The Big Ten Network will be producing a series this month on the "Mount Rushmore" of football players for every school in the conference. Two schools will be featured on every TV episode, and they will regularly write about this on BTN.com. On the Banks is proud to be a partner in this effort.
BTN has already developed a list of Rutgers greats. Are there some missing from the list that I would have put on? Absolutely, but there is no one on the list who I wouldn't have there. Today we present you with the alphabetical list of Rutgers greats, players who deserve to be on our Mt. Rushmore of football, and your vote will determine who is anointed. In our follow up article tomorrow, we'll provide you with the link to vote for Rutgers' greatest players.
Bill Austin (1956-58)
- Rutgers Football Hall of Fame Inductee, 1988
- Finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting, 1958
- AP First-team All-American Fullback, 1958
- His 32 TD's during career are second in school history, while his 13 career INT's are one short of school record
- Led Rutgers to 1958 Middle Atlantic Conference University Division title (one of five conference championships in school history)
Marco Battaglia (1992-95)
- Rutgers Football Hall of Fame Inductee, 2007
- Consensus All-American, 1995
- Finished his career with school record 171 receptions for 2,221 yards
- His 10 TD catches in 1995 remains tied for single-season school record
Deron Cherry (1977-80)
- Rutgers Football Hall of Fame Inductee, 1993
- Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey Inductee, 1996
- Two-time All-ECAC selection, 1979-80
- Team MVP and Co-Captain, 1980
- NFL 1980's All-Decade Team, Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Honor & 6-time Pro Bowl selection
Eric Foster (2004-07)
- FWAA First-Team All-American Defensive Tackle, 2006
- Two-time First-Team All-Big East, 2006-07
- Defensive leader of 2006 team that finished 11-2, including win over #3 Louisville
- Started in first bowl victory in school history, 2006 Texas Bowl vs Kansas State
- 2006 team finished 4th in FBS total defense
Homer Hazel (1916, 1923-24)
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee, 1951
- Walter Camp All-American End (1923) and Fullback (1924)
- Set school records for most PAT's and longest pass during 1924 season
- Lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track at Rutgers
- Scarlet Knights finished 14-2-2 during final two seasons, 1923-24
Alex Kroll (1960-61)
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee, 1997
- Consensus All-American center, 1961
- Captain of 1961 team, Rutgers first undefeated squad (9-0)
- Middle Atlantic Conference University Division champions, 1960-61
- Started career at Yale in 1956 before serving in Army for three years (teams were 25-2 in three seasons)
Eric LeGrand (2008-10)
- Only player in school history to have number retired (#52)
- Rutgers honorary captain vs Penn State, 2014
- Appeared in 31 games in three seasons
- Became paralyzed while making a tackle in 2010
- Addressed graduating class at May, 2014 commencement
Brian Leonard (2003-06)
- Rutgers' #2 Player of the Decade by Newark Star Ledger, 2009
- Three-time All-Big East selection, 2004-06
- Finished career with school records for receptions (207), total TD's (45) and points scored (272)
- His streak of 47 consecutive games with a reception is a Big East record
- 2006 Draddy Trophy winner (now known as Campbell Trophy, recognizing college football's "Academic Heisman")
Paul Robeson (1915-18)
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee, 1995
- Rutgers Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, 1988
- Third African-American student ever enrolled at Rutgers and first to be a member of the football team
- Two-time All-American End, 1917-18
- Earned 15 varsity letters at Rutgers in football, basketball, baseball and track & field
Tyronne Stowe (1983-86)
- Three-time All-ECAC selection, 1984-86
- Finished career with school records for total tackles (533) and solo tackles (326)
- Led team in tackles during 1985-86 seasons (two of four 150+ tackle seasons in Rutgers' history)
- Played for four teams during nine-year NFL career, 1987-95
- His school-record 27 tackles in 1986 and 22 in 1985 are two highest tackle totals ever by a West Virginia opponent