Who Wore It Best? 39-30

By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)

This series is back after the Christmas Break. Now we are back to finding the best players to wear numbers in the 30s. This is a group that is dominated by running backs and safetys, however, we will see a few other positions. Let’s get to it.

#39 – Oliver Kabat, TE

There have been few to ever wear 39, but the best is Toledo and Texas star tight end, Oliver Kabat. Kabat started his career with Toledo in Season 9 but would spend the majority of his playing time with the Longhorns. Kabat amassed over 1,000 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns during his career. He helped the Longhorns go to back-to-back National Championships, which they lost to Notre Dame.

Kabat was an overlooked, but key part of some of the best Texas teams the CFSL has ever seen.

#38 – Maverick LeBlanc, FS

Maverick LeBlanc was a great safety who played for LSU, Ohio, and Michigan from Season 14 to Season 17. LeBlanc had 235 tackles, 12 interceptions, and 31 pass breakups in his career.

He saved his best performance for his final season, in which he tallied 76 tackles and four picks. This earned him an All-American nod that season, which was the only of his career.

#37 – Joey Cass, SS

There were a few great players to wear the number 37, but they had to go up against one of the best safetys to ever play in the CFSL. Joey Cass finished his career with 17 interceptions, which was the most of any safety at the time. The four-time All-American started his career with Ohio before heading for Tennessee. However, it was in Texas that Cass is best remembered.

Cass, like Kabat, was part of the Season 12 and Season 13 Texas teams that played in the National Championship two seasons in a row. It was in Season 13 that Cass won Defensive Player of the Year.

#36 – Brandon Davis Jr, HB

Brandon Davis Jr only spent two seasons in the CFSL, but he made a major impact in those two seasons. The Auburn legend had back-to-back 1,000 rushing seasons and double-digit touchdowns in Seasons 1 and 2.

Davis may not have been around for long, but the numbers he put up in that short time are impressive. And now he is recognized as the best player to ever wear number 36.

#35 – Geaux Bamba, HB

Geaux Bamba is another talented HB who only stuck around for two seasons. Just like Davis, Bamba made the most of that short time. He ran for 2,755 yards and had 38 total touchdowns for Texas in Seasons 3 and 4.

The most interesting thing about Bamba is he was a three-time All-American, even though he only played two seasons. He was an All-American halfback and returner in Season 3, but even wilder is he was an All-American kicker in Season 4. Yes, you read that right.

#34 – Bo Yost, HB

You won’t find many current players on the ‘Who Wore It Best?’ series, but there are a handful, like Bo Yost. Yost is heading into his senior season but has already put up impressive numbers. The Miami star has over 3,500 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns.

Yost also has an impressive trophy case. There you will find his two All-Americans (Seasons 21 and 19) as well as the Season 19 Freshman of the Year Award.

#33 – Ron Dayne Jr, HB

The number 33 was a tough one to pick since there were two all-time greats to wear the number; Ron Dayne Jr and George Yost. However, the CFSL’s all-time leading rusher got the nod. Dayne had three straight seasons of over 1,600 rushing yards and he is the only player to ever achieve that.

The Hawaii and Washington legend holds the CFSL records for career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He has 17 more rushing touchdowns than the next-highest player.

#32 – Nathan Tetonis, FS

This one was another close race. West Virginia HB John Paul Smith was close to being the pick, but it is Nathan Tetonis who earned the nod. Tetonis played all three seasons of his career with Florida State. There he amassed 242 tackles, 12 TFLs, four interceptions, and 12 pass deflections.

Tetonis won an All-American Award in Season 3 and won the Season 3 Most Improved Player Award, which was the first season the award was given out.

#31 – JM Cook Jr, SS

JM Cook Jr graduated after this past season, after a great career. Cook started his career in Season 18 at Eastern Michigan but would spend the final three with Penn State. During his career, he totaled 224 tackles, 32 TFLs, 9 interceptions, three forced fumbles and three touchdowns.

Cook somehow missed out on landing any end-of-the-year awards, but that didn’t stop them from being the best to ever wear 31.

#30 – Nicholas Williams, WR

Last, but not least we land at #30 and Nicholas Williams. Williams started his career at Ohio, but quickly fled the MAC in favor of LSU in Season 13. He would spend the rest of his career with the Tigers. Williams finished his career with 2,479 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns.