ESPN ranks top 10 college football supervillains of all time, includes several SEC figures
By Ethan Stone
Published:
ESPN released a power ranking of the top 10 greatest supervillains in college football history as we inch closer and closer to the start of the 2026 season. ESPN’s list includes coaches, players and even itself nestled at the No. 7 spot.
No, seriously.
As you can guess, several inclusions on ESPN’s list are affiliated with the SEC in some shape or form. 5, to be exact. Here’s a look at the villains ESPN included with SEC ties and their ranking.
- 8. Tim Tebow
- 4. Brian Bosworth “The Boz”
- 3. Johnny Manziel
- 2. Lane Kiffin
- 1. Steve Spurrier
For the full ranking, check out ESPN’s article here.
From a personality standpoint, as ESPN writer Ryan McGee pointed out, you could probably put Florida legend Tim Tebow on the all-time good guys list. That doesn’t absolve him of the fact that folks around the country, especially in SEC country, couldn’t stand facing off against the college football great.
The Boz played when Oklahoma was not part of the SEC, and once again it’s hard for me to accurately describe him as a true CFB villain, though I absolutely understand the ranking. With all the stuff going on with the NCAA today, his constant ragging on the useless entity would probably be seen in a kinder light. Still, he tested positive for steroids and was kicked off the Oklahoma team in 1986, then was later found to have lied about it, so… nobody’s perfect.
Money Manziel was the perfect college villain because he was so good at such a young age, and it didn’t seem like he really even cared off the field. The Heisman winner quickly earned the reputation of being a spoiled brat following his freshman season. His off-field behavior and immature public disputes make him worthy of the No. 3 spot.
Could No. 1 and No. 2 have gone to any other former coaches? Lane Kiffin has fielded a reputation for being a snake, something Ole Miss and Tennessee fans know all too well, but Spurrier is the classic villain who you know you can’t beat… and he’d let you know about it. Tennessee fans have certainly heard the classic, “You’s can’t spell Citrus without UT.”
ESPN included a few honorable mentions, including former OU star Baker Mayfield, Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia and Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
