1952 College Football All-America Team
Encyclopedia
The 1952 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Team
s for the 1952 college football season
. The organizations that chose the teams included: the United Press; the Associated Press
; and Collier's Weekly
.
Bold = Consensus All-American
Note: Because the "platoon system" was not fully accepted in 1952, several All-American players received 1952 honors on both offense and defense because those individuals played on both sides of the ball.
voting.
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
s for the 1952 college football season
1952 college football season
The 1952 college football season ended with the unbeaten Michigan State Spartans and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets each claiming the national championship according to different polls. Michigan State finished first according to two of the "wire service" polls which also both placed Georgia Tech...
. The organizations that chose the teams included: the United Press; the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
; and Collier's Weekly
Collier's Weekly
Collier's Weekly was an American magazine founded by Peter Fenelon Collier and published from 1888 to 1957. With the passage of decades, the title was shortened to Collier's....
.
Key
- AP = Associated PressAssociated PressThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
- UP = United Press
- COL = Collier's WeeklyCollier's WeeklyCollier's Weekly was an American magazine founded by Peter Fenelon Collier and published from 1888 to 1957. With the passage of decades, the title was shortened to Collier's....
- CP = Central Press AssociationCentral Press AssociationThe Central Press Association was an American newspaper syndication company based in Cleveland, Ohio. It was in business from 1910 to 1971. At its peak, the Central Press supplied features, columns, and photographs to more than 400 newspapers and 12 million daily readers.-History:Virgil Venice...
- INS = International News ServiceInternational News ServiceInternational News Service was a U.S.-based news agency founded by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in 1909.Established two years after the Scripps family founded the United Press Association, INS scrapped among the newswires...
- WC = Walter CampWalter CampWalter Chauncey Camp was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football". With John Heisman, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, Fielding H. Yost, and George Halas, Camp was one of the most accomplished persons in the early history of American football...
Football Foundation
Bold = Consensus All-American
- 1 - First Team Selection
- 2 - Second Team Selection
- 3 - Third Team Selection
Ends
- Bernie FlowersBernie FlowersBenjamin Bernard "Bernie" Flowers was a former American football player who played at the end position for the Purdue University where he became a consensus first-team All-American in 1952...
, Purdue (UP-1, UP-1, WC-1) - Tom Stolhandske, Texas (AP-1, INS-1)
- Joel D. "Joe" CollierJoe CollierJoel D. Collier is a former American football coach. He was head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills from 1966 through part of 1968, compiiling a 13–16–1 record....
, Northwestern (INS-1) - Harry BabcockHarry Babcock (American football)Harry Lewis Babcock was an American football end in the National Football League. He was the first overall selection in the 1953 NFL Draft....
, Georgia (AP-2)
Tackles
- Kline GilbertKline GilbertKline Gilbert was a professional American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He played five seasons for the Chicago Bears .-References:...
, Mississippi (AP-1) - David M. "Dave" SuminskiDave SuminskiDavid Mitchell Suminski was an American football guard in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals and the Washington Redskins...
, Wisconsin (AP-1) - Harvey Achziger, Colorado A&M (INS-1)
- Bob Fleck, Syracuse (INS-1)
- Ben Dunkerley, West Virginia (AP-2)
- Eldred Kraemer, Pittsburgh (AP-2)
Guards
- John J. MichelsJohn Michels (guard)John Joseph Michels was an American football offensive lineman who played for the University of Tennessee and in the National Football League . In 1952 he was a consensus first-team All-American. In 1996, Michels was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.-See also:* 1952 College Football...
, Tennessee (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1, UP-1, WC-1) - Marvin H. "Marv" MatuszakMarv MatuszakMarvin H. Matuszak was an American football linebacker in the National Football League and in the American Football League. He went to two NFL Pro Bowls and was once an AFL All-Star during his 12-year pro football career. After retiring he was an assistant coach in the pros for 16 seasons for five...
