When you talk about college football’s history, it’s hard not to mention the University of Pittsburgh. Pitt’s legacy is deep, and ESPN recently tipped its hat by featuring several Panthers in its ranking of the best college football players by jersey number.
Four Pitt legends—Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Tony Dorsett, Aaron Donald, and Hugh Green—were each named the best to ever wear their number. Let’s take a look at what set these guys apart.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr.: The Unstoppable No. 1
Fitzgerald only played two seasons at Pitt, from 2002 to 2003, but wow, what a run. He was named the top player to ever wear No. 1, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that.
In those two years, he caught 161 passes for 2,677 yards and 34 touchdowns. Records? He set plenty.
His accolades include:
- Biletnikoff Award (2003)
- Walter Camp Player of the Year (2003)
- Unanimous All-American
- Second in the Heisman Trophy voting (2003)
Fitzgerald’s streak of 18 straight games with a touchdown catch is still an NCAA record. That’s the kind of stat that sticks with you.
Tony Dorsett: The Legendary No. 33
Tony Dorsett’s time at Pitt is just legendary. Wearing No. 33, he rushed for 6,082 career yards—an NCAA record that stood for over two decades.
His senior year in 1976 was something else. Dorsett led the Panthers to a perfect 12-0 season and a national title.
Among his many achievements:
- Heisman Trophy (1976)
- Three-time first-team All-American
- Led Pitt to a national championship (1976)
Aaron Donald: The Dominant No. 97
Aaron Donald’s time at Pitt was all about dominance. Wearing No. 97, he was a nightmare for offenses, especially during his senior year in 2013.
Donald swept the country’s major defensive awards: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Rotary Lombardi Award, and Outland Trophy. That’s not something you see every year.
His senior year stats include:
- 28.5 tackles for loss (led the nation)
- 66 career tackles for loss (school record)
Hugh Green: The Formidable No. 99
Hugh Green, in No. 99, was just relentless. He was a three-time All-American and racked up a bunch of awards in 1980, including the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, and Rotary Lombardi Award.
His achievements?
- Second in the Heisman Trophy voting (1980)
- Three-time All-American
Green’s impact was so big, he’s still the highest-finishing strictly defensive player in Heisman history. That’s saying something.
Additional Pitt Legends Recognized
It wasn’t just these four, either. ESPN also recognized a handful of other Pitt greats for their contributions to college football.
- Dan Marino (No. 13)
- Mark May (No. 73)
- Jimbo Covert (No. 75)
- Bill Fralic (No. 79)
- Antonio Bryant (No. 80)
- Mike Ditka (No. 89)
- Joe Schmidt (No. 65)
Each of these players helped build Pitt’s reputation as a college football powerhouse. Their stories are woven right into the fabric of the sport.
Conclusion
The University of Pittsburgh’s football program has produced some true legends. Larry Fitzgerald Jr. set records as a receiver that still make fans shake their heads.
Tony Dorsett took home the Heisman and just dominated on the field. Aaron Donald? His defensive skills were almost scary at times.
And then there’s Hugh Green, whose impact was honestly hard to match. Seeing these names in ESPN’s ranking of the best college football players by jersey number feels like a nod to Pitt’s rich football tradition.
If you want to dig a little deeper into what made these athletes so special, check out the official Pittsburgh Panthers website.
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