ESPN released its All-Time All-America team for college football’s 150th anniversary. Three Georgia Bulldogs made the list, which includes both the first and second team.
In the 150-year glorious history of college football, thousands of worthy young men graced the gridirons of college campuses. ESPN assembled a blue-ribbon panel to select the top 50 players — 25 players each on a first and second team. From the the 1920s through the 21st century, from coast to coast and Division I and Division IAA, these players were not only the best at their respective positions, they were game changers. They represent 19 schools, from nine conferences, from the Southeastern to the Ivy League.
In a bit of a surprise, Pittsburgh placed four players on the first teams. Ohio State placed four players between the first and second teams. Georgia, Nebraska and Alabama each had three players selected. The SEC led the way with nine representatives, including the following three all-time Georgia greats. The full first and second teams follow thereafter:
RB Herschel Walker, Georgia (1980-82)
Rushing yards: 5,259 | TDs: 52 | Rushing yards per game: 159.4
If not Brown, Walker might be the player whom every college running back is measured against. He ran for 1,616 yards with 15 touchdowns as a freshman in 1980, leading the Bulldogs to a 12-0 record and national championship. Walker ran for 150 yards with two touchdowns — after separating his shoulder — in a 17-10 win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. He ran for 1,891 yards as a sophomore and 1,752 as a junior, when he won the 1982 Heisman Trophy. During his three-year collegiate career, Walker set 41 Georgia, 16 SEC and 11 NCAA records. The Bulldogs went 33-3 during his three seasons.
CB Champ Bailey, Georgia (1996-98)
Interceptions: 8 | Receiving yards: 978
A year after Michigan corner Charles Woodson won the Heisman Trophy by playing a little offense and returning kicks, Bailey seemed to launch a campaign to bring back one-platoon football. The 6-1, 186-pound Bailey remained on the field for an amazing 1,070 plays. Playing alongside safety Kirby Smart, Bailey made 52 tackles and caught 50 passes — 47 on offense, three on defense. He led the Dawgs that season with 744 receiving yards. Alas, Bailey finished seventh in the Heisman voting. He won the Nagurski, and sealed his place among the game’s elite.
K Kevin Butler, Georgia (1981-84)
Extra points: 122-125 | Field goals: 77-98 | Total points: 353
Herschel Walker cast a large shadow over the Bulldogs teams of the early ’80s, but the record shows that Vince Dooley assembled teams sound on defense and nearly impeccable on special teams. Butler didn’t miss an extra point after his sophomore year, and his leg was not only true but long. He made 50 of 56 (.893) inside the 40, and 27 of 42 (.643) outside of it. Butler made seven game-winning field goals in his career, none bigger than the 60-yarder the 1984 All-American made to beat Clemson 26-23, in his senior year. Butler had to have it — he had missed a 26-yarder earlier in the game.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
QB Roger Staubach, Navy (1962-64)
RB Jim Brown, Syracuse (1954-56)
RB Herschel Walker, Georgia (1980-82)
WR Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State (1981-84)
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh (2002-03)
TE Mike Ditka, Pittsburgh (1958-60)
C Chuck Bednarik, Pennsylvania (1945-48)
T Orlando Pace, Ohio State (1994-96)
T Bill Fralic, Pittsburgh (1981-84)
G John Hannah, Alabama (1970-72)
G Jim Parker, Ohio State (1954-56)
Defense
DE Hugh Green, Pittsburgh (1977-80)
DE Reggie White, Tennessee (1980-83)
DT Bronko Nagurski, Minnesota (1927-29)
DT Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma (1972-75)
LB Dick Butkus, Illinois (1962-64)
LB Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina (1977-80)
LB Tommy Nobis, Texas (1963-65)
CB Deion Sanders, Florida State (1985-88)
CB Charles Woodson, Michigan (1995-97)
S Jack Tatum, Ohio State (1968-1970)
S Ronnie Lott, USC (1977-80)
Specialists
K Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State (1997-99)
P Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi (1970-72)
AP Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska (1970-72)
SECOND TEAM
Offense
QB Peyton Manning, Tennessee (1994-97)
RB Bo Jackson, Auburn (1982-85)
RB Archie Griffin, Ohio State (1972-75)
WR Randy Moss, Marshall (1996-97)
WR Fred Biletnikoff, Florida State (1962-64)
TE Keith Jackson, Oklahoma (1984-87)
C Dave Rimington, Nebraska (1979-82)
OT Anthony Munoz, USC (1976-79)
OT Jonathan Ogden, UCLA (1992-95)
OG Aaron Taylor, Notre Dame (1990-93)
OG Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska (1981-83)
Defense
DE Bubba Smith, Michigan State (1964-66)
DE Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech (1981-84)
DT Randy White, Maryland (1972-74)
DT Joe Greene, North Texas (1966-68)
LB Jack Ham, Penn State (1968-70)
LB Derrick Thomas, Alabama (1985-88)
LB Cornelius Bennett, Alabama (1983-86)
CB Rod Woodson, Purdue (1983-86)
CB Champ Bailey, Georgia (1996-98)
S Kenny Easley, UCLA (1977-80)
S Ed Reed, Miami (1998-2001)
Specialists
K Kevin Butler, Georgia (1981-84)
P Russell Erxleben, Texas (1975-78)
AP Tim Brown, Notre Dame (1984-87)
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