How do you pick between five Heisman Trophy winners and an all-time great safety (No. 20)? How do you compare a 1980s wide receiver to a 2010s quarterback to a 1920s fullback (No. 1)?



Picking the best player to wear every number in college football is a tall task. Placing numbers on uniforms officially began in 1915, and in the ensuing century-plus, numerous stars have worn every number from 1-99. That’s what happens when college football players have just four years, and in many cases less than that, to craft a résumé.



Though a handful of choices are obvious because numbers were worn by the most transcendent college stars, most have debates between two or sometimes several more worthy candidates.



It can be difficult to avoid being heavily influenced by what players did as professionals, but these choices are based on college accomplishments. Because of the extensive scope of the sport, the starting point here was players who have received...