The 1990s were a great decade for college football, which was jam-packed with superlative talent that helped shape the sport into what it is today.
While modern approaches to the game, as well as improved training regimens and diet, have continued to push things forward, one can still look back at the top players of the era in amazement. That is exactly what The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman recently did in his rankings of college football’s top 25 players of the 1990s.
Among those listed is Danny Wuerffel, one of the all-time great Florida Gators who helped lead the Orange and Blue to its first-ever national championship while earning the program’s second Heisman Trophy. For his efforts, Feldman ranks him at No. 14 — between Florida State Seminoles linebacker Marvin Jones and Michigan Wolverines wide receiver and kick returner Desmond Howard, respectively.
“The 6-2, 209-pound Wuerffel didn’t have a rocket arm or blazing speed, but he operated Steve Spurrier’s offense better than anyone, leading the Gators to four SEC titles,” Feldman offers. “He also went 4-0 against Tennessee and 45-6-1 overall as a starter, developing from the SEC’s Freshman of the Year in 1993 to third in the Heisman race in 1995 to a Heisman win in 1996, when he led the Gators to their first national championship.”
Over the course of his four-year collegiate career, Wuerffel recorded 10,875 yards passing with 114 touchdowns through the air, along with eight rushing TDs, and 42 interceptions. His best season was his senior year, when he won the Heisman Trophy with 3,625 passing yards, 39 TDs (2 rushing TDs) and 13 INTs.
Wuerffel holds a spot among Florida football’s Ring of Honor and was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame back in 2013. He is also the namesake of the Wuerffel Trophy, which is awarded annually to the college football player who best exhibits community service.
Ranking college football’s top 25 players of the 1990s
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Where Danny Wuerffel ranks among top 25 football players of 1990s
Reporting by Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire | USA TODAY Network
