- Michigan
FIVE FOR FIGHTING — The Top Oxford Football Players Of The Bud Rowley Era (1976-2019)
1 Carl Reaves (Class of 1993 RB/DL) — The most dominant and dynamic player in Oxford history, scored the game-winning touchdown and made the game-securing pass deflection in OT of the 1992 state finals to get Team Rowley its lone state crown. Reaves played in college at Michigan State and UT-Chattanooga.
2 Zach Line (Class of 2008 RB/LB) — Workhorse on both sides of the ball in his prep days and the definition of a gamer and gritty competitor. As a senior, he rushed for 1,750 yards and scored 17 touchdowns on offense and recorded 155 tackles on defense, while forcing eight fumbles and corralling five sacks. He had a prolific career in the backfield in college at SMU and is currently in his seventh year in the NFL as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
3 Prescott Line (Class of 2012 RB/LB) — One word: THOROUGHBRED. Okay, a few more … Line’s 2011 campaign was one for the ages, seeing him rip through defenses for 2,500 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground and posting 125 tackles from his linebacker spot en route to winning the Mr. Football award. He played at SMU and Michigan State in college.
4 Eric Ghiaciuc (Class of 2000 OL) — Master blaster in the trenches who played in college at Central Michigan and punched the clock in the NFL for six seasons (mostly with the Cincinnati Bengals). EG embodied the program’s spirit and was a true “Sir Grind-A-Lot Special.”
5 Jeff Felix (Class of 1994 RB/LB) — Just nails tough in every way, shape and form, the quintessential leader and locker room linchpin.
* — From the special teams department, Dave Rayner (Class of 2000) kicked at Michigan State and in the NFL for parts of seven seasons with several different organizations, including the Detroit Lions.
