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Top Ten: Bears from small colleges

Senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 Bears of all-time from small colleges.

James "Big Cat" Williams, Cheyney

Big Cat anchored the Bears offensive line at right tackle for more than a decade, playing in 166 games with 143 starts over 13 seasons from 1991-2002.
Photo credit: Chuck Solomon / AP Photo

James "Big Cat" Williams, Cheyney Big Cat anchored the Bears offensive line at right tackle for more than a decade, playing in 166 games with 143 starts over 13 seasons from 1991-2002. Photo credit: Chuck Solomon / AP Photo

Bill Osmanski, Holy Cross

The fullback helped the Bears win four NFL titles, led the NFL in rushing in 1939, was a three-time Pro Bowl pick and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1940s.

Bill Osmanski, Holy Cross The fullback helped the Bears win four NFL titles, led the NFL in rushing in 1939, was a three-time Pro Bowl pick and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1940s.

Harlon Hill, North Alabama

The talented receiver was voted NFL Rookie of the Year in 1954, the first winner of the Jim Thorpe Trophy as league MVP in 1955, and was a three-time All Pro selection.
Photo credit: NFL Photos / AP Photo

Harlon Hill, North Alabama The talented receiver was voted NFL Rookie of the Year in 1954, the first winner of the Jim Thorpe Trophy as league MVP in 1955, and was a three-time All Pro selection. Photo credit: NFL Photos / AP Photo

Charles Tillman, Louisiana-Lafayette

Tillman owns Bears records with nine defensive touchdowns and eight interception return TDs and his 36 interceptions are the most by a cornerback in team history.
Photo credit: Scott Boehm / AP Photo

Charles Tillman, Louisiana-Lafayette Tillman owns Bears records with nine defensive touchdowns and eight interception return TDs and his 36 interceptions are the most by a cornerback in team history. Photo credit: Scott Boehm / AP Photo

Ed Sprinkle, Hardin-Simmons

Described by George Halas as "the greatest pass rusher I've ever seen," Sprinkle was a four-time Pro Bowler who was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1940s.
Photo credit: Vernon Biever / AP Photo

Ed Sprinkle, Hardin-Simmons Described by George Halas as "the greatest pass rusher I've ever seen," Sprinkle was a four-time Pro Bowler who was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1940s. Photo credit: Vernon Biever / AP Photo

Danny Fortmann, Colgate

Chosen by the Bears in the ninth round of the NFL's first draft in 1936, Fortmann was a six-time all-NFL guard who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965.
Photo credit: AP Photo

Danny Fortmann, Colgate Chosen by the Bears in the ninth round of the NFL's first draft in 1936, Fortmann was a six-time all-NFL guard who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965. Photo credit: AP Photo

George Musso, Millikin

Enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1982, Musso was the first player to be voted all-NFL at two positions (tackle and guard) and helped the Bears win four league championships.

George Musso, Millikin Enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1982, Musso was the first player to be voted all-NFL at two positions (tackle and guard) and helped the Bears win four league championships.

Clyde "Bulldog" Turner, Hardin-Simmons

The Pro Football Hall of Famer was a six-time all-NFL center in 13 seasons with the Bears and also led the NFL with eight interceptions in 1942 while playing linebacker.

Clyde "Bulldog" Turner, Hardin-Simmons The Pro Football Hall of Famer was a six-time all-NFL center in 13 seasons with the Bears and also led the NFL with eight interceptions in 1942 while playing linebacker.

Richard Dent, Tennessee State

Selected by the Bears in the eighth round of the 1983 draft, Dent is the franchise's all-time leader in sacks, was named MVP of Super Bowl XX and is in the Hall of Fame.

Richard Dent, Tennessee State Selected by the Bears in the eighth round of the 1983 draft, Dent is the franchise's all-time leader in sacks, was named MVP of Super Bowl XX and is in the Hall of Fame.

Walter Payton, Jackson State

Arguably the greatest player in Bears history, Payton retired in 1987 as the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards.

Walter Payton, Jackson State Arguably the greatest player in Bears history, Payton retired in 1987 as the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards.

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