Top Auburn Tiger NFL Players of All-Time

selected by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.

2011 NFL Rookie of the Year: Newton became the obvious choice for Rookie of the Year honors by assaulting the NFL record books.  2011 highlights include Newton becoming:

• First rookie to throw for 400+ yards in his first career game (422),
•  Set the all-time NFL rushing TD record for quarterbacks with 14.
• Became just the 4th QB in NFL history to pass for over 3000 yards his rookie year as he joined
  Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan and Sam Bradford in that club.
• Set the all-time Rookie passing yards mark with 4,051 yards.

Cam Newton – 2015 NFL MVP

In the world of professional football, few names resonate with as much force as Cam Newton. The quarterback’s illustrious career has been marked by a stunning array of athletic feats, but perhaps none more impressive than his extraordinary 2015 season. That year, Newton delivered an MVP performance, leading the Carolina Panthers to a franchise-best record of 15-1 and an appearance in Super Bowl 50.

Willie Anderson

Anderson entered the NFL as a 1996 1st round draft choice (10th overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals.  The
former Plainsmen didn’t disappoint as he anchored offensive lines for 13 seasons while earning four Pro
Bowl trips and being named All-Pro four times.  The Mobile, AL native played all but one of his NFL
seasons for the Bengals and finished his career with Baltimore in 2008.

William Andrews

Andrews was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (79th overall selection) of the 1979 NFL
Draft.  Andrews hit the ground running in his inaugural game by rushing for 167 yards against the New
Orleans Saints.  The Thomasville, GA native rushed for 1,023 yards that season and made the NFL’s All-
Rookie team in 1979.  Andrews continued to excel through the first five years of his career before a
serious knee injury knocked him out of action for two seasons.  The former Auburn Tiger returned for the
1986 season, but that was his final season.  Andrews retired with 5,986 rushing yards and a franchise
leading 8,633 yards from scrimmage.
Career achievements include:

• 4-time Pro Bowl Selection
• 1st Team All-Pro (Sporting News and NEA) 1983
• Atlanta Falcons retired his #31 jersey
  
  

Fred Beasley

Beasley was a 6th round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1998 and earned the reputation as the
best blocking fullback in the NFL.  Beasley was a one-time Pro Bowl selection and earned All-Pro honors
twice before being released by the 49ers following the 2005 season.

James Brooks

Brooks entered pro football as a 1st round draft pick (24 overall) of the San Diego Chargers in the 1981
NFL Draft.  Before his career ended 12 seasons later, Brooks was a 4-time Pro Bowler and had played
with four different franchises.  The Warner Robins, GA native best years were with the Cincinnati Bengals
for whom he played for from 1984-91.  Brooks excelled as an all-purpose player with excellent rushing,
receiving and return skills.  The former Tiger back retired as Cincinnati’s all-time leading rusher and
totaled 7,962 rushing yards, 3,621 receiving yards, 565 punt return yards and 2,762 yards on kickoff
returns.  Brooks retired in 1992 after one season in Tampa Bay.

Ronnie Brown

Brown was the 2nd overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.  In his career, Brown has
earned one Pro Bowl selection following the 1998 season.

Joe Cribbs

Cribbs was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 2nd round of the 1980 NFL Draft.  After a sensational rookie
season, Cribbs was the only first-year player to earn starter status in the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,185
yards and 11 TD’s.  The former Auburn back played pro football through 1988 after playing  for the Colts
and Dolphins that season.  Cribbs earned Pro Bowl appearances in 1980, 81 and 83.

Stephen Davis

Davis entered the NFL as a 4th round draft selection of the Washington Redskins in 1996.  The former
two-time All-SEC performer’s pro career spanned 11 seasons and also included stints with Carolina and
St. Louis where he retired after the 2006 season.  When Davis’ career came to a close he led all former
Auburn running backs in career NFL rushing yards (8,052) and rushing TD’s (65).  
Career highlights
included:

• 3-time Pro Bowl selection
• 1-time All-Pro selection
• Led NFL in rushing TD’s with 17 in 1999.
  
