Randall Cobb paved the way for Lynn Bowden and other greats
Randall Cobb did everything but sell popcorn at Kroger Field. He was a quarterback, wide receiver, return specialist, leader, and legend—all wrapped in one. As College Football Hall of Fame voters weigh their next class, it’s time to recognize one of the SEC’s most electrifying and versatile players. Here are five reasons why Cobb belongs in the Hall.
1. He shattered the SEC’s all-purpose yards record
In 2010, Cobb piled up 2,396 all-purpose yards—breaking the SEC’s single-season record. He did it at Kentucky, a basketball school without the recruiting pipeline or resources of Alabama or LSU. Cobb’s final year included 1,017 receiving yards, 424 rushing, 392 punt return yards, and 563 kickoff return yards. Only one player touched the ball more effectively in more ways that season: nobody.
2. The SEC’s ultimate Swiss army knife
Cobb didn’t just line up at multiple positions—he changed games from them. Against Western Kentucky in 2010, he threw a touchdown, caught one, and ran back a 50-yard punt for a score. Across his career, he recorded 22 rushing touchdowns, 13 receiving, and 5 passing. In the nation’s most cutthroat conference, Cobb wasn’t just versatile—he was elite at everything.
3. The "WildCobb" era changed everything
Before Lynn Bowden took the SEC by storm, there was the "WildCobb." With Kentucky running its own version of the Wildcat under Rich Brooks, Cobb gave the offense its identity. He helped lead the Wildcats to three straight bowl appearances and authored moments fans still talk about—like a 61-yard touchdown run against Auburn in 2010 that sent Commonwealth Stadium into chaos. He didn’t just play in big games. He made them unforgettable.
4. A leader when it mattered most
Cobb’s stats were dazzling, but his leadership made him legendary. In the 2009 Music City Bowl against Clemson, he delivered a 77-yard kickoff return and a 61-yard receiving touchdown on the way to MVP honors. In a 2010 upset of No. 10 South Carolina, he racked up 204 all-purpose yards and the go-ahead score. Cobb was the guy who made the play when it had to be made—and teammates rallied around him because of it.
5. He Opened the Door for Lynn Bowden and Others
Randall Cobb walked so Lynn Bowden could run—literally. When injuries forced Kentucky to use Bowden at quarterback in 2019, he mirrored Cobb’s blueprint: do whatever it takes. Bowden went on to rush for 1,468 yards, lead the team in passing, and win the Belk Bowl. He later credited Cobb as the inspiration. The path Kentucky built for all-purpose stars? Cobb paved it.
Put Cobb in the Hall
Randall Cobb didn’t just play college football—he changed how it looked at Kentucky. His resume speaks for itself: record-breaking numbers, unforgettable moments, unmatched versatility, and legacy-shaping leadership. It’s time for Hall of Fame voters to give No. 18 the recognition he earned.
Let’s make sure the “WildCobb” era gets the immortal status it deserves.