, Tulsa (AP-1) - Michael "Mike" Takacs, Ohio State (INS-1)
- Elmer Willhoite, Southern California (INS-1)
- James "Jim" Reichenbach, Ohio State (AP-2)
- Harley SewellHarley SewellHarley Edward Sewell is a former American football guard for the Detroit Lions , the Los Angeles Rams . He attended the University of Texas.-College career:...
, Texas (AP-2)
Centers
- Donn MoomawDonn MoomawDonn Moomaw is a retired American football player and Presbyterian minister.Moomaw played for UCLA as the center and linebacker for the team. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973....
, UCLA (College Football Hall of Fame) (UP-1, WC-1) - Samuel Morris "Pete" BrownPete Brown (American football)Samuel Morris Brown also known as Pete Brown was a National Football League player for the San Francisco 49ers. He played collegiately for the Georgia Tech football team. He graduated from Rossville High School in Rossville, GA.-External links:...
, Georgia Tech (AP-1) - Tom CatlinTom CatlinTom Catlin was a former American Football player and coach. He spent a total of 37 years in the NFL including defensive coordinator stints with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks ....
, Oklahoma (INS-1) - James Dooley, Penn State (AP-2)
Backs
- Jack ScarbathJack ScarbathJohn Carl "Jack" Scarbath is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers...
, Maryland (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1, COL-1, INS-1, LookLook (American magazine)Look was a bi-weekly, general-interest magazine published in Des Moines, Iowa from 1937 to 1971, with more of an emphasis on photographs than articles...
-1, UP-1) - Billy VesselsBilly VesselsBilly Vessels was a standout football player in his hometown of Cleveland, Oklahoma, where he was known as "Curly." He went on to play college football for the University of Oklahoma and win the 1952 Heisman trophy. He was the first Oklahoman to win the award, which is given to the nation's top...
, Oklahoma (Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1, INS-1, UP-1, WC-1) - Don McAuliffe, Michigan State (COL-1, UP-1)
- John P. "Johnny" OlszewskiJohnny OlszewskiJohn Peter Olszewski was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals, Washington Redskins, and the Detroit Lions. He also played with the American Football League's Denver Broncos in 1962...
, California (INS-1, AP-2) - Paul R. GielPaul GielPaul Robert Giel was a football and baseball player from Winona, Minnesota.Giel attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a star quarterback for the Gophers. His career totals were 2,188 yards rushing, 1,922 yards passing...
, Minnesota (AP-1) - Donald A. "Don" HeinrichDon HeinrichDonald Alan Heinrich was an American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Washington, and also played professionally for the NFL's New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, and in the American Football League for the Oakland Raiders in...
, Washington (AP-1) - Leon Hardeman, Georgia Tech (INS-1)
- Andy Kozar, Tennessee (AP-2)
- Bobby Marlow, Alabama (AP-2)
- Ed Mioduszewski, William & Mary (AP-2)
Ends
- Frank McPheeFrank McPheeFrank McPhie was a long-time Glasgow gangland boss. In May 2000, he was killed by a single shot to the head from a .22 rifle with telescopic sight outside his home in Guthrie Street, Maryhill, Glasgow, 500 yards from Maryhill Police Station, while his son watched...
, Princeton (INS-1, WC-1) - Don Branby, Colorado (AP-1)
- Thomas C. "Tom" Scott, Virginia (AP-1)
- Ed Bell, Pennsylvania (INS-1, AP-2)
- Ed Luke, Michigan State (AP-2)
Tackles
- Harold "Hal" MillerHal MillerSir Hilary Duppa "Hal" Miller , known as Hal Miller, is a British Conservative Party politician.Educated at Eton College, Miller graduated from Merton College, Oxford in 1956 and the University of London in 1962...
, Georgia Tech (UP-1, WC-1, AP-3) - Dick ModzelewskiDick ModzelewskiRichard Blair Modzelewski is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. He also served as interim head coach of the Browns in the final game of the 1977 season...
