So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 5
No. 5:
Our pick:
==Reggie Bush, USC football (2003-'05)
The number "619" may also be as popular on the eye black as the No. 5 was on his Trojans uniform. The 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, and the fifth-place finisher in the '04 voting behind teammate Matt Leinart -- even though Bush didn't start any games. In fact, he only started 15 times in his 39 games at USC. A technicality, obviously, but something that seems rather odd.
As a sophomore, he led the Pac-10 in all-purpose yards (2,330) and also threw for one TD, to go with his 908 yards rushing and sixth touchdowns and 509 yards receiving for seven TDs.
In his junior, and final season, he was also the AP player of the year, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Doak Walker Award winner for the nation's best running back. He led the nation with an average of 222.3 all-purpose yards per game. and finished fourth in the NCAA Division 1-A ranks with an average of 133.85 yards per game rushing. He led the Trojans with 1,740 yards on 200 carries, scoring 16 touchdowns. He was also the third-best receiver with 37 catches for 478 yards. He returned 18 points for 179 yards and a touchdown, plus gained 493 yards in 28 kickoff returns.
And had he not pushed Leinart into the end zone against Notre Dame at South Bend, the Trojans may not have gone onto an undefeated regular season.
For his career, he amassed 6,551 all-purpose yards (10th in NCAA Division I-A). Almost half of those came rushing (3,169 yards), with 1,301 receiving, 1,522 on kickoff returns and 559 on punt returns. SI.com decided he was more deserving of Notre Dame's Paul Hornung to have ownership to No. 5 in college football history (even though in its list of all athletes who've ever worn No. 5, Hornung was named runnerup to Joe DiMaggion, but Bush wasn't in the same conversation -- see below).
Bush could have been the first choice of the Houston Texans with the first pick of the 2006 NFL draft, but he went second to New Orleans, and took No. 25.
As ESPN/ABC moves through this season naming its Top 25 players in college football history, Bush has already made the list at No. 24, for playing just three seasons. And he won't try to lateral the honor back to some walk-on freshman trailing on the play.
Runner ups:
==Brian Downing, Angels ('78-'90)
==Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers ('06- )
==Kenny Easley, UCLA football ('77-'80) (number is retired by UCLA)
==Robert Horry, Lakers ('96-'03)
Other No. 5s:
==Mike Marshall, Dodgers outfielder ('81-'89)
==Jim Lefebvre, Dodgers ('65-'72)
==Jordan Farmar, Lakers ('06- )
==Jim McMillian, Lakers ('70-'73)
==Kevin Ingram, Avengers ('02- )
==Bob Murdoch, Kings ('73-'79)
==Dieter Brock, Rams (’85)
==Baron Davis, UCLA basketball ('97-'99)
==Bobby Doerr, Hollywood Stars (PCL)
==Misty May, Long Beach State women's volleyball ('95-'98; number is retired by team)
==Troy Tulowitzki, Long Beach State baseball ('03-'05)
Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 5: Joe DiMaggio, over Johnny Bench, Paul Horning and George Brett.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours:
Comments
Ken McMullen, a good tongue twister to place next to Jim McMillan.
Posted by: BaseballSavvy.com
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October 14, 2007 5:22 PM