FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (BVM) — For 127 years, the Arkansas Razorbacks have taken the field. So many talented players have put on the Razorback uniform, but only a handful can be included among the greatest ever.
Clyde Scott (No. 12) was the first Razorback to have his number retired. (Credit: Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics )
One of the Razorbacks’ earlier stars, “Smackover,” played a pivotal role in Arkansas’ success. He played for the Razorbacks from 1946-49 but really made a name for himself in 1948 when he won a silver medal in the Olympics and then would report to camp following the games. During his career he rushed for 1,463 yards and averaged seven yards a carry. He was the first Razorback athlete to win an Olympic medal. His No. 12 is one of two jerseys retired by the university.
Brandon Burlsworth is considered the greatest walk-on of the BCS era. (Photo: University of Arkansas Athletics)
There may be better offensive linemen to come through Fayetteville, but there may not be one more respected than Burlsworth. He took a chance on himself, joining the team as a walk-on. He was redshirted in 1994 and after transforming himself into a Division 1 offensive lineman, he earned a full scholarship. He would go on to become a starting lineman in 1996 and would play up until his final game in the Florida Citrus Bowl in 1999. Burlsworth started 34 straight games for the Razorbacks. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. But two weeks later he would pass away in a car accident. Burlsworth is the second player to have his number (No. 77) retired by the Razorbacks.
Smith Jr. is the only two-time unanimous All-American (1981-82) in Arkansas history. He also has 299 career tackles and 63 tackles for loss. Having those numbers helped Smith Jr. get drafted in the top five (No. 5) of the 1983 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Smith Jr. would play with the Chargers for 10 years and would be awarded second-team All-Pro 1989. Smith Jr. would be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
As a senior, Hampton was named the Southwest Conference Player of the Year. Hampton finished 237 career tackles. Hampton was also a member of the 1985 Bears defense known as “Monsters of the Midway.” He played in 157 total games and is renowned as one of the top players in Bears history. He is also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It’s hard to imagine putting someone over McFadden as the No. 1 player to come through Fayetteville. He is not only one of the best Razorbacks, but he is one of the best college football players ever. Following a 1,113-yard freshman season, McFadden would go on to have two remarkable seasons in 2006 and 2007. He would capture the Doak Walker Award twice, finish as the runner up for the Heisman Trophy twice and was named to the All-American team twice. McFadden currently holds Arkansas’ rushing record with 4,590 career yards. That also ranked third in SEC history. He is also one of the three SEC players in history to rush for 1,000 yards in his first three seasons. McFadden would go on to the NFL where he would be taken fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders. In 10 years in the NFL, he rushed for 5,421 yards and 28 TDs. He finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys, but he’ll always be remembered as the top Arkansas Razorback football player.
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