In a landmark announcement that has sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, ESPN has officially declared Ohio State icon Archie Griffin as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in college football history. Griffin, a legendary running back for the Buckeyes from 1972 to 1975, is the only player in the history of the sport to win the Heisman Trophy twice—an achievement that has stood unmatched for nearly five decades.
Griffin’s storied career at Ohio State under head coach Woody Hayes was nothing short of historic. He played in 46 consecutive games and started 45 of them. Over the course of his collegiate career, Griffin rushed for an astounding 5,589 yards on 924 carries, averaging 6.0 yards per attempt. He scored 26 touchdowns and had 34 100-yard rushing games—an NCAA record at the time.
Griffin burst onto the scene as a freshman in 1972, rushing for 867 yards. He followed that with a breakout sophomore season in 1973, racking up 1,577 yards and seven touchdowns, which earned him national attention. In 1974, he reached even greater heights, rushing for 1,620 yards and 12 touchdowns to claim his first Heisman Trophy. He repeated the feat in 1975 with 1,450 rushing yards and four touchdowns, securing his place in history as a back-to-back Heisman winner—a distinction no other player has achieved.
Beyond individual accolades, Griffin led Ohio State to four Big Ten titles and four Rose Bowl appearances. His consistency, durability, and sportsmanship made him not only a standout athlete but also a symbol of excellence and leadership.
Even after nearly 50 years, Griffin’s legacy continues to resonate. His combination of elite production, competitive toughness, and off-the-field character made him an easy choice for ESPN’s GOAT title. In an era of flash and flair, Griffin’s old-school dominance and unmatched résumé remain the gold standard.
By crowning Archie Griffin as the greatest college football player of all time, ESPN has reignited the conversation about what true greatness looks like on the gridiron—and reminded the world of the legend who wore scarlet and gray.