Former Georgia swimming coach Jack Bauerle says Herschel Walker 'would run wild' with modern Bulldogs
Legendary Georgia and Olympic swimming coach Jack Bauerle, who recently retired, kept it short and sweet when asked how Heisman-winning running back Herschel Walker would far in today’s college football landscape.
“He’d run wild,” Bauerle said via DawgNation.
Walker was one of the greatest college running backs to ever play the game, winning the coveted Heisman Trophy in 1982 and recently being named the second greatest college football player ever by ESPN, only behind Syracuse running back Jim Brown.
Bauerle addressed the myth that Walker would be hit harder today than he would in his glory days at Georgia in the 80s.
“People think they hit harder now than they did then; they are mistaken,” Bauerle said. ” Watch that game — there would have been 15 or 10 times when they’d have been thrown out in this day and age. They leveled each other.”
RB legends like Walker, Bo, or Emmitt would dominate in any generation.
Swimming Coach. Aight.
Luv, I don’t know if you’re old enough to remember players like Hershel or Bo but I will say Hershel is the best RB I’ve ever seen and Bo the best athlete. I never saw Marcus Allen or Barry Sanders in person so I’ll leave it to each to have their opinion. Just because it’s a swim coach means nothing. An average Joe like me could appreciate what these guys did. And Hershel? Man, oh, man!
I have been an Alabama since the late 60’s. So you bet I remember Herschel. The way he ran as a Freshman was phenomenal. Never saw anyone run better.
LOL yeah my reaction too
Herschel actually should have won the heisman three times since his freshman year he wasnt considered eligible at that time but would be now. His JR year too should have been a win.
In fairness, Marcus Allen become the first college running back to go over 2000 yards in 1981.
Allen had nearly 600 more yards rushing than Herschel and scored four more touchdowns.
Herschel should have won in 1980 and 1982. 1981 is a bit stickier.
And he DID win his junior year. He left early and did not play his senior year.
He was eligible as a freshman, but tradition led voters to vote for seniors back then.
There was no actual rule against Freshmen winning it then, more of an unwritten rule….but he definitely should have gotten it over George Rodgers. The only debate was Marcus Allen, but definitely should have won 2. He is definitely the best SEC player of all time IMO.
Herschel Walker, along with Bo Jackson was, THE GREATEST TO EVER PLAY! Not because defensive tackles were 250 back then either. Because Herschel Walker is better and stronger than today’s running backs and the majority of the linebackers! Still that isn’t where it stopped!!! THAT MAN HAD VISION!!! And he didn’t need to be Barry Sanders with the moves. Because he was MUCH FASTER THAN BARRY!!!!! Way stronger than probably 5 of him!!!!!!! He needed 1 hole and he was GONE!!!!! And many times he didn’t need a hole. HE WOULD SIMPLY MAKE ONE!!!!!
At the height of his strength. His strength would have ranked with a female gorilla!!!!! He is still unbelievably strong today!!!!!!
HIS SPEED WAS TRUE WORLD CLASS AT ANY SIZE!!!! COACH PRIME IN HIS PRIME WAS NOT ANY FASTER! EXCEPT POTENTIALLY WITHIN 40 YARDS!
But at the end of 100 Herschel would either get him or they would be tied!!!!! And that is a fact!!!! He raced the world’s most famous sprinters and beat a few. And stayed with ALL OF THEM!!!!!
PS. He was NEVER blown away!!!!!! As for him running wild today. What was he doing back then??? LOL
Negan
The next time you ever see the next Herschel or Bo they will have to be 6’4 250lbs and run a 4.0 40. That’s basically the equivalent of the genetic breakthrough that happened with these two guys by early 1980’s standards. I’m lucky to have seen both play in person.
Herschel never had an official 40-time back in the day, but he ran a 4.35 at age 50. His best 100-meter time at UGA was a 10.10, which would have placed him 4th in this year’s NCAA 100 meter final.
That he was doing this 40 years ago while at 225-230 pounds is incredible. Even today, a 225-pound football player running a 10.10 is virtually unheard of. UGA’s Arian Smith and A&M’s Devin Achane are probably the two fastest guys in CFB. Both weigh 185 – 40 pounds lighter than Herschel – but their PBS are 10.10 and 10.12 respectively.
So yeah, somehow time-travel 1982 Herschel to today’s game, and he would still likely dominate the game.
The long run against South Carolina in 1980 displayed his ridiculous speed. THAT was incredible.
Herschel Walker would run wild with any team. I am blessed to have been alive to see both him and Bo Jackson play, Too me they are the 2 best, hands down.
You left out Barry Sanders
True but the football world has changed since Sanders. When Hershel and Bo played we were shown those games more often. I do not remember Oklahoma State being televised in this region that often. Plus I got to see Bo in person a few times.
True bias right there. You’ve obviously never seen any HOF (college and pro) RB’s from USC.
You guys are so insulated in who you think is better or the best.
Are you talking about OJ (wife slasher) Simpson and Reggie (give back my Heisman) Bush, those USC running backs?
No.
I was a student at UGA during the Herschel and Bo years. Far superior athletes to anyone else on the field and that’s an understatement. Seeing it live and hearing the contact of how they would hit people. Multiple would-be tacklers just bouncing off of them like rag dolls. Or they would just blow by defensive backs with their speed. The two greatest in my opinion.
Dang your old
Fun to consider, but it’s impossible to compare athletes or teams from one generation to another.
Him and OJ would be INSANE if they… wait, never mind.
Yeah, he’s got the messed up CTE brain to prove how “good” he was as a player. I heard he said he discovered the New World last week.
Well he’s a r epublican, so it was already obvious he has brain trauma.
Misery. Where they let the violent criminals run wild. Enjoy.
BrokeBackVol, It’s amazing how the gay left, and all the left, is so anti-right. Even when it’s a black man. No mercy at all.
Are you suggesting that people should support a terrible candidate solely and only because of their race? There’s no chance he gets the black vote in the state of Georgia, despite the color of his skin.
The left does it all the time.
Herschel Walker would run wild in any decade/era of college football. What an amazing running back.
So the retired swimming coach agrees with what everyone else would say. Good stuff.
How many days until kickoff?
..is up to 17 secret kids revealed…
Anybody with a brain, that has ever watched Hershel Walker run the ball, knows he is and will always be the best pure RB to ever live! No one can match his combination of power, speed, and durability. As far as the best athlete, that goes to Bo Jackson. I’m not sure Hershel couldn’t still be a top RB!