Comprising a list of names to grace the Mount Rushmore of the University of Georgia football program is akin to being asked to pick between Michelangelo’s Statue of David and the painting of the Sistine Chapel.

The choice is never going to be easy, and everybody is going to have their own personal preferences. So it is for being tasked to single out just four individuals from a program as rich and as storied as that in Athens.

It’s a subjective look, but these are my choices for Georgia’s Mount Rushmore. 

WHO’S IN?

Herschel Walker

I doubt there’s anybody alive who would dispute that Herschel Walker is the greatest Dawg of them all. A spectacular blend of speed, size and raw power, Walker was a freshman when he led UGA to the 1980 national championship and would later win the Heisman Trophy. His freshman national-record 1,616 yards included four games of at least 200 yards. A three-time All-American, Walker was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1982 after finishing second a sophomore and third as a freshman.

He led Georgia to a 33-3-1 record in his three years in college, including three consecutive SEC titles and three consecutive Sugar Bowl appearances. At the end of his collegiate career, Walker held 34 school records, 15 SEC marks and 10 NCAA highs. He delivered a signature highlight his freshman year when he ran over future NFLer Bill Bates for a touchdown at Tennessee that remains the stuff of legend. His No. 34 is one of just four jerseys retired by the school.

Walker, who left school a year early to join the New Jersey Generals of the now-defunct United States Football League, is widely considered the greatest college football player of all time.

Career Numbers: 5,289 yards rushing, 52 TDs; rushed for better than 100 yards in each of Georgia’s 11 games in 1981.

Individual superlatives: Heisman Trophy (1982); All-American (1980-82); All-SEC (1980-82); SEC Coaches Player of the Year (1980-82); UPI National Back of the Year (1980, 1982); Maxwell Award (1982); Walter Camp Foundation National Player of the Year (1982).

Coach Vince Dooley

Dooley is the most successful coach in Georgia history, guiding the Bulldogs to more than 200 victories during his 25 years (1964-1988). His sterling record of 201-77-10 includes a national championship in 1980, six SEC titles and 20 bowl appearances.

Under his tutelage, the Dawgs produced a Heisman Trophy winner (Herschel Walker, 1982), a Maxwell Award winner (Walker, 1982), an Outland Award winner (Bill Stanfill, 1968), 40 first-team All-Americans and 10 Academic All-Americans. Dooley became just the ninth coach in NCAA Division I history to have won at least 200 games.

Dooley, who remains one of the most beloved figures in school history, also served as the school’s athletics director from 1979-2004, helping Georgia teams claim 20 national championships during his tenure.

Career Numbers: 201-77-10 in 25 years (1964-1988).

Individual superlatives: NCAA Coach of the Year (1980) Chevrolet-WTBS Coach of the Year (1982).

Frank Sinkwich

A two-time All-American, Sinkwich became Georgia’s first Heisman Trophy winner in 1942 after leading the Bulldogs to an 11-1 record, an SEC championship and a victory over UCLA in the Rose Bowl. During his three-year collegiate career (1940-42), he rushed for 2,271 yards, passed for 2,331 yards and accounted for 60 touchdowns (30 rushing, 30 passing). As a junior and senior, he led Georgia to bowl wins over Texas Christian (Orange Bowl) and UCLA (Rose Bowl).

His No. 21 is one of just four jerseys retired by the school. Sinkwich could do it all for the Bulldogs.

Career Numbers: 2,271 yards rushing, 30 TDs; 2,331 yards passing, 30 TDs.

Individual superlatives: Heisman Trophy (1942); All-American (1941, 1942); All-SEC (1941, 1942); SEC Coaches Player of the Year (1942).

CB/WR Champ Bailey

Perhaps the most versatile player ever to play at Georgia, Bailey was difference-maker in all three phases as a cornerback, wide receiver and return man. He played more than 1,000 plays during the 1998 season, including more than 100 in seven different contests. Bailey, who was one of three Bailey brothers to play for the Bulldogs, turned in one of the most amazing performances in school annals in 1998, totaling 52 tackles, 3 interceptions, 744 receiving yards with five touchdowns, 261 kickoff return yards and 49 punt return yards.

Career Numbers: 21 rushes for 99 yards, 59 receptions for 978 yards, 5 TDs; 23 kickoff returns for 511 yards, 4 punt returns for 49 yards; 147 tackles, 8 interceptions.

Individual superlatives: All-American (1998); All-SEC (1997, 1998); Bronco Nagurski Award (1998).

There was nothing Champ Bailey couldn’t do. A strong case could be made that he was more deserving of the 1998 Heisman Trophy than Texas’ Ricky Williams.

You’ve seen my Mount Rushmore for the University of Georgia. Now it’s your turn. Who would you have selected?