Discussion: Is Aaron Donald the greatest Pitt player of all-time?

[HailToPitt725]

I think we can officially have this conversation. He is one of the most decorated players in Pitt history (with the exception of the Heisman) and is now in discussion for the greatest defensive player in NFL history.

Some things to consider: do you just look at collegiate success/accolades or include professional careers? Is Tony Dorsett’s career still more impactful? Does the fact that AD was on mostly mediocre teams hurt his case? What say you?

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

I think we can officially have this conversation. He is one of the most decorated players in Pitt history (with the exception of the Heisman) and is now in discussion for the greatest defensive player in NFL history.

Some things to consider: do you just look at collegiate success/accolades or include professional careers? Is Tony Dorsett’s career still more impactful? Does the fact that AD was one mostly mediocre teams hurt his case? What say you?

College Career - TD is #1 without a doubt
If you combine College and Pro Careers + Impact the Player has made off the field, then it is more difficult. Donald made a huge donation and has a building named after him as well.

 

[pittfanfromNC]

If we are talking overall player level. Donald is top 5 defensive player all time in NFL history and probably up there all time for any side. So yes if we are talking skill and play. If we are talking impact at pitt then hard to get past TD.

 

[Saboteur II]

I think we can officially have this conversation. He is one of the most decorated players in Pitt history (with the exception of the Heisman) and is now in discussion for the greatest defensive player in NFL history.

Some things to consider: do you just look at collegiate success/accolades or include professional careers? Is Tony Dorsett’s career still more impactful? Does the fact that AD was one mostly mediocre teams hurt his case? What say you?

Dorsett.

 

[runshadyrun]

Hugh says I wasn't too shabby at Pitt

 

[pittmeister]

Tony Dorsett is the greatest Pitt Panther of all time in my opinion… Period.

Aaron Donald is the most accomplished NFL player to ever wear a Pitt uniform.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

It's funny though.....players are just so much BIGGER when you are a kid than an adult.

 

[upj87]

Tony Dorsett is the greatest Pitt Panther of all time in my opinion… Period.

Aaron Donald is the most accomplished NFL player to ever wear a Pitt uniform.

amazing how one forgets the guy who left the league as its all time leading passer...

 

[ChazzMo]

Sacrilege to follow:
It appears to me (and this even goes back to his college days), that AD2 takes plays off and seems to use those lower effort plays to set up the opposing OL for his monster max effort rushes.

Anybody else read his style of play that way?

I think he turns down the juice to lull the opposition and then when a critical play comes along he turns into HOF AD2.

 

[pittmeister]

amazing how one forgets the guy who left the league as its all time leading passer...

It’s amazing how you chide others without taking an objective look. Up until recently, I would have said Marino. In my opinion, Donald has surpassed Marino.

Aaron Donald:

• Super Bowl champion (LVI)
• 3× NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018, 2020)
• NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2014)
• 7× First-team All-Pro (2015–2021)
• 8× Pro Bowl (2014–2021)
• Deacon Jones Award (2018)
• NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
• Sporting News 2010s All-Decade Team
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2014)

Dan Marino:

• NFL Most Valuable Player (1984)
• NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1984)
• 3× First-team All-Pro (1984–1986)
• 3× Second-team All-Pro (1983, 1994, 1995)
• 9× Pro Bowl (1983–1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995)

 

[Parkview57]

Anybody else read his style of play that way?

I don't know, because of his talent he may be expected to be on the field for a number of plays above his/anyone's physical capabilities, and he makes that adjustment. Hayward and Watt get off the field some, and even they have plays that they seem spent on at times. In comparison to old timers, ie Joe Greene , more pass plays today make it harder to play every snap because of energy expended , imo.

 

[YourPittDanceTeam]

I think we can officially have this conversation. He is one of the most decorated players in Pitt history (with the exception of the Heisman) and is now in discussion for the greatest defensive player in NFL history.

Some things to consider: do you just look at collegiate success/accolades or include professional careers? Is Tony Dorsett’s career still more impactful? Does the fact that AD was on mostly mediocre teams hurt his case? What say you?

