NIL of the 2000s: Superstars of the New Millenium

© Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Like it, or not, NIL is here to stay, even though a millionaire coach in the SEC says his program is “not in the market for buying players.” At the dawn of the 21st century, coaches and athletic directors would have backed up a Brinks truck to persuade the players listed below to join their ranks.

*Author’s Note: This is not an all-inclusive list and is in no particular order.

NIL of the 2000s

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh

·       Larry Fitzgerald was a Unanimous All-American in 2003 under Head Coach Walt Harris.

·       Heisman Runner-up (2003)

·       Biletnikoff Award winner (2003)

·       Walter Camp Award (2003)

·       Big East Offensive Player of the Year (2003)

·       1,672 receiving yards, 22 TDs in 2003.

·       18 consecutive games with at least one touchdown catch (NCAA record).

·       34 receiving touchdowns, a Pitt record.

·       #2 wide receiver on ESPN’s 50 Greatest Wide Receivers-Past 50 Years.

·       #1 Pitt jersey retired.

·       College Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2024.

LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, TCU

·       LaDanian Tomlinson was a Consensus All-American in 2000 under Head Coach Gary Patterson.

·       2,158 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, led the nation in 2000.

·       Doak Walker Award winner (2000)

·       WAC Offensive Player of the Year (2000)

·       College career: 5,263 rushing yards in four years with the Horned Frogs.

·       College Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2014.

Reggie Bush, RB, USC Trojans

·       2005 Heisman Trophy winner under Head Coach Pete Carroll.

·       1,740 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns in 2005.

·       Doak Walker Award (2005).

·       Walter Camp Award (2005).

·       AP College Football Player of the Year (2005).

·       2-time Consensus All-American (2004-2005).

·       2-time PAC-10 Offensive Player of the Year (2004-2005).

Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas Razorbacks

·       2-time Doak Walker Award winner under Head Coach Houston Nutt, one of only two players to win the award twice (2006-2007).

·       Walter Camp Award (2007).

·       2-time Jim Brown Trophy winner (2006-2007).

·       Consensus All-American (2006).

·       2-time SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2006-2007).

·       3-time All-SEC (2005-2007).

·       1,830 yards rushing and 16 TDs (2007).

·       Career rushing totals: 4,590 yards, 41 TDs.

·       Most decorated player in Arkansas Razorbacks history.

·       College Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2019.

Tim Tebow, QB, Florida Gators

·       2-time BCS champion under Head Coach Urban Meyer (2006, 2008).

·       Heisman Trophy winner (2007).

·       2-time Maxwell Award winner (2007-2008).

·       Davey O’Brien Award (2007).

·       AP College Football Player of the Year (2007).

·       Consensus All-American (2007).

·       2-time SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2008-2009).

·       3-time 1st Team All-SEC (2007-2009).

·       University of Florida Football Ring of Honor (2018).

Stay tuned to College Football Dawgs for the final installment of this NIL series, the NIL Superstars of 2010-2019.