In the rich and storied history of college football, few names command the respect, reverence, and awe that Archie Griffin does. And now, after decades of debate, highlights, and arguments at barstools and barber shops alike, the verdict is in—Griffin has been officially named the Greatest of All Time in college football history. It’s a crowning achievement for a player whose legacy has stood the test of time, outshining other gridiron giants like Georgia’s Herschel Walker, Florida’s Tim Tebow, and Texas’ Earl Campbell.
To understand why Griffin has claimed this ultimate distinction, one must first revisit what he accomplished during his legendary run with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Griffin is the only player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy twice, securing the honor in both 1974 and 1975. While others have had brilliant single seasons, and some have even made strong cases over multi-year college careers, no one else has duplicated this feat. That fact alone sets Griffin apart, placing him in a class of his own even before delving deeper into his numbers and impact.
Griffin’s consistency, durability, and leadership were trademarks of his game. From the moment he stepped onto the field for Ohio State, he was a force. In his second game as a freshman, he rushed for 239 yards against North Carolina—a school record at the time. He would go on to rush for over 100 yards in 34 games, including an NCAA record 31 consecutive games. His career total of 5,589 rushing yards was, at the time, the highest in college football history. Griffin wasn’t just productive; he was historic.
But greatness is about more than statistics. It’s about moments, influence, and the ability to lift a team on one’s shoulders when it matters most. Griffin led Ohio State to four Big Ten titles and four Rose Bowl appearances under legendary coach Woody Hayes. While team success in the postseason varied, Griffin’s leadership and steady excellence gave the Buckeyes a national identity. He played with a maturity and purpose that resonated far beyond the confines of Ohio Stadium.
When placed alongside his peers in this GOAT conversation, Griffin’s case only grows stronger. Herschel Walker was a freight train in cleats, amassing 5,259 rushing yards in just three seasons at Georgia and winning the Heisman in 1982. Walker was dominant and nearly unstoppable, especially during Georgia’s national title run in 1980. But he had only three years to Griffin’s four, and never won more than one Heisman—though he was a finalist in all three seasons. Walker was legendary, but the longevity and sustained greatness of Griffin edge him out.
Then there’s Tim Tebow, the face of college football in the late 2000s and arguably the sport’s most polarizing figure. Tebow won the Heisman in 2007 and was instrumental in Florida’s two national championships during his time in Gainesville. His numbers were gaudy, his passion undeniable, and his leadership among the best the sport has ever seen. But Tebow was not even the full-time starter during his freshman season, and while he had a stellar career, his passing and rushing totals came in a system built to amplify his strengths. Griffin, meanwhile, thrived in a much more physical era with a focus on smashmouth football.
Earl Campbell of Texas is another all-time great, winning the Heisman in 1977 and terrorizing defenses with his bruising running style. Campbell’s 1,744 yards and 18 touchdowns in his Heisman season remain one of the best single-year performances ever, but like Walker and Tebow, Campbell did not have the extended dominance or back-to-back accolades that Griffin delivered.
Beyond the numbers and trophies, perhaps what makes Griffin’s selection as the greatest of all time most fitting is the grace and humility with which he carried himself. In an era long before social media and 24-hour highlight reels, Griffin’s fame came from what he did on the field and the way he did it—with quiet excellence and unwavering discipline. He was never boastful, never controversial. He simply lined up, did his job, and did it better than anyone else for four straight seasons.
Even after leaving college football, Griffin’s legacy has only grown. While others went on to lucrative and sometimes polarizing NFL careers, Griffin remained a beloved figure within the sport and in the Ohio State community. His post-football career has been a masterclass in giving back, from his work with the Ohio State Alumni Association to his involvement in countless charitable organizations. The respect he commands isn’t just about what he did with a football in his hands—it’s about who he is as a person.
The designation of “Greatest of All Time” is often difficult, contentious, and subjective. It involves comparing eras, styles, and philosophies. The game changes, the athletes evolve, and new stars emerge every season. But in naming Archie Griffin the greatest college football player ever, the sport has honored a man whose greatness transcended the turf. It has acknowledged a legacy that’s as enduring as it is unique.
It’s also a fitting tribute to Ohio State, one of the premier programs in college football history. From Woody Hayes to Jim Tressel, from Eddie George to C.J. Stroud, the Buckeyes have had no shortage of legends. But Griffin has always been at the heart of the program’s pride. His No. 45 jersey is iconic, not just for what it represents in terms of achievement, but for the humility and class that came with it.
For years, college football fans have debated who truly deserved the title of greatest ever. Some lean toward stats. Others favor big-game performances. Some value longevity, while others prioritize peak dominance. Griffin checks all the boxes. He was a workhorse, a winner, a record-setter, and a team player. He defined consistency. He thrived under pressure. And he did it all with a level of humility rarely seen in athletes of his caliber.
As college football continues to evolve—with NIL deals, expanded playoffs, and increased media attention—Griffin’s story serves as a reminder of a different era. An era where success was defined by heart, grit, and results on the field rather than personal brands and social media followings. That doesn’t mean modern players are any less deserving of praise, but Griffin’s legacy offers a purity that many fans find refreshing in today’s landscape.
The final verdict in the GOAT conversation will always spark debate. But with Archie Griffin now officially recognized as the greatest of all time, college football has acknowledged something that Ohio State fans and football historians have long known. In a sport built on toughness, tradition, and triumph, no one embodied those qualities more completely than the man who wore scarlet and gray with quiet dominance.
This honor also sends a powerful message to the next generation of players: greatness isn’t just about highlight reels or headline moments—it’s about showing up every day, doing your job, and doing it better than anyone else. It’s about being accountable, coachable, and relentless. Griffin did all of that and more. He didn’t just play the game—he elevated it.
Now, nearly five decades after his college career ended, Archie Griffin stands atop the college football mountain—not just as a two-time Heisman winner, but as the undisputed Greatest of All Time. It’s a title he never lobbied for, never sought, and never bragged about. But it’s one he earned with every yard, every carry, every win, and every quiet example of excellence. And now, the world finally agrees.
