ESPN REPORT: Peyton Manning Crowned Greatest of All Time in College Football.
ESPN has named Tennessee Volunteers legend Peyton Manning as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in college football.
The announcement comes after weeks of fan voting, expert analysis, and debate, with Manning edging out fierce competition from Georgia’s Herschel Walker, Florida’s Tim Tebow, and Ohio State’s only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin.
Manning, who played at the University of Tennessee from 1994 to 1997, left an indelible mark on the college game. He threw for over 11,000 yards and 89 touchdowns during his four years in Knoxville and finished second in the 1997 Heisman Trophy voting. While he never captured a national championship, Manning’s leadership, consistency, and sheer impact on the Volunteers program helped elevate Tennessee into a perennial national contender.
ESPN analysts cited Manning’s influence on the quarterback position, his cerebral approach to the game, and his enduring legacy as deciding factors in his selection. “Peyton changed how college quarterbacks prepared and played. His presence at Tennessee was transformative,” said one panelist.
While Herschel Walker’s power-running dominance in the early 1980s, Tim Tebow’s dual-threat heroics and two national titles, and Archie Griffin’s unprecedented back-to-back Heismans made this an elite group of finalists, Manning’s overall contribution to the game stood out.
Vols fans across the nation erupted in celebration as the news broke, with many viewing this recognition as long overdue. Manning, now a Hall of Fame NFL quarterback and media personality, responded with characteristic humility: “College football gave me some of the best years of my life. I’m honored to represent Tennessee and grateful for this incredible recognition.”
For many, Manning’s name is now etched not just in Vols history, but among the sport’s eternal icons.
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