Before asking the question, I think that you need to establish the criteria you will be using to determine the answer. What does "greatest" mean? That is a word that will always have a different meaning to each person doing the judging. Pretty much the same as asking a person which Pitt Cheerleader is the "prettiest?
Taking the above into account, there is little doubt that during Super Bowl LVI, Aaron Donald WAS the greatest Pitt defensive lineman on the field.

 

[upj87]

It’s amazing how you chide others without taking an objective look. Up until recently, I would have said Marino. In my opinion, Donald has surpassed Marino.

Aaron Donald:

• Super Bowl champion (LVI)
• 3× NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018, 2020)
• NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2014)
• 7× First-team All-Pro (2015–2021)
• 8× Pro Bowl (2014–2021)
• Deacon Jones Award (2018)
• NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
• Sporting News 2010s All-Decade Team
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2014)

Dan Marino:

• NFL Most Valuable Player (1984)
• NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1984)
• 3× First-team All-Pro (1984–1986)
• 3× Second-team All-Pro (1983, 1994, 1995)
• 9× Pro Bowl (1983–1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995)

yes, because all positions are the same in regards to these accolades..odd, you left out the point I made... All time leader in NFL history in passing yards and touchdowns when he retired.

btw, no chiding was done. I'm not even saying you are wrong but you are far from a slam dunk on this..

 

[pittmeister]

yes, because all positions are the same in regards to these accolades..odd, you left out the point I made... All time leader in NFL history in passing yards and touchdowns when he retired.

btw, no chiding was done. I'm not even saying you are wrong but you are far from a slam dunk on this..

Noted….👍

 

[vanbuma]

Surprised Ditka is not in the conversation as he was just an incredible athlete in the pro's and in college. He's in the college and NFL Hall of Fame, NFL rookie of the year, Pro Bowl many times, and on the NFL's 75th and 100th anniversary teams. In college, he played multiple sports (might not be in the criteria here), played multiple positions (TE, P, DE), and was a consensus all-american . He was a freak of nature.

I don't know what everyone's criteria is but he was simply unreal.

 

[JS School]

Surprised Ditka is not in the conversation as he was just an incredible athlete in the pro's and in college. He's in the college and NFL Hall of Fame, NFL rookie of the year, Pro Bowl many times, and on the NFL's 75th and 100th anniversary teams. In college, he played multiple sports (might not be in the criteria here), played multiple positions (TE, P, DE), and was a consensus all-american . He was a freak of nature.

I don't know what everyone's criteria is but he was simply unreal.

He pretty much revolutionized the tight end position.

 

[JS School]

Tony Dorsett is the greatest Pitt Panther of all time in my opinion… Period.

Aaron Donald is the most accomplished NFL player to ever wear a Pitt uniform.

I agree with this as how it's stated. Donald along with a few others like Marino and Fitzgerald had better NFL careers than Dorsett, but nobody had a better career at Pitt. In fact, I think it might be possible that no college player ever had a bigger impact on a program than Dorsett had on Pitt.

I don't know how to define accomplished in this sense, but a QB can obviously set a lot more records than a DT. But just going by Player of the Year and All Pro awards, I'd have to say Donald over Marino.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

With regards to TD..

College-wise does anyone nationally consider TD to be the greatest player of all time?

The Sporting News about 10-15 years ago said Hugh and Red Grange were the 2 greatest college players of all time.

I always say that TD was the most important player of all time in PITT history. I'm not so sure he was the "best."

 

[steelcurtain55.]

He pretty much revolutionized the tight end position.

John Mackey?

 

[TempleBAPittMPA]

John Mackey?

At the same time.

 

[JS School]

John Mackey?

Further evolution of the position.

I think Mackey came along about 3 years later. I seem to recall reading that the Colts drafted him because he fit the mold of Ditka.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Marino's two biggest drawbacks are:

1) Obviously never winning a Super Bowl. This cannot be overlooked, especially for a QB.
2) He played mostly in an era before teams put up video game numbers, and mostly pro set offenses and not these spread 4-5 WR offenses. Would love to see what he would do now. He was the first guy to hit 5000 yards have 500 attempts in a season. But Tom Brady (at age 44) had 719 attempts this past season.

