iFM n Nashville,  690 AM in Saline County and of course always streaming live at foxsportsarkansas.com.

Okay, we know that is shameless plug there, but you get the point. So put on your thinking cap (better a Hog Hat) and get your Hog Call heard.

Again, if you want to rank 1 through 100, send your rankings to philip@foxsportsarkansas.com.

Woo Pig Sooiee

[Pigsknuckles]

Not sure if he qualifies for "the Best", but the player I enjoyed watching the most was Matt Jones. Whenever the ball was in his hands you knew something great might happen. I still grieve for his disappointing professional performance.

[rhames]

McFadden would be it no question if we didn't crap the bed vs LSU and Florida in 2006

[ICEman]

Gary Anderson ran a 33 sec 330 yd (300m) at an indoor track meet.

[MJ2]

Not sure if he qualifies for "the Best", but the player I enjoyed watching the most was Matt Jones. Whenever the ball was in his hands you knew something great might happen. I still grieve for his disappointing professional performance.

Yes, he was/is the best.    Next question.

[code red]

Gary Anderson ran a 33 sec 330 yd (300m) at an indoor track meet.

Anderson was a beast no doubt....Kenoy Kennedy and Atwater gotta be up there too.

[EastexHawg]

Ronnie Caveness may be the best football player we've ever put on the field.  He was a tackling machine.  If he had been eligible four years like the players of today and had spent his entire career at linebacker the school record for career tackles would be out of reach.

[EastexHawg]

Yes, he was/is the best.    Next question.

Concur.  If Gomer had designed an offense for him and utilized him like and as much as Texas used Vince Young...but, alas, he WAS Gomer.  At the time Matt finished his eligibility he had run for more yards per carry than anyone in SEC history, but he didn't have enough carries to qualify.  The greatest broken field runner in the history of the SEC, and his coach couldn't figure out a way to get him more than 383 rushing attempts in four years.

Despite all that he still gained more yards and accounted for more touchdowns than any Hog in history.  All I knew from the first time I saw him with the ball in his hands was that I had never seen anyone like him.  I still haven't.

[Hugo Bezdek]

McFadden was definitely a once in generation type player...maybe the best.

If you're willing to let the NFL Draft be your guide, then Lamar McHan was the number 2 pick in the 1954 draft. That's a little before my time though    Dan Hampton and Billy Ray Smith, Jr were also Top 5 picks. Can't go wrong with either of those guys.

Loyd Phillips won the Outland Trophy, as did Bud Brooks.

[k.c.hawg]

I would start with several of our highest draft picks that I watched throughout their career, Billy Ray Smith Jr, Dan Hampton, DMac, Steve Atwater, Gary Anderson and a guy that is off the radar some but as enjoyable to watch as anyone I can remember Dirt Winston. I was at the USC game where he put on the most dominating defensive performance I've ever seen by a college player. A few guys I didn't see but were spoke of often by my dad Loyd Phillips (I saw a couple of years of) Lance Alworth, Lamar McHan and Clyde Scott.

I loved watching Matt Jones but couldn't come close to putting him in my top 10.

[Vantage 8 dude]

Interesting but totally subjective poll that will suffer from many participants not ever having seen such athletes such as Clyde Scott, Lamar McHan, Dave Hanner, Billy Ray Smith, Sr. and perhaps to some degree Lance Alworth. While this doesn't make the vote any less interesting, what it does do is very likely slant the results toward the more recent nominees who are far more likely to have eyewitnesses (and voters) to their performances/achievements. Whether that means the results are any less/more valid certainly is open to debate.

[Hugo Bezdek]

Concur.  If Gomer had designed an offense for him and utilized him like and as much as Texas used Vince Young...but, alas, he WAS Gomer.  At the time Matt finished his eligibility he had run for more yards per carry than anyone in SEC history, but he didn't have enough carries to qualify.  The greatest broken field runner in the history of the SEC, and his coach couldn't figure out a way to get him more than 383 rushing attempts in four years.

Despite all that he still gained more yards and accounted for more touchdowns than any Hog in history.  All I knew from the first time I saw him with the ball in his hands was that I had never seen anyone like him.  I still haven't.

Hands down the most squandered talent we've ever had on the Hill. MJ was electrifying. Nutt's lasting legacy as far as I'm concerned is that he wasn't able to win a championship with MJ or McFadden.

[wikipedia brown]

Not a number one, but, Sam Olajabutu (spelling) should be on that list somewhere. He played like his ass was on fire every down.

[RollHogTide]

My nominations would be - Joe Ferguson, Steve Atwater, Dan Hampton, Pat Summerall, and Brandon Burlsworth (emotional choice).

