LSU Football’s Mount Rushmore
Since LSU football began in 1893, the Tigers have sent 327 players into the NFL, including 38 first round draft picks and three players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
What if we were to separate these men into a Mount Rushmore? How would we choose whose mug gets to be carved into the side of a mountain forever? If we’re going to immortalize a face in stone then you need to have made quite an impact. You can’t just have gaudy stats, anyone can manage that.
To be on the LSU football Mount Rushmore, a player has to have not only the numbers but must also possess influence, a certain magnetism and prestige that allows you to transcend time. Basically these guys have that something special that only certain people are born with.
The question remains, whose faces are we putting on the LSU football Mount Rushmore?
Jim Taylor
Jim Taylor made the cut due to his impressive NFL career: he took home four championships while playing for the legendary Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers.
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Taylor took home the NFL rushing title and the MVP in 1962, beating out some guy named Jim Brown. This makes Jim Taylor and Steve Van Buren the only LSU running backs to win NFL rushing titles. Jim Taylor also has a Super Bowl championship on his resume, is part of the 1960s all-decade team, led the league in touchdowns twice and was the first running back in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards in five straight seasons.
The New Orleans Saints also have retired his number 31 jersey. Taylor’s key role as running back of the Packers earned him a spot in Pro Football Hall of Fame, one of only three LSU players to accomplishment that feat.
Alan Faneca
Alan Faneca may be one of the most decorated offensive linemen to battle in the trenches for the Tigers. He overcame an epilepsy diagnoses at age 15 and still became one of the best linemen in the country at LSU. Just goes to show a little bit of what Faneca is made of.
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Twice he was awarded first team ALL-SEC and was a consensus All-American, recording over 200 pancake blocks in his college career.
Faneca won a Super Bowl XL with the Steelers and also played for the Jets and Cardinals. He brought pancake blocks and leadership to every team he played for, while making the Pro Bowl nine times and being name First Team All-Pro six times.
The former Tiger also made the cut for the NFL 2000s All-Decade team. Faneca may also go on to become the fourth LSU Tiger to make the Hall of Fame.
Billy Cannon
Just having a name like Billy Cannon can earn you a spot on the LSU football Mount Rushmore, but being a great football player helps also. Cannon produced one of the most exciting moments in LSU football history with his 89-yard punt return against Ole Miss on Halloween Night.
LSU still plays highlights of the run in Tiger Stadium before every home game 50 years later. Cannon is easily the most interesting character on this list, and probably the only one that’s been to prison. Cannon was the first professional football player to earn $100,000 and played professionally in the AFL, not the NFL.
Cannon won an AFL championship with the Oilers and led the league in rushing before moving onto the NFL. At LSU he lead the Tigers to the 1958 National Championship, and is still to this day LSU’s only Heisman Trophy winner.
Leonard Fournette
I know what you’re thinking.
Wesley, this man still plays for LSU, how dare you put him on the Mount Rushmore? Yes, it’s early, you’re right about that, but greatness has no timeline. And there is no doubt Leonard has greatness in him.
The legend of Leonard began at St. Augustine High School, and since then he has become probably the most hyped and most talented recruit in the history of LSU football (let’s not forget that’s 123 years of history!). In 2015 Leonard ran for 1953 yards (leading the entire nation) and 22 touchdowns.
He’s been compared to legendary running backs Herschel Walker and Adrian Peterson. There aren’t many men who get to be in the same breath with those guys, and Leonard is one of them. If he even comes close to the numbers he put up last season he will have definitely solidified his spot on this list.
Who knows? the man who did the Heisman pose after his first college touchdown might go on to become LSU’s second Heisman Trophy winner. It’s going to take us awhile to carve this mountain anyway, so let’s wait until he gets drafted. By that time I’m sure there won’t be a doubt that he is deserving of a place on the mountain top.
Honorable Mentions
Unfortunately only four guys can make the LSU football Mount Rushmore, and it makes me sad so here are the other guys who deserve a shout out:
Odell Beckham Jr., YA Tittle, Patrick Peterson, Steve Van Buren, Kevin Mawae, Les Miles, Tyrann Mathieu, Nick Saban, Kevin Faulk & Tommy Hodson
Next: WATCH: Leonard Fournette Hype Video