ESPN released their All-Time All-America college football team on Thursday for the 150th anniversary of college football. On the list, two former Notre Dame players were named, but neither to the first-team.
First up was former Notre Dame offensive tackle Aaron Taylor who was named to the second-team. Taylor played for the Irish from 1990-93 and helped make holes for the likes of Reggie Brooks, Jerome Bettis, Lee Becton and Ray Zellars to run through. Taylor was twice a consensus All-American in 1992 and ’93 and won both the Lombardi and Jim Parker Awards in 1993. He was an absolute monster that would help lead the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl XXXI crown at the next level, as well.
The only other Notre Dame representative was Tim Brown who was given the second-team all-purpose position. Brown won Notre Dame’s most recent Heisman in 1987 but had an insane career leading up to that despite the Irish going just 25-21 in his four seasons in South Bend.
Brown finished his Notre Dame career with over 5000 total yards, 2935 of which came from scrimmage. He also found the end zone 22 times while wearing blue and gold.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T67HDocsEY&w=560&h=315]
Perhaps I’m a bit biased but I’d have considered Quenton Nelson for an offensive guard position. His highlight tape is as impressive as you’ll ever find for a guard and I know Notre Dame never won big during his tenure but he’s an extremely-rare case that made drafting an offensive guard in the top-ten a cool pick.