I'll interpret the question as the *best college football players* to play at GT *since 1970* since that's 50 years ago and even if you're old enough to remember further back than that, it's a different game
1. Calvin Johnson - unquestionably, IMO. He was a WR, so his touches depend on the QB, OC, OL, etc. But the best CFB to play for us. Unanimous AA and the only player in the modern era to earn first team AA awards in multiple seasons.
2. Joe Hamilton - objectively the best college football player in 1999 and was robbed of the Heisman thanks to a lifetime achievement award given to Dayne in his worst college season.
3. Ken Swilling - one of 3 unanimous AAs in GT history, captain of national title team
4. Pressley Harvin - objectively the best in his position in college football, unanimous AA (Swilling and CJ only other 2 in GT history)
5. Shaq Mason - I'll take heat over this pick and that's fine, but I don't think there's been a bigger stalwart on our OL in the modern era. When we needed 1, 3 or hell 6-7 yards, we run it up his ass and he'd blow the DT off the line then go hunt for 2-3 more downfield. He could cut, sure, but he was just as productive putting you on your back. Great feet, hands, smarts, everything. I saw Nat Dorsey shut down Julius Peppers at the peak of his powers and that's the closest I've seen a GT OL come to how good Shaq was on a routine basis.
A few left out
DT - on the edge, just wasn't in the scheme to be all he could have been at the college level
Harrison Butker, all time leading scorer at GT. Tough to objectively call him top 5 in GT history. We've been blessed with a handful of strong players at that position that have been both consistent and clutch, and that muddies the waters a bit. I'm ignoring NFL success completely, though right now he's the best kicker in history except for Justin Tucker tha god
Michael Johnson, AA and tha freak - an absurd talent who as a youngster earned the knock that he took too many plays off, but god love him, so much fun to watch.
Tony Hollings, who barring a knee blowout 1/3 thru the season (vs Vandy, Clemson, UConn and BYU) was on track to match Barry Sanders' college football rushing TD pace (11 TDs in 3.5 games).
Gibbs, though barring injury I think it will become clear over the next 7 years what we had here.
Kelly Campbell - my lord, was he an incredible college WR.... Everything he did - route running, hands, speed (though I've read he's 40 was slow, his on-field speed and quickness in routes were absurd). With little Joe, probably the best weed smoker as well.
George Godsey - spectacular until that knee gave out, still holds so many records. 3IAR,B
Morgan Burnett, Derrick Morgan, Jon Dwyer - what a recruiting class, holy öööö
