Best IU football players the past 25 years

Who are the best Indiana University football players over the past 25 years? IndyStar college sports editor Matthew Glenesk takes a stab at it:

Quarterback

Antwaan Randle El (1998-2001)

As if it could be anyone else. Randle El did things never done before. He was the first player in Division I history to throw for 40 career touchdowns and rush for 40 career touchdowns. He was the first player in Division I history to amass 2,500 total yards in each of his four seasons. One of the most elusive players in college football history, he led IU's potent option offense and placed sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior. He finished his career with 7,469 passing yards (second-most in IU history), 3,895 rushing yards (second-most in school history) and 87 total touchdowns. Turned into a wide receiver in the pros, Randle El threw a touchdown pass in Super Bowl XL.

Also in consideration: Nate Sudfeld, Kellen Lewis, Ben Chappell, Trent Green.

Running Back

Alex Smith (1994-96), Tevin Coleman (2012-14)

A prep standout at Franklin County, Smith was the first IndyStar Mr. Football. He set a Big Ten freshman rushing record with 1,475 yards and flirted with Herschel Walker's NCAA record. Injury slowed him his sophomore year (769 yards), but he rebounded a year later with 1,248 yards. His 3,492 career rushing yards (in just three seasons) are third-most on the school's all-time rushing list, behind only Anthony Thompson and Antwaan Randle El. Coleman was a threat to score every time he touched the ball and always seemed to hit another gear in the open field. In 2014, he became the first IU running back to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark in a single season, finishing with 2,036, second-best in the nation. His 28 career rushing touchdowns are fourth-most in school history.

• More: Notre Dame's best from the past 25 years

Also in consideration: Levron Williams, Stephen Houston, Devine Redding, Jordan Howard.

Wide Receiver

James Hardy (2005-07), Courtney Roby (2001-04)

IU's career leader in receptions (191), receiving yards (2,740) and receiving touchdowns (36), Hardy was a phenom for the Hoosiers, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors as a junior. He was also a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver. He led the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns in both 2006 and 2007 and declared early for the draft and was the 41st overall pick. In June, Hardy's body was found in a Fort Wayne river, and his death was later ruled a suicide. An All-State performer at North Central, Roby held the school records for career catches and receiving yards before Hardy broke them. Roby's 170 catches now rank fourth in school history and his 2,524 receiving yards are second-most.

Also in consideration: Cody Latimer, Demarlo Belcher, Tandon Doss, Terrance Turner, Thomas Lewis, Shane Wynn, Kofi Hughes.

Tight End

Ted Bolser (2010-13)

A four-year starter, Bolser finished his career with 117 catches for 1,337 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns, all records for an IU tight end. His 15 scores tie him for seventh on the school's all-time list. He earned second-team and honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in three of his four years in Bloomington.

Also in consideration: Aaron Halterman. 

Offensive Line

Dan Feeney (2013-16), Jason Spriggs (2012-15), Rodger Saffold (2006-09), Enoch DeMar (1999-02), Chris Liwienski (1994-97)

Feeney anchored offensive lines that helped IU reach back-to-back bowl games for the first time in more than two decades. Despite missing significant time with a concussion his senior year, Feeney was named first-team All-Big Ten, and became the program's first-ever offensive lineman to earn All-America status twice. Spriggs, a year older than Feeney, was also an All-American in 2015, giving IU its first pair of offensive linemen to earn All-America honors in the same season since 1945. As a senior, Spriggs allowed only two sacks in 431 called pass attempts at left tackle. Saffold moved over to left tackle midway through his freshman year and was a fixture there, starting 41 of 42 games he appeared in. He was a two-time second-team All-Big Ten and was drafted at the top of the second round in 2010. DeMar started all 45 games of his college career. He moved around on the line, starting at left guard in 1999, right tackle in 2000, right guard in 2001 and left tackle in 2002. He was a second-time All-Big Ten performer in 2001. A three-year starter at tackle, Liwienski was a team captain his senior year and won IU's lineman of the year award. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1998 draft and played 126 NFL games over nine years.

Also in consideration: Isaac Sowells, Craig Osika, Anthony Oakley, Adam Hines, James Brewer, Will Matte.

