Top five Wisconsin Badgers football players of all time

Ranking the top five Wisconsin Badgers football players of all time is a challenging task given the program’s long history and many standout athletes. These players have made significant contributions to Wisconsin Badgers football and have left an enduring legacy both at the university and in their professional careers.

However, based on their impact, achievements, and legacy, here is a list from 5 to 1:

5. Lee Evans

Lee Evans was an outstanding wide receiver for the Badgers from 1999 to 2003. He holds the school record for most receiving yards in a game (258) and in a single season (1,545). Evans was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and had a successful NFL career, primarily with the Buffalo Bills.

4. Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas played as an offensive tackle for the Badgers from 2003 to 2006. He was a consensus All-American and won the Outland Trophy in 2006, awarded to the nation’s best interior lineman. Thomas went on to have a Hall of Fame-caliber career with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.

3. Melvin Gordon

Melvin Gordon was a running back for Wisconsin from 2011 to 2014. He set the NCAA single-game rushing record with 408 yards (a record that was broken a week later) and finished his college career with over 4,900 rushing yards. Gordon was a Heisman Trophy finalist and went on to a successful NFL career.

2. Alan Ameche

Alan Ameche, known as “The Iron Horse,” played from 1951 to 1954 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1954. He set an NCAA record for career rushing yards (3,212) at the time. Ameche played in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts and is famous for scoring the winning touchdown in the 1958 NFL Championship Game, known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”

1. Ron Dayne

Ron Dayne is widely regarded as the greatest player in Wisconsin Badgers history. Playing from 1996 to 1999, Dayne set the NCAA Division I-A rushing record with 6,397 yards (which still stands if bowl game stats are excluded). He won the Heisman Trophy in 1999 and led the Badgers to back-to-back Rose Bowl victories. Dayne’s dominance and numerous accolades cement his legacy as Wisconsin’s greatest football player.