 

[pittmeister]

I always say that TD was the most important player of all time in PITT history. I'm not so sure he was the "best."

Fair enough…. Who do you consider to be the greatest player in Pitt history?

 

[TFBaum]

With regards to TD..

College-wise does anyone nationally consider TD to be the greatest player of all time?

The Sporting News about 10-15 years ago said Hugh and Red Grange were the 2 greatest college players of all time.

I always say that TD was the most important player of all time in PITT history. I'm not so sure he was the "best."

I think he was the greatest college running back ever. But I am looking at him through Blue and Gold glasses. The problem with TD is he was fighting for the spotlight because of all the great rb’s in college football at the time. As far as AD is concerned I would place him higher because he played on a less talented team with less talented linemen

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

With regards to TD..

College-wise does anyone nationally consider TD to be the greatest player of all time?

The Sporting News about 10-15 years ago said Hugh and Red Grange were the 2 greatest college players of all time.

I always say that TD was the most important player of all time in PITT history. I'm not so sure he was the "best."

I dunno I think you can make an argument for Dorsett as best college player of all time. But you know what, Herschel if he stayed one more year would have broken his records. Some of the record holders today, nothing against them, but many of these guys now play 13-14 game seasons and have offenses that run 75-90 plays a game that just blows out all the previous records of the 80's and before.

 

[PittPharm2002]

I dunno I think you can make an argument for Dorsett as best college player of all time. But you know what, Herschel if he stayed one more year would have broken his records. Some of the record holders today, nothing against them, but many of these guys now play 13-14 game seasons and have offenses that run 75-90 plays a game that just blows out all the previous records of the 80's and before.

Realistically -
Herschel , Bo Jackson , and Barry sanders all have a legit claim .
and of course Jim Brown

 

[TFBaum]

Realistically -
Herschel , Bo Jackson , and Barry sanders all have a legit claim .
and of course Jim Brown

Add Ricky Williams and KaJa Carter (college).

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Realistically -
Herschel , Bo Jackson , and Barry sanders all have a legit claim .
and of course Jim Brown

Not going to argue that at all.

 

[TFBaum]

Not going to argue that at all.

Emmitt Smith

 

[steelcurtain55.]

I don't like comparing players of different positions - it's not really an argument. It's like saying element - hydrogen or oxygen?

But, when comparing players of the same positions, especially RB and OLB - PITT is lucky to have 2 guys like TD and HG.

The thing I remember reading about Hugh was who or what team or what player ever shut him down?

 

[pittmeister]

I don't like comparing players of different positions - it's not really an argument. It's like saying element - hydrogen or oxygen?

But, when comparing players of the same positions, especially RB and OLB - PITT is lucky to have 2 guys like TD and HG.

The thing I remember reading about Hugh was who or what team or what player ever shut him down?

In my opinion, there are only three players you can consider the greatest Panther player in history:

Tony Dorsett:

Heisman Trophy (1976)
Maxwell Award (1976)
Walter Camp Award (1976)
3× First-team All-American (1973, 1975, 1976)
Pittsburgh Panthers No. 33 retired
Sporting News Player of the Year (1976)
UPI Player of the Year (1976)

*He was the first player in NCAA history to reach 6,000 career rushing yards.

*Holds school record for most yards rushed in a game (303).

*Set or tied 18 collegiate rushing records.

*As a freshman in 1973, Dorsett rushed for 1,586 yards

*He was the first major college back to compile four 1,000-yard seasons.

*In 1973 he became the first freshman consensus All-American since 1944

*He became the first player in football history to win the Heisman, a college national championship and a Super Bowl, as well as receive Hall of Fame enshrinement on both the college and professional levels.

Aaron Donald:

ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2013)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2013)
Chuck Bednarik Award (2013)
Lombardi Award (2013)
Outland Trophy (2013)
Unanimous All-American (2013)

Hugh Green:

Walter Camp Award (1980)
Maxwell Award (1980)
Lombardi Award (1980)
Sporting News Player of the Year (1980)
UPI Player of the Year (1980)
UPI Lineman of the Year (1980)
3× Consensus All-American (1978–1980)
Second-team All-American (1977)
Pittsburgh Panthers No. 99 retired

I say TD was the greatest Panther of all-time. No TD, no national championship. Dorsett got the ball rolling. Without him, Pitt may have never collected talent that was the 1980 team.

