Alex Karras--#5 All Time B1G Defensive Tackle, per ESPN

[Franisdaman]

Ranking the Big Ten's top 5 all-time DTs
May 10, 2016
9:56 AM ET

• 
  
  Josh MoyerESPN Staff Writer
• http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/132928/ranking-the-big-tens-top-5-all-time-dts

5. Alex Karras, Iowa, 1956-1957: There's a lot to debate in this fifth spot, but it seems only fair to include the defensive tackle who came closest to winning the Heisman. Karras finished as the runner-up in 1957 to Texas A&M running back John David Crow, but he still won the Outland Trophy and earned his second straight bid as an All-American. He never got along with his head coach, who kicked him off the team in 1955 for being overweight. But that still never seemed to impact him once he was on the field, where he was nicknamed "Mad Duck" for his "savage, bustling style of attack." Off the field? Fans might best remember him for his acting. He was cast as George Papadapolis on the hit TV show "Webster" and as Mongo in the movie "Blazing Saddles."

Honorable mentions: Bobby Bell, Minnesota; Jim Stillwagon, Ohio State; Leo Nomellini, Minnesota; Bruce Clark, Penn State; Wayne Meylan, Nebraska; Calvin Jones, Iowa; Mark Messner, Michigan; Moe Gardner, Illinois

 

[Franisdaman]

And I agree with those who state that if a player never played a B1G conference game, they should never be on this list.

It's great to see Iowa players making the first 2 "all time" lists; like many of you, I just think the Iowa players should be ranked higher because some Penn State and Nebby players should be ineligible since they never played in a B1G conference game.

 

[Roy-munson]

So Jared devries who was a 3 time first team all big ten selection doesn't even make the list of honorable mentions?

 

[soybean]

Reid, Glover & Suh are NOT All Big10 greats....the were great, but not Big10 great.

 

[brandley]

So only 2 of the top 5 even played in the Big Ten. ESPN sucks.

 

[pink shizzle]

Well, they did state that they're basing it off of teams currently in the B1G, regardless if they were at the times the players played.

 

[122950]

Calvin Jones - an offensive lineman - or defensive lineman?
I think a very strong argument can be made that Iowa "best" defensive lineman is Jones - not Karras.
And Jones has his Outland to back it up.

 

[soybean]

Well, they did state that they're basing it off of teams currently in the B1G, regardless if they were at the times the players played.

That is what we are pissed about.

 

[pink shizzle]

That is what we are pissed about.

And unfortunately the BIG Network does this too, don't they? I don't see why they do it, but they do.

 

[KFsdisciple]

These lists should only include players within the conference when they played... They can always add players who deserve recognition from teams who recently joined.

At one point the University of Chicago was in the Big10... if they had a player on this list that would be fine. At least those players would have played in conference play.

They should just make the list and then say others who should be considered based on current conference alignment would include:

 

[GretnaShawn]

Reid, Glover & Suh are NOT All Big10 greats....the were great, but not Big10 great.

Most Nebraska fans think this is just as stupid as you do. They never played in the B1G, they shouldn't be included. They should be on the Big 12 list (even though Glover played in the Big 8. At least the Big 8 turned into the B12, so it has some logic).

 

[GretnaShawn]

And unfortunately the BIG Network does this too, don't they? I don't see why they do it, but they do.

I am ok with BTN playing old Nebraska/Penn ST/Maryland/Rutgers games as 'Big Ten Classics' even though the teams were in a different conference at the time. It's fun to watch old games (no matter the team/conference affiliation). But when it comes to the lists of the greatest from the conference, it is just dumb and illogical.

 

[ukrainehawk]

Dear BTN-

Would it make any difference if we politely asked you to reconsider your criteria? On the other hand, if it is merely a matter of polling and demographics, and it makes sense for you in that world, enjoy yourselves. But if you want the rest of us to come along, please reconsider your criteria.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Loved the old recruiting stories about Evy getting Alex Karras. Apparently, they had to hide him out in Tiffin, as Michigan and Notre Dame assistants followed him out to Iowa for his recruiting visit. I think a big steak at the Lark in Tiffin sealed his commitment to Iowa.

GO HAWKS