Famous Alumni from University of Georgia

The University of Georgia first opened its doors in 1785 and has graduated a plethora of successful people.

If you're like me, you know Ryan Seacrest from one show: American Idol. The TV and radio broadcaster studied journalism at the University of Georgia and had his own radio show in Athens.

Ask anyone on UGA's campus and they'll tell you Herschel Walker is a legend. He was the valedictorian of his high school before setting the Southeastern Conference all-time rushing record. Walker helped the Bulldogs win a national championship and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is going to be one of the NFL's all-time leaders. He grew up in Dallas, and first made a name for himself at Georgia under head coach Mark Richt. Stafford was drafted first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Fans of the Food Network know who Alton Brown is. Brown created and hosted the show, Good Eats, in addition to Iron Chef America and Cutthroat Kitchen.

Four college buddies formed R.E.M., one of the greatest rock bands ever. Lead singer Michael Stipe, bassist Mike Mills, guitarist and songwriter Peter Buck and drummer Bill Berry formed the band while in school at Georgia.

Famous for his columns in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Lewis Grizzard was a writer and humorist who published 25 books in his lifetime. Criticized for his racially insensitive views, Grizzard first studied journalism at the University of Georgia.

If you're like me you recognized Wayne Knight for his roles in Jurassic Park or Space Jam. The actor, voice artist and comedian is well known for his role as Newman in Seinfeld.

Fran Tarkenton is one of four Georgia Bulldogs inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Born and raised in Athens, Tarkenton quarterbacked UGA to a SEC championship in 1959, then played 18 NFL seasons.

Along with Tarkenton, Champ Bailey and Charley Trippi, Terrell Davis rounds out the list of former UGA college football players enshrined in Canton, Ohio. "T.D." starred at Georgia in the 1990s before winning two Super Bowls and a Super Bowl MVP with the Denver Broncos.

Known by his ring name Bill Goldberg, the 285-pound WWE wrestler might be one of the scariest dudes ever. Goldberg played football for the Bulldogs, and the Los Angeles Rams drafted him in the 11th round in the 1990 NFL Draft.

Hines Ward played 14 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and remains the franchise's all-time leader in several categories. The Super Bowl XL MVP is one of 14 players in NFL history with 1,000 catches.

Maria Taylor, a reporter, host and analyst for ESPN, covers a variety of collegiate sports. She became the first African-American to co-host College GameDay. Prior to her TV career, Taylor played basketball and was an all-SEC volleyball player for the Bulldogs.

See more at fanbuzz.com/college-football/sec/georgia/famous-uga-alumni