  

“Tucker” Frederickson

After earning All-American and Heisman runner up status at Auburn in 1964, Frederickson was the overall
number one pick in the 1965 NFL Draft when he was selected by the NY Giants.  Frederickson earned
one Pro Bowl season in 1965 before a knee injury forced his retirement in 1971.

Brent Fullwood

Fullwood was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the overall 4th pick of 1987 NFL Draft.  The 1986
Consensus All-American played four seasons in the NFL and earned Pro Bowl honors in 1989 when he
led the Packers in rushing with 821 yards.

Lionel James

James joined the NFL’s San Diego Chargers as a 5th round draft choice of the franchise.  Known as the
‘Little Train’, James played all five of his NFL seasons with the Chargers. In 1985 James set a then-NFL
single season record for receiving yards (1,027) by a running back and all-purpose yards (2,535).

Bo Jackson

After winning the 1985 Heisman Trophy, Jackson was drafted by Tampa Bay with the first overall selection
of the 1986 draft.  However he decided to played baseball for the Kansas City Royals instead.  When the
Buccaneers failed to sign him, Jackson’s name was reentered into the NFL Draft where the Los Angeles
Raiders picked him in the 7th round.

Jackson joined the Raiders midway through the 1987 season and generated some sensational
moments before a hip injury ended his NFL career.  Jackson rushed for 221 yards against Seattle that
season to set a Monday Night Football rushing record.

Jackson’s hip injury forced him out of football in 1990 and despite having artificial hip surgery, Jackson
returned to a productive baseball career that lasted through the 1994 season.

Rudi Johnson

After being the SEC Player of the Year in 2000, Rudi Johnson entered the NFL as a 4th round draft pick of
the Cincinnati Bengals.  After backing up Corey Dillon for two seasons, Johnson emerged to be one of
the best backs in the league.  By the 2004 season Johnson was the full-season starter and rushed for a
franchise-record 1,454 yards while also scoring 12 times.  Those stats enabled Johnson to earn a Pro
Bowl berth that season.  After playing with Cincinnati for seven seasons, Johnson finished his career with
a final season in Detroit.  The former “Auburn Rambler” retired with 5,979 rushing yards and 49 TD’s.

Tony Richardson

Although Richardson had to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent in 1994, he is considered
one of the best blocking fullbacks in the history of the NFL.  The former Auburn Tiger had stints with
Dallas, Kansas City, Minnesota and the NY Jets.  It was with the Chiefs and the Vikings where
Richardson made his biggest impact.  While excelling as a blocker, Richardon’s teams finished fifth or
higher in league rushing sevent times.  Richardson was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection and earned All Pro
honors twice.

Carnell Cadillac Williams

After fellow Auburn backfield mate Ronnie Brown was drafted 2nd overall in the 2005 NFL Draft, Williams
was selected with the 5th overall pick by Tampa Bay.  Williams paid quick dividends as he was named
the NFL’s Rookie of the Week for the first three weeks of the season.  ‘Cadillac’ won AP NFL Offensive
Rookie of the Year honors with 1,178 yards and six TD’s.  Since that spectacular rookie season,
Williams has been plagued with injuries and played the 2011 season in St. Louis.

Top Auburn NFL Defensive Stars

Kevin Greene

The former Auburn walk-on who won the 1984 Zeke Smith Award as the Defensive Player of the Year entered the NFL as a 5th
round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams in 1985.  Greene played for 4 teams throughout his 15-year career that included stints
with the Rams, Steelers, Panthers, 49ers and then the Panthers again for his last two seasons.  Greene positioned himself for Pro
Football Hall of Fame consideration with the following achievements:

• Was in the NFL’s top 10 in sacks for 10 seasons.
• Led his team in sacks 11 of his 15 seasons.
• 5-time Pro Bowl selection
• 3-time First-Team All-Pro selection
• NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
• 1996 NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year