Wisconsin legends offensive tackle Joe Thomas and running back Jonathan Taylor both made ESPN’s Bill Connelly’s recent list of the top 25 college football players since 2000
Thomas made the list at No. 12, while Taylor snuck in at No. 25. They fell far from the list’s headliners of Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh, Texas Tech and Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield, Florida and Auburn QB Cam Newton, Texas QB Vince Young and Miami S Ed Reed.
Related: Position battles to follow as Wisconsin Badgers begin 2024 fall training camp
Connelly writes that Thomas ‘stands out’ among Wisconsin’s storied history of offensive linemen. The NFL Hall of Fame left tackle won the Outland Trophy in 2006, was named a unanimous All-American that year, was a two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection and had his entire career honored by a recent induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
He was impressively listed ahead of Buffalo LB Khalil Mack, Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald and Georgia DE David Pollack.
Taylor, meanwhile, rightfully made the list despite only playing three collegiate seasons. His three years included totals of 6,174 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns, plus 407 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. The all-time great running back left for the NFL after boasting two Doak Walker Awards (2018, 2019), two first-team All-America selections (2018-2019) and three first-team All-Big Ten selections (2017, 2018, 2019).
Both legendary Badgers have backed up their collegiate performance at the NFL level, a further indication of their greatness at their respective positions.
Well, I've ranked QBs, RBs, WRs and defenders, and you thought all those lists were perfect. There was only one thing left to do: Mash them all together (with OLs) into one list.
THE TOP 25 CFB PLAYERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
[immediately mutes conversation]https://t.co/2hCQdajJx0— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) July 29, 2024
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