[Ex-Trumpet]

My votes would have to go to these guys, in no particular order:

Steve Atwater
Dan Hampton
Lance Alworth

And if kickers are considered football players then Steve Little would also be in the conversation.  (Pat Summerall may be the best known).

[pigture perfect]

Clyde Scott was the best probably, especially for his time. Lance Alworth, DMac, Dan Hampton, MJ, BRS II, Steve Atwater, Garry Anderson, Ronnie Caveness and Lloyd Phillips round out my Top 10.

[Chuck Beavers]

Lance Alworth

[Sivad]

Ronnie Caveness may be the best football player we've ever put on the field.  He was a tackling machine.  If he had been eligible four years like the players of today and had spent his entire career at linebacker the school record for career tackles would be out of reach.

A valid choice.

[26.2Hog]

Lance Alworth

Absolutely, positively, unequivocally.

[Torqued pork]

DMAC if It's just about playing college football.

[LZH]

Concur.  If Gomer had designed an offense for him and utilized him like and as much as Texas used Vince Young...but, alas, he WAS Gomer.  At the time Matt finished his eligibility he had run for more yards per carry than anyone in SEC history, but he didn't have enough carries to qualify.  The greatest broken field runner in the history of the SEC, and his coach couldn't figure out a way to get him more than 383 rushing attempts in four years.

Despite all that he still gained more yards and accounted for more touchdowns than any Hog in history.  All I knew from the first time I saw him with the ball in his hands was that I had never seen anyone like him.  I still haven't.

The first year I had my SEZ indoor seats was MJ's freshman season. Those seats were great because I could sit and watch the entire play unfold from the same perspective as the quarterback or the free safety. When he came in against Mississippi State, he immediately had about a 50-yard run. Every single kid on Mississippi state's defense had a shot at tackling him, but they absolutely just could not get him down. It was like a damn video game. I knew right then he was going to be something special. I just didn't know how special.

[thebignasty]

The first year I had my SEZ indoor seats was MJ's freshman season. Those seats were great because I could sit and watch the entire play unfold from the same perspective as the quarterback or the free safety. When he came in against Mississippi State, he immediately had about a 50-yard run. Every single kid on Mississippi state's defense had a shot at tackling him, but they absolutely just could not get him down. It was like a damn video game. I knew right then he was going to be something special. I just didn't know how special.

My dad and I were at that game, near the visitors section. We still talk about that game sometimes because neither of us had seen a guy like that.  Also because the misstate fans were more bemused than pissed- whenever Matt loped around and made some kind of bizarre miracle play even opposing fans couldn't deny being entertained.

DMac was probably a better player,  and certainly electrifying. Matt was the most fun I've ever had watching .500 football though.

[Justifiable Hogicide]

Lance Alworth

[Cinco de Hogo]

Matt Jones, any player that can make watching .500 football as entertaining as he did is special. At no other time in my life can I say that about a single player.  Usually winning comes before entertainment for me because it's a statewide achievement.  I can find other entertainment but there is only One Razorback.  There are 99 players I would put 2-100 and not care so much were they fall but my number one will always be Matt.

[rzrbackramsfan]

It's gotta be that 5* corner we had. Darrius Winston I believe was his name.

[BPsTheMan]

Wayne Watson

[fieldturf]

Don't forget about the thumper Wayne Harris!!!  Alworth was great also.

[bphi11ips]

How do you define "best football player"? 

If you define "best" by pure athleticism, you could make a good case for Clyde Scott, Lance Alworth, Jerry Eckwood (before his freshman knee injury), Steve Atwater, Matt Jones or Darren McFadden. 

If physical domination is the test, Loyd Phillips, Dan Hampton or Shawn Andrews are hard to beat.

For sheer ferocity, Dennis Winston would be hard to beat, with honorable mentions to Atwater and Ken Hamlin.

If it's football IQ and leadership, Bill Montgomery.  Honorable mentions to Hunter Henry and Quinn Grovey.

If the best player is one that carried his team on his back, Darren McFadden and Matt Jones would be hard to beat, but McFadden had more help than Jones.

If I had to choose one placekicker to kick a 50-yard FG to win a NC, it would be Zach Hocker.

If the best player is the best QB to build a team around, I'd go with Ryan Mallett.

At the end of the day, I would choose Darren McFadden as the best player I have ever seen in a Razorbacks uniform.

[reddogjcss]

Steve Atwater
Lance Alworth
Darren Mcfadden

[razorbacker3]

Come on guys.....2 time Doak Walker winner(best running back nationally)
                          TWO time Heisman Trophy runner up
                           All Time leading rusher in Razorback history
                          2nd all time in SEC rushing yards
nuff said

[Torqued pork]

nm

[arsuperhog]

I was the best ever.  You should of seen my stats that year I created myself on the Play Station!

