Another day closer to college football. By chance, we have two players who went on to become legendary Dallas Cowboys. Before they reached the pros, each made an impact in their own way. So, let’s tackle DeMarcus Ware and Randy White in our countdown to kickoff. We are now 94 Days Away From College Football Kickoff.
DeMarcus Ware Days Away From College Football Kickoff
Impact Player
DeMarcus Ware grew up in Auburn, Alabama, and played just two seasons of football at Auburn High School before heading to Troy. He earned a degree in business information systems and was the first in his family to graduate from college.
DeMarcus Ware is considered one of the best defensive players in Troy University’s history. He built on his college success to have an outstanding professional football career. Ware played a key role when Troy moved up to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2001.
Ware became a starter in 2002 and made an immediate impact, finishing fifth on the team with 72 tackles. He and Osi Umenyiora, another Troy player who later played for the Atlanta Falcons, together recorded 25 sacks and 40 tackles for loss. In his sophomore year, Ware was tied for 15th in the nation with nine sacks and tied for ninth with 19.5 tackles for loss. That season, Troy State’s defense was ranked fourth nationally, giving up only 276.8 yards per game.
In 2003, Ware earned a spot on the NCAA Division I-A All-Independent Team after making 62 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and six sacks. As a junior, he led the Trojans with 32 quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
In 2004, Ware was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead the Trojans to their first bowl game. He made the Sun Belt Conference All-Decade Team and was a finalist for the 2004 Hendricks Award, given each year to the nation’s top defensive end. He ended his college career as Troy’s all-time leader in tackles for loss with 55.5, and his 27 sacks for 198 yards put him among the school’s greatest players.
The Dallas Cowboys picked him 11th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft, making him the first first-round selection from Troy or the Sun Belt Conference.
Another Great #94 Randy White, Maryland
Randy White came to the University of Maryland from Wilmington, Delaware, where he was first listed as a fullback. Coach Jerry Claiborne moved him to defensive tackle, and he soon earned a reputation as “the quickest lineman in the game.” Known as “The Manster,” White became a dominant force for the Terrapins. By his senior year, opponents often double- or even triple-teamed him, but he still made an impact, finishing the 1974 season with 105 tackles and 12 sacks. White was named All-America by the Associated Press in 1973 and was a unanimous pick in 1974.
In 1974, White earned several honors, including the Outland Award for the nation’s best interior lineman and the Lombardi Award for the top lineman or linebacker. He was also named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and State of Delaware Athlete of the Year. White received Lineman of the Year awards from the Columbus Touchdown Club, Washington Touchdown Club, and Pigskin Club. He was recognized as the Philadelphia sports writers’ Amateur Athlete of the Year, United Press Lineman of the Year, and Liberty Bowl Most Valuable Player. Maryland retired his jersey, number 94.
After college, White played 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He was named co-MVP of the Super Bowl following the 1977 season. In 1994, he was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Editor’s Note: The countdown to college football kickoff has been a series on the Last Word on College Football social media platforms for the past 9 years. They consisted of a photo and a small blurb for each player, with the jersey corresponding to the number of days until kickoff. The rank of the players is sourced from articles by Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, and The Athletic. There are also some favorite players of the Last Word on College Football writers. Their bios are sourced from multiple online sources, including but not limited to the College Football Hall of Fame, their Heisman profiles, and school websites.
Main Photo: Troy Athletics