Defensive Line

Adewale Ogunleye (1996-99), Victor Adeyanju (2002-05), Greg Middleton (2006-09), Adam Replogle (2009-12)

Ogunleye's 34.5 sacks are nearly 10 more than second place in school history (Van Waiters, 25). A three-time All-Big Ten selection, his 64 tackles for loss are also an IU record. He ranks sixth all-time in the Big Ten in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss. A knee injury cut short his senior year and caused him to go undrafted in 2000. He signed with Dolphins as a free agent and was an All-Pro in 2003. Adeyanju started 43 of 46 games for the Hoosiers and his 14.5 career sacks are 10th-most in school history. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and finished his career with 151 total tackles (107 solo stops). A first-team All-American in 2007, Middleton led the nation with 16 sacks, a single-season school record. He earned All-Big Ten honors a season later and finished his career with 23 sacks, third-most on IU's all-time list. A two-year captain and voted the team's Most Valuable Player as a senior, Replogle earned second-team All-Big Ten honors at defensive tackle. His senior year, he posted five sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 71 total tackles.

Also in consideration: Kris Dielman, Kemp Rasmussen, Jammie Kirlew, Hurvin McCormack.

Linebackers

Justin Smith (1998-01), Tegray Scales (2015-present), Kyle Killion (2002-05)

An All-Big Ten selection his junior and senior seasons, Smith ranks ninth on IU's all-time tackles list with 326. A four-time All-Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Smith won a Super Bowl as part of the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. Scales became IU's first All-American linebacker since 1987. Last season, he led the nation in solo tackles (87) and the Big Ten in total tackles (116), His 20 1/2 tackles for loss were also the best in the Big Ten. Killion started the final 34 games of his IU career and ranks 10th on the school's all-time tackles list (323). He was second-team All-Big Ten as a junior after posting a career-high 107 tackles. He led the team in tackles as a sophomore and senior and his 35 career tackles for loss are sixth-most in IU history.

Also in consideration: Jabar Robinson, Matt Mayberry, Alfonzo Thurman, Adam McClurg, Marcus Oliver.

Defensive Backs

Eric Allen (1994-96), Tracy Porter (2004-07), Rashard Fant (2014-present), Herana Daze-Jones (2001-04)

A third-team All-American in 1996, Allen finished his career with 10 interceptions, good for seventh on the school's all-time list. A North Central product, he produced five picks, 67 tackles and three fumble recoveries during his senior season. First-team All-Big Ten as a senior, Porter finished his career with 16 interceptions, second-most in school history, behind only Tim Wilbur (1978-82). His 413 interception return yardage is the most for a Hoosier and he was the first IU player to return an interception, punt and fumble for touchdowns. He's not so fondly remembered around these parts for returning a Peyton Manning pass for a touchdown for the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. Fant is the NCAA’s active leader and No. 1 all-time at IU in pass break-ups (44) and passes defended (48). Fant has four interceptions over the past two seasons. And anchored a secondary last fall that trimmed nearly 100 passing yards allowed off of its per-game average. Daze-Jones played linebacker and safety for the Hoosiers, and his 342 career tackles are fourth-most in school history. His 110 tackles in 2004 led IU and earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors.

Also in consideration: Lance Brown, Joe Gonzalez, Nick Polk, Greg Heban.

Kicker

Mitch Ewald (2010-13)

Second on the school's all-time scoring list (320 points), Ewald is sandwiched in between Anthony Thompson and Antwaan Randle El, two of the most decorated Hoosiers in history. His 53 field goals are tied with Griffin Oakes for most in school-history and his 80.3 percent conversion rate is tops among IU kickers.

Also in consideration: Griffin Oakes, Austin Starr, Andy Payne.

Punter

Tyson Beattie (2003-06)

Out of Australia, Beattie is the only IU punter to average at least 40 yards a punt in each of his four seasons. His 41.1-yard career average is fourth all-time in school history.

Also in consideration: Jim DiGuilio, Alan Sutkowski, Chris Hagerup.

Kick Returner

Marcus Thigpen (2005-08)

Thigpen is second on the school's career kick return list with 2,009 return yards and his three kick return touchdowns (all in 2006) are the most by any Hoosier. His 4,658 all-purpose yards are third-most in school history behind only Anthony Thompson and Levron Williams.

Also in consideration: Ray Fisher, Lance Bennett, Derin Graham.