[arsuperhog]

But seriously, I would put D-Mac 1 and Matt Jones 2.  Matt was electric with the ball in his hands, but D-Mac could play every position equally as well.  We might not have won a single SEC game in two years without him. 

[Bacons Rebellion]

Interesting but totally subjective poll that will suffer from many participants not ever having seen such athletes such as Clyde Scott, Lamar McHan, Dave Hanner, Billy Ray Smith, Sr. and perhaps to some degree Lance Alworth. While this doesn't make the vote any less interesting, what it does do is very likely slant the results toward the more recent nominees who are far more likely to have eyewitnesses (and voters) to their performances/achievements. Whether that means the results are any less/more valid certainly is open to debate.

Hey, I voted for Steve Creekmore on my list.

[PonderinHog]

Don't forget about the thumper Wayne Harris!!!  Alworth was great also.

Just think where Walt Disney would be without their inspiration!  We're talkin' about a whole industry here, folks!  No brainer.

[root_hawg]

Is it just his time as a hog or does it involve pro time cause that would shoot Dmac way down the list and Jason Peters way up...

[BigE_23]

The criteria for selection plays a big part in the answer. First of all, ERA is everything. The players of the 60s and 70s were great, but football was different and so were the men who played it. You had 250 pound offensive linemen then, versus the behemoths we see today. Second, are we just talking about their career at Arkansas, or their NFL careers as well? Because that changes things. Some of our best players weren't contributors in the league. That said, I would rank the GOATS with the following list:

1.) Lance Alworth
2.) Darren McFadden
3.) Steve Atwater
4.) Dan Hampton
5.) Shawn Andrews

Honorable mention: Ken Hamlin, Dick Bumpas, Brandon Burlsworth, Billy Ray Smith, Gary Anderson, Steve Little

[bvillepig]

1. McFadden
and a whole lot more tied for 2nd

[CallMeAl]

Richard LaFargue.

[Boardon Hamsay]

Wear Schoonover.

[Kenny Buzzhog]

Lots of people forget about Wayne Martin. Not saying the best but probably top 10 IMO. Had a pretty good pro career as well if I remember correctly.

[longtimeHogfan]

At the risk of giving hootie credit he doesn't deserve.....Shawn Andrews.  He once said that along the offensive line that's one spot he doesn't have to worry about.  Because Shawn Andrews' man won't be getting to the QB. 

[SantaHog]

Dan Hampton was the best I ever saw in a Razorback uniform.  Opposing offenses had to double him each down or run to the other side to have a chance.  Most of you haven't seen any footage of his games, except maybe the 78 Orange Bowl, but if you study the game you will enjoy watching the way he disrupted opposing offenses.   

[EastexHawg]

Dan Hampton was the best I ever saw in a Razorback uniform.  Opposing offenses had to double him each down or run to the other side to have a chance.  Most of you haven't seen any footage of his games, except maybe the 78 Orange Bowl, but if you study the game you will enjoy watching the way he disrupted opposing offenses.   

I only voted for five...and he was one of them.

[code red]

Jason Peters gotta be top 30.  For what he has done in the NFL.

[1964]

Alworth.

[HogMantheIntruder]

Interesting but totally subjective poll that will suffer from many participants not ever having seen such athletes such as Clyde Scott, Lamar McHan, Dave Hanner, Billy Ray Smith, Sr. and perhaps to some degree Lance Alworth. While this doesn't make the vote any less interesting, what it does do is very likely slant the results toward the more recent nominees who are far more likely to have eyewitnesses (and voters) to their performances/achievements. Whether that means the results are any less/more valid certainly is open to debate.

This is very true, and I fall into that category. So, with that disclaimer:

1) DMac- He was the best college RB, athlete, and overall football player I have ever seen.
2) Matt Jones- I mention him because I think he could have been the best, but he was hampered by a poor work ethic and equally poor coaching. I know, DMac had the same coach, but Hootie was never known as the "Running Back Killa".

[TOM "tbw1"]

Wayne Harris defined being a Razorback
Lamar McHan
Loyd Phllips
Dan Hampton
Clyde Scott
Lance Alworth

[MJ2]

Matt Jones, any player that can make watching .500 football as entertaining as he did is special. At no other time in my life can I say that about a single player.  Usually winning comes before entertainment for me because it's a statewide achievement.  I can find other entertainment but there is only One Razorback.  There are 99 players I would put 2-100 and not care so much were they fall but my number one will always be Matt.

+1

[El Puerco Grande]

It is just one man's opinion, but I think if Matt Jones had had the work ethic and attitude of Tim Tebow, along with a top notch coach, there wouldn't be any argument about the best ever. Jones was a laid back, lazy, biological freak.