SMU Mustangs in the pros: All-time greatest

No. 1 Eric Dickerson – Running Back

  • Hall of Famer
  • 5 All Pro Selections
  • 6 Time Pro Bowler

With over 13,000 yards rushing and 90 touchdowns in his 11 years of professional football, Eric Dickerson—who retired over 20 years ago—still ranks seventh all-time in the NFL record books in rushing yardage. Dickerson was a first round draft pick (2nd overall after John Elway was errantly selected by the Baltimore Colts) by the LA Rams in 1983 and led all rushers for three of his first four years in the league. Dickerson would play for the Rams, Colts, Raiders and Falcons before hanging up his cleats in 1993.

No. 2 Forrest Gregg – Tackle/Guard/Defensive Tackle

  • Hall of Famer
  • 3 X Super Bowl Champion
  • 7 All Pro Selections
  • 9 Time Pro Bowler

Gregg played 14 years with the legendary Green Bay Packers teams of the late 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s. His run included three titles and he was later named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-1960’s team. After playing 193 games, Gregg finished his NFL career after the 1971 season as a Dallas Cowboy.  Selected in the 2nd Round of the 1956 draft (20th overall), Gregg’s career approximate value (89) is third highest amongst players selected in his draft class behind only Hall of Famers Willie Davis (94) and Bart Starr (90).

No. 3 Jerry Mays – Defensive End/Defensive Tackle

  • Super Bowl Champion
  • 2 All Pro Selections
  • 7 Time Pro Bowler

Mays played 10 years in the NFL, two years with the Dallas Texans and eight with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in 140 games, which matched the 140 players selected before him in the 1961 draft where he was taken by the Minnesota Vikings.  Of those players, only six would go on to have a higher career approximate value—including players such as Hall of Famers Fran Tarkenton, Bob Lilly and Herb Adderley.

No. 4 Raymond Berry – Split End

  • Hall of Famer
  • 3 All Pro Selections
  • 6 X Pro Bowler
  • 13 years in the NFL
  • 20th Round Pick Baltimore Colts in 1954

Berry played for the Baltimore Colts after being drafted out of SMU in 1954. He played for 13 years before retiring, leading the NFL in receptions and receiving yards for three seasons.  He tallied over 9,000 yards receiving including over 600 receptions. In 1960 alone, Berry’s stat line read: 74 catches for 1,298 yards and 10 TDs.  He also averaged over 100 receiving yards per game that year.

No. 5 Don Meredith – Quarterback

  • 3 X Pro Bowler

Meredith played 9 years in the NFL from 1960 to 1968. He was drafted 32nd overall in the 3rd Round by the Chicago Bears. Three quarterbacks were selected prior in the 1960 draft and none threw for more than 2,000 yards in their career. Meredith played for nearly a decade and amassed over 17,000 yards passing and 135 touchdowns. His touchdown percentage of 5.8 is a Dallas Cowboy record.

Honorable Mention

  • Jerry Ball – Nose Tackle, 1 All Pro Selection and 3 X Pro Bowler
  • Michael Carter – Nose Tackle, 1 All Pro Selection and 3 X Pro Bowler
  • Louie Kelcher – Defensive Tackle, 1 All Pro Selection and 3 X Pro Bowler
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