2000-2009 All-Decade Team

Ten years is a long time. 

Ten years ago this time, I was a four-foot, ten-inch fourth grader celebrating my two-week holiday break from school.

Ten years ago, Michael Vick had taken the sports world by storm, carrying Virginia Tech to an unbeaten season and national championship berth against mighty Florida State.

Ten years ago, Ron Dayne broke Ricky Williams' all-time record for rushing yards in a career. Eleven years ago, Williams set that record. 

In the decade since that season, there have been many household names to come through college football, so it is only natural to name an all-decade team.

Even Al Groh couldn't screw this bunch up:

2000-2009 All-Decade Team

Offense

QB- Tim Tebow (Florida)

·      Arguably the best player of the decade, certainly one of the most decorated.

RB- Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)

·      Outstanding freshman season was enough to get him on this team despite injury-plagued sophomore and junior campaigns.

RB- Darren McFadden (Arkansas)

·      The original “Wildcat”, he dominated a game unlike any other player this decade.

FB- Owen Scmitt (West Virginia)

·      One of the few players who was able to draw TV time from the sideline with his insane helmet head-bashing rampages.

WR- Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech)

·      He never played a season in which he didn’t win the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s best receiver.

WR- Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech)

·      The best combination of unhuman strength and speed in a 6’4’’ frame maybe ever.

WR- Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh)

·      There has never been a better threat for the fade pass in the history of the game.

TE- Kellen Winslow II (Miami)

·      Very versatile at this position, definitely more of a pass-catcher, but no tight end did it better than him.

OL- Robert Gallery (Iowa)

·      A fierce pass protector helped Iowa to its first BCS bowl in 2002-03.

OL- Bryant McKinnie (Miami)

·      Was the blind-side protector for Ken Dorsey during the Hurricanes’ 34-game win streak in the early part of the decade.

OL- Jordan Gross (Utah)

·      Did not allow a sack in his final two collegiate seasons.

OL- Jake Long (Michigan)

·      The only offensive linemen to be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft this decade.

OL- Joe Thomas (Wisconsin)

·      Extremely athletic tackle was a great run blocker and pass protector for the Badgers.

UTILITY- Reggie Bush (USC)

·      Simply the most electrifying player in recent memory.

Defense

DE- Terrell Suggs (Arizona State)

·      Sack artist brought the quarterback down 24 times in his junior season.

DE- Elvis Dumervil (Louisville)

·      Similar player to Suggs, emerged from nowhere to be win numerous awards before turning pro.

DT- Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)

·      Nearly became the first defensive linemen to win the Heisman in 2009; no tackle changed a game like he could.

DT- Vince Wilfork (Miami)

·      A run-stuffing giant made it hard for teams to gain any ground against the Hurricanes.

OLB- A.J. Hawk (Ohio State)

·      Helped lead the Buckeyes to an undefeated 2006 regular season, how he never won the Butkus award will forever be a mystery.

MLB- Dan Morgan (Miami)

·      One of the hardest-hitting linebackers to ever wear a Miami uniform…hope Ray Lewis doesn’t read this!

OLB- Teddy Lehman (Oklahoma)

·      Four-year starter made Sooner fans forget about the great Rocky Calmus.

CB- Terrence Newman (Kansas State)

·      Probably the fastest player at this position at the collegiate level since 2000.

CB- Chris Gamble (Ohio State)

·      Gamble made big play after big play on both sides of the ball in the Buckeyes’ 2002 national title run.

S- Roy Williams (Oklahoma)

·      If you don’t remember how ridiculous this guy was in college, YouTube search “Roy Williams jump sack”; prepare to be amazed.

S- Ed Reed (Miami)

·      Before he scored touchdowns for the Ravens, he changed games with defensive scores in southern Florida.

Special Teams

K- Mike Nugent (Ohio State)

·      The strongest leg of any kicker eligible for this honor.

P- Daniel Sepulveda (Baylor)

·      Ray Guy award winner in 2004 and 2006, clearly the only choice for this award.

KR- C.J. Spiller (Clemson)

·      Seven kicks returned for touchdowns in his career rank him second all-time.

PR- Antonio Perkins (Oklahoma)

·      Tied for first place all-time with eight punt returns for touchdowns.