ESPN REPORT: Peyton Manning Named Greatest of All Time in College Football — Vols Legend Tops Herschel Walker, Tim Tebow, and Archie Griffin
Knoxville, TN — In a moment that cements his legacy among the immortals of college football, Tennessee Volunteers legend Peyton Manning has been officially named the Greatest of All Time in college football, according to an ESPN national poll and expert panel review. The announcement, part of ESPN’s “College Football GOAT” series, places Manning above a legendary list of contenders, including Georgia’s Herschel Walker, Florida’s Tim Tebow, and Ohio State’s two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin.
The news has electrified the college football world and ignited celebration across the University of Tennessee community. Manning, who starred at Tennessee from 1994 to 1997, was not only a generational talent at quarterback but also one of the most respected leaders in the history of the sport.
“Peyton Manning didn’t just play the game — he elevated it,” said ESPN’s Rece Davis during the broadcast reveal. “His intelligence, poise, and passion transformed Tennessee into a national powerhouse and redefined what it meant to be a college quarterback.”
Although Manning famously finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 1997 — a result still debated by fans — he has now earned the highest possible recognition in the eyes of the college football world. In a voting process that combined fan participation, media analysis, and input from former players and coaches, Manning’s body of work, legacy, and impact ultimately stood above the rest.
During his four years at Tennessee, Manning threw for over 11,000 yards and 89 touchdowns. He led the Vols to an SEC Championship in 1997 and left the program as the winningest quarterback in its history. Beyond stats, however, it was his leadership, sportsmanship, and football IQ that made him the face of college football in the late 1990s.
“He was a coach on the field,” said former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer. “Peyton studied film like no other, inspired his teammates, and carried himself with class. He represented Tennessee with pride and excellence.”
Beating out names like Herschel Walker — Georgia’s powerhouse running back and 1982 Heisman winner — and Tim Tebow — the Florida Gators icon known for his leadership and championships — was no small feat. Many considered Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman winner in history, as Manning’s biggest competition. But voters favored Manning’s consistency, record-setting performances, and long-term impact on the game.
Manning, now a Pro Football Hall of Famer and beloved sports personality, responded to the honor with trademark humility.
“I’m incredibly honored and honestly a bit overwhelmed,” Manning said. “College football has meant so much to me and my family. My time at Tennessee shaped who I am today. I share this recognition with my coaches, teammates, and the amazing fans of Vol Nation.”
The University of Tennessee immediately celebrated the news, with the school’s iconic Neyland Stadium lit up in orange and white and digital displays across campus proclaiming Manning as the GOAT. Social media exploded with tributes, memories, and calls to rename various awards and landmarks in his honor.
As the college football world reflects on this monumental recognition, one truth is clear: Peyton Manning’s name will forever be etched in history—not just as a Hall of Famer or a Vols legend—but now as the Greatest of All Time in the sport he helped define.
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