The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 21-25

Who are the greatest Florida Gators football players ever by jersey number? Over the next several days, Gators Online will take a deep dive into UF history and offer our take. Today, we look at Nos. 21 through 25. (NOTE: UF jersey records only go back to the early 1960s)

NO. 21: CRIS COLLINSWORTH, WR (1977-1980)

Also considered: Fred Taylor, RB (1994-97); Major Wright, S (2007-09)

Other notable: Dexter McNabb, FB (1988-91); Frankie Neal, WR (1983-85); Desmond Watson, DL (2021-24); Kelvin Taylor, RB (2013-15); DeShawn Wynn, RB (2003-06)

The skinny: Okay … this was a difficult one. A really difficult one. It takes some kind of player to top Taylor, who is fourth on UF’s career rushing list (3,075 yards), was a key player on UF’s first national title team in 1996 and was Third-Team All-American the next season. But Collinsworth earned more accolades in college than Taylor — and did so on three average to bad teams and only one good one.

Collinsworth, known as “Cadillac,” began his UF career as a touted option QB, but was moved to receiver in Year 2. Incredibly, he was First-Team All-SEC three straight seasons (once on a winless team) and was a two-time AP second-team All-American. He led the SEC in catches and receiving yards in 1980, the year the Gators produced what at the time was the greatest one-year turnaround in NCAA history, going from 0-10-1 to 8-4.

And by the way, while Taylor was a stud in the NFL so was Collinsworth. Taylor was Second-team All-Pro once but Collinsworth earned that honor three times and played in three Pro Bowls to one for Taylor. They are both Gators legends, but by the slimmest of margins Collinsworth is the pick at No. 21.

NO. 22: EMMITT SMITH, RB (1987-89)

Also considered: Matt Elam, S (2010-12); Willie Jackson Jr., WR (1990-93); Terry Jackson, RB (1995-98); Steve Tannen, DB (1968-69); John L. Williams, RB (1982-85)

Other notable: Lamical Perine, RB (2016-18); Willie Jackson Sr., UTIL. (1970-72)

The skinny: This is a great number in Gators history. But this also was an easy choice. Before we get to Emmitt, let’s talk about some of the others who wore No. 22. Willie Jackson Sr. was one of the first two black players at Florida. One of his sons, Willie Jr., was an All-SEC receiver. The other, Terry, was a running back for a national championship team. Tannen was an All-American DB and first-round pick. And let’s not forget about Williams, easily the best fullback in UF history.

But Emmitt is iconic. Before he became the all-time leading rusher in NFL history, he set all kinds of records at UF. Smith is No. 2 on the Gators’ career rushing list despite only playing three seasons, was a consensus All-American in 1989, the SEC Player of the Year that same season and was First-Team All-SEC three times. Any conversation about the best back in Florida history begins and ends with Emmitt Smith.

NO. 23: MIKE GILLISLEE, RB (2009-12)

Also considered: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S (2016-18); Derrick Gaffney, UTIL. (1976-77); Carlos Perez, WR (2000-03); Curtis Stacey, DB (1982-85); Allen Trammell, DB (1963-65)

Other notable: Leonard George, RB (1970-72)

The skinny: Special mention here goes to George, who in 1968 became the first black player to ever sign with the Gators (Willie Jackson Sr. was in the same class but signed shortly after George). Trammell was a standout defensive back during the Silver Sixties and a Second-tTeam All-SEC pick in 1964. But Gillislee gets the nod, thanks in large part to a senior season in which he rushed for 1,152 yards, the seventh-best year in UF history. He was First-Team All-SEC.

NO. 24: FRED WEARY, CB (1993-97)

Also considered: Wayne Fields, DB (1973)

Other notable: Alvin Cowans, DB (1974-76); Tre Everett, WR (1989-92); Ricky Knight, DB (1983-85); Brian Poole, CB (2013-15)

The skinny: Fields was one of the true Gator greats from the 1970s. But Weary was an easy pick. In 1997, he was a second-team AP All-American and one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. Weary left Gainesville with 15 interceptions, which still is No. 1 in school history. He was First-Team All-SEC twice and a key member of the 1996 national championship squad.

NO. 25: Brandon James, KR/WR (2006-09)

Also considered: Lee McGriff, WR (1972-74); Elijah Williams, RB/CB (1994-97)

Other notable: Chuck Hatch, DB (1977-79); Jordan Scarlett, RB (2015-18); Stacy Simmons, WR (1987-89);

The skinny: This was a tough call. McGriff was such a terrific player in the early 1970s. He finished his three-year college career with 87 catches for 1,551 yards and 13 touchdowns, was First-Team All-SEC as a senior and an honorable mention All-American.

Then there’s Williams. From 1995-96, when Florida went 24-2 with a national title, he was the team’s leading rusher. For his career, he gained 2,181 yards and also caught 842 yards worth of passes. In his final season, Williams was moved to cornerback because of need and ended up doing well there, too.

That said … James, one of the great return men this century in college football, gets the nod. He was a consensus All-American in 2008, First-Team All-SEC and SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2008 and Second-Team All-SEC in 2007. James’ rushing and receiving totals were just okay. But in his era, there may not have been a more feared player in the return game. And, he helped UF win two national titles.

Related Florida Gators links

The greatest Gators ever by number: 1-5
The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 6-10
The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 11-15
The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 16-20