Ohio State and Pittsburgh have both made a significant mark in college football history, each boasting three players on the recently announced All-Time All-America team. This acknowledgment comes as part of a celebration marking the 100th anniversary of this prestigious honor, which has recognized nearly 2,000 exceptional athletes since 1925.
In a notable showing, the Big Ten Conference led with seven selections, outpacing the Southeastern Conference by two athletes. Out of the 25 players on the All-Time First Team, five were Heisman Trophy winners, and 21 have secured their place in the College Football Hall of Fame. Notably, there are two players who are nominated for future induction.
A panel of 12 sports writers selected this all-time team, but it is worth noting that this selection is not definitive. The wealth of talent in college football over the last century means that many great players were inevitably left out.
To qualify for this list, players must have been named AP first-team All-Americans at least once during their college careers. Their performance in professional leagues was not considered, and players could only be honored for the position where they achieved their All-America status.
It’s notable that, despite warnings against a bias towards more recent players, only three of the first-team selections played before 1970, reflecting the continuing evolution of the sport.
Among the highlights, Tim Tebow from Florida was chosen as the all-time first-team quarterback, narrowly beating out Texas’ Vince Young. Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2007, guided the Gators to a national championship and left a lasting legacy as the SEC’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns.
In the offensive lineup, running backs included Heisman winners Barry Sanders from Oklahoma State and Herschel Walker from Georgia. The wide receiver duo features Randy Moss from Marshall and Larry Fitzgerald from Pittsburgh. The offensive line showcases Orlando Pace of Ohio State and Bill Fralic from Pittsburgh as tackles, with John Hannah of Alabama and Jim Parker from Ohio State as guards, and Chuck Bednarik from Pennsylvania as center. The tight end spot is held by Brock Bowers from Georgia.
On the defensive side, legends like Hugh Green from Pittsburgh and Randy White from Maryland were recognized as ends, with Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska and Bronko Nagurski from Minnesota as tackles. The linebacker positions were filled by Dick Butkus from Illinois, Derrick Thomas from Alabama, and Chris Spielman from Ohio State. Notably, the secondary features Heisman winner Charles Woodson from Michigan and Deion Sanders from Florida State as cornerbacks, with Ronnie Lott from USC and Ed Reed from Miami at safety. Specialists include kicker Sebastian Janikowski from Florida State and punter Tory Taylor from Iowa.
While many fans may argue for the inclusion of Anthony Munoz, consider one of the greatest offensive linemen ever, or punting legend Ray Guy, who was not recognized due to the criteria limits, the selections reflect some of the finest talent in college football history.
The breakdown of the teams shows a predominance of players from traditional powerhouses, with the Big Ten leading the way. This reflects the longstanding tradition and competitiveness of college football that is cherished by fans across the nation.
