Who would you rather have as your star linebacker on your college team - Tommy Nobis or Dick Butkus?
Dick Butkus played linebacker and center for the Fighting Illini from 1962 to 1964. The youngest of eight children of an immigrant family from Lithuania, Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus grew up in the Roseland area of Chicago's south side. He played high school football at the Chicago Vocational High School.
He was recruited and played for the University of Illinois. He was a two time All-American and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1963 and third in 1964. He finished his college career with 374 tackles, which averages out to a bit more than 13 tackles per game. His teams finished 16-11-2, having their best year his junior year where they won the Big Ten. That season they also beat Washington 17 to 7 in the Rose Bowl.
Tommy Nobis played linebacker and guard for the Texas Longhorns from 1963 to 1965. Thomas Henry Nobis, Jr. was born September 20, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, TX) where he was an all-state offensive end and middle linebacker.
He was recruited and played for the University of Texas at Austin. Nobis was a two time All-American and made the All-Southwest Conference team three times, won the Maxwell Award as a senior, and finished seventh in the Heisman voting his senior year. He averaged nearly 20 tackles per game. His teams went 27-5, winning the National Championship his sophomore year.
So there you have it. Two legendary stars with a brief synopsis of their college careers. Which player do you take, based on his college career, to lead your college team’s defense? Please comment by clicking the button below.