Utah football has really blasted onto the scene the last twenty years. Some of the biggest names in Utah football history to pass through Rice-Eccles Stadium in that time period. However, even in the down years of the '70s and '80s there were some names that people remember and consider some of the best of all time, but when it comes to Mount Rushmore, only four names can be on that mountain. In this week's episode of The U Fan Cast we discuss who is on our Mount Rushmore for Utah football!
Shane's Mount Rushmore
Alex Smith
- Heisman Finalist
- Sporting News National Player of the Year
- SI National Player of the Year
- Cingular Sports/ABC Sports All-American
- SI All-American (1st team)
- Davey O'Brien Award finalist
- Walter Camp Award finalist
- #1 Overall NFL Draft Pick
- 2013 NFL Pro Bowl
- 21-1 Record as a starter
Eric Weddle
- 2× Pro Bowl (2011, 2013)
- 4× All-Pro (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
- NFL Interceptions co-leader (2011)
- Chargers Defensive Player of the Year (2011, 2013)
- Consensus All-American (2006)
- MWC Defensive Player of the Year (2005, 2006)
- First-team All-MWC (2005, 2006)
- Emerald Bowl Defensive MVP (2006)
Brian Johnson
- 2005 All-MWC second team
- 2007 Poinsettia Bowl Offensive MVP
- 2008 All-MWC first team
- 2008 MWC Offensive Player of the Year
- 2009 Sugar Bowl MVP
- All-time winningest QB in Utah football history
Jordan Gross
- 3× Pro Bowl (2008, 2010, 2013)
- AP First-team All-Pro (2008)
- NFC Champion (2003)
- Sports Illustrated All-Pro (2003)
- Consensus All-American (2002)
- First-team All-Mountain West (2002)
- 8th overall pick in 2003 NFL Draft
Steven's Mount Rushmore
Alex Smith
Brian Johnson
Reggie Dunn
- First-team All-America kickoff returner by Athlon, ESPN and CBSSports.com
- Second-team All-America by Scout.com/FoxSports.com
- Honorable mention All-America by SI.com
- First-team All-Pac-12 kick returner
- Recipient of the 2012 College Football Performance Award (CFPA) Kickoff Returner Trophy
- Set NCAA single-season records for 100-yard kick returns for a touchdown (4)
- Set NCAA single-game marks for most 100-yard kickoff returns (2 vs. Cal on Oct. 27)
- Set NCAA single-game record for kick returns of any distance for a touchdown (2 vs. Cal) and kick return average (74.0 on three returns vs. Cal)
- Set three single-season school kick return records: 100-yard returns for a touchdown (4) and kickoff returns from any distance for a touchdown (4)
- Set school mark for KOR yards in a game (222 vs. Cal)
- All-time NCAA record holder for kick returns for touchdown (5)
Scott Mitchell
- Utes single season record for passing yards in a game (631, as well as second with 511)
- Utes career record for passing yards (8,981)
- Led the nation in 1988 in total offense for the season (4,299 yards), total offense for a game (625 yards), passing yards (4,322), and yards passing per game (392.9).
- Architect of the 1988 Rice Bowl, beating BYU 57-28 and ending an 11-year losing streak in the rivalry.
- Set the single-season Detroit Lions record for touchdowns (32) and passing yards (4,338) in 1995. (Both stood until recently broken by Matthew Stafford.)
Adia's Mount Rushmore
Alex Smith
Luther Ellis
- 2× Pro Bowl (1999, 2000)
- Consensus All-American (1994)
- WAC Defensive Player of the Year (1994)
- First-team All-WAC (1992, 1993, 1994)
- 20th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft
Erroll Tucker
- Two-time All WAC first team selection
- In 1985, Tucker led the nation in both punt and kickoff returns
- In 1985, at cornerback, Tucker intercepted six passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns
- First team All America in 1985
- Chosen to play in the East-West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl, and Blue-Grey All-Star Game
- Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 5th round of the 1986 NFL Draft
- Grey Cup Champion with the Calgary Stampeeders
For those who never saw Tucker, here's a refresher:
Urban Meyer
- 22-2 Career Record
- Two-time MWC Champion (2003 and 2004)
- 2003 AXA Liberty Bowl Champions (17-0 over Southern Mississippi)
- Finished 2003 season ranked 25 in the AP poll, 25 Coaches, and 22 in the BCS Standings
- Finished 2004 season ranked 5 in the AP poll, 6 Coaches, and 6 in the BCS Standings
- 2005 Fiesta Bowl Championship (35-7 over Big East Champion Pitt)
Which players in Utah football history are on your Mount Rushmore? Who would you remove from our lists?
Would you like to participate in a future recording of The U Fan Cast and share your thoughts, passion, and opinions? Email shane@theufancast.com or raven@theufancast.com and we'll get you on the show!
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