 

[pitt90seven]

you can make a very real argument that TD is the best football player of all time if you're combining college and NFL.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Tony Dorsett is the greatest Pitt Panther of all time in my opinion… Period.

Aaron Donald is the most accomplished NFL player to ever wear a Pitt uniform.

This

 

[JS School]

In my opinion, there are only three players you can consider the greatest Panther player in history:

Tony Dorsett:

Heisman Trophy (1976)
Maxwell Award (1976)
Walter Camp Award (1976)
3× First-team All-American (1973, 1975, 1976)
Pittsburgh Panthers No. 33 retired
Sporting News Player of the Year (1976)
UPI Player of the Year (1976)

*He was the first player in NCAA history to reach 6,000 career rushing yards.

*Holds school record for most yards rushed in a game (303).

*Set or tied 18 collegiate rushing records.

*As a freshman in 1973, Dorsett rushed for 1,586 yards

*He was the first major college back to compile four 1,000-yard seasons.

*In 1973 he became the first freshman consensus All-American since 1944

*He became the first player in football history to win the Heisman, a college national championship and a Super Bowl, as well as receive Hall of Fame enshrinement on both the college and professional levels.

Aaron Donald:

ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2013)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2013)
Chuck Bednarik Award (2013)
Lombardi Award (2013)
Outland Trophy (2013)
Unanimous All-American (2013)

Hugh Green:

Walter Camp Award (1980)
Maxwell Award (1980)
Lombardi Award (1980)
Sporting News Player of the Year (1980)
UPI Player of the Year (1980)
UPI Lineman of the Year (1980)
3× Consensus All-American (1978–1980)
Second-team All-American (1977)
Pittsburgh Panthers No. 99 retired

I say TD was the greatest Panther of all-time. No TD, no national championship. Dorsett got the ball rolling. Without him, Pitt may have never collected talent that was the 1980 team.

Previously, I would have ranked them:

1. Dorsett

2. Green
3. Donald

After reading your post, I now rank them:

1. Dorsett
2. Green

3. Donald


Same order, I just now think that Green is closer to Dorsett than Donald is to Green.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Emmitt Smith

Not in college. Sorry

 

[pittmeister]

Previously, I would have ranked them:

1. Dorsett

2. Green
3. Donald

After reading your post, I now rank them:

1. Dorsett
2. Green

3. Donald


Same order, I just now think that Green is closer to Dorsett than Donald is to Green.

I agree with your opinion.

1. Dorsett
2. Green
3. Donald

The real debate is who is ranked where when it comes to Marino, Fitz, Fralic, Ditka, etc…

 

[steelcurtain55.]

you can make a very real argument that TD is the best football player of all time if you're combining college and NFL.

He's up there for sure.

 

[PittPharm2002]

Based on 7 figure donation while still an active player -
Aaron Donald is the greatest Panther

sorry- that factors in and pushes him to the front .
Tell me who in contention has done as much ?

he was a one man wrecking crew in college -
He’s an unstoppable force in the NFL.
He’s a champion who spends every offseason working out with pitt players and made a huge donation to the program .

He’s the pitt low key Mario.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Based on 7 figure donation while still an active player -
Aaron Donald is the greatest Panther

sorry- that factors in and pushes him to the front .
Tell me who in contention has done as much ?

he was a one man wrecking crew in college -
He’s an unstoppable force in the NFL.
He’s a champion who spends every offseason working out with pitt players and made a huge donation to the program .

He’s the pitt low key Mario.

Good analogy - that is how I see it as well.

 

[NTOP]

I think we can officially have this conversation. He is one of the most decorated players in Pitt history (with the exception of the Heisman) and is now in discussion for the greatest defensive player in NFL history.

Some things to consider: do you just look at collegiate success/accolades or include professional careers? Is Tony Dorsett’s career still more impactful? Does the fact that AD was on mostly mediocre teams hurt his case? What say you?