, Maryland (College Football Hall of Fame) (UP-1, WC-1) - John D. "J.D." Kimmel, Houston (AP-1)
- Charles W. "Charlie" LaPradd, Florida (AP-1)
- Douglas L. "Doug" AtkinsDoug AtkinsDouglas Leon Atkins is a former American football defensive end who played for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Tennessee under legendary head coach Robert Neyland...
, Tennessee (INS-1) - Jerry Minnick, Nebraska (INS-1)
- Edward A. "Ed" MeadowsEd MeadowsEdward Allen Meadows was an American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Redskins...
, Duke (AP-2) - William "Bill" Skyinskus, Syracuse (AP-2)
Guards
- Elmer Willhoite, Southern California (UP-1, WC-1, AP-2)
- Steve "Ike" EisenhauerSteve EisenhauerSteve Eisenhauer was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994....
, Navy (AP-1, INS-1) - Frank KushFrank KushFrank Joseph Kush is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Arizona State University from 1958 to 1979, compiling a record of 176–54–1...
, Michigan State (AP-1) - Chester Millett, Holy Cross (AP-2)
Linebackers
- Donn MoomawDonn MoomawDonn Moomaw is a retired American football player and Presbyterian minister.Moomaw played for UCLA as the center and linebacker for the team. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973....
, UCLA (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1) - Richard "Dick" Tamburo, Michigan State (AP-1, CP-1, INS-1)
- Koseph P. "Joe" SchmidtJoe SchmidtJoseph Paul Schmidt is a former American football player and coach at both the collegiate and professional levels. His 13-year career with the National Football League's Detroit Lions gained him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.-Collegiate career:Schmidt grew up in Pittsburgh,...
, Pittsburgh (INS-1) - Tom CatlinTom CatlinTom Catlin was a former American Football player and coach. He spent a total of 37 years in the NFL including defensive coordinator stints with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks ....
, Oklahoma (AP-2) - George A. Morris, Jr.George MorrisGeorge Morris may refer to:*George H. Morris, American hunter/jumper trainer* George Franklin Morris , U.S. federal judge*Sir George Lockwood Morris, ironfounder and Wales international rugby player...
, Georgia Tech (AP-2)
Backs
- Johnny LattnerJohnny LattnerJohn Joseph "Johnny" Lattner is a former American football player in the United States. He was a halfback for the University of Notre Dame where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1953, and won the Maxwell Award twice, in 1952 and 1953....
, Notre Dame (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1, INS-1, UP-1, WC-1) - Jim SearsJim SearsJames Herbert "Jimmy" Sears was a professional American football defensive back/halfback in the National Football League and the American Football League .-High school career:...
, Southern California (AP-1, INS-1, WC-1) - Bobby Morehead, Georgia Tech (AP-1, INS-1)
- Val Joe Morris, Southern Methodist (AP-2)
- Norris Mullis, South Carolina (AP-2)
- Gilbert "Gil" Reich, Kansas (AP-2)
Note: Because the "platoon system" was not fully accepted in 1952, several All-American players received 1952 honors on both offense and defense because those individuals played on both sides of the ball.
Heisman Trophy voting
The chart below reflects the point total in the 1952 Heisman TrophyHeisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
voting.
| Rank | Name | Position | School | Heisman points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Vessels Billy Vessels Billy Vessels was a standout football player in his hometown of Cleveland, Oklahoma, where he was known as "Curly." He went on to play college football for the University of Oklahoma and win the 1952 Heisman trophy. He was the first Oklahoman to win the award, which is given to the nation's top... |
Halfback Halfback (American football) A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive... |
Oklahoma | 525 |
| 2 | Jack Scarbath Jack Scarbath John Carl "Jack" Scarbath is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers... |
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
Maryland | 367 |
| 3 | Paul Giel Paul Giel Paul Robert Giel was a football and baseball player from Winona, Minnesota.Giel attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a star quarterback for the Gophers. His career totals were 2,188 yards rushing, 1,922 yards passing... |
Halfback Halfback (American football) A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive... |
Minnesota | 329 |
| 4 | Donn Moomaw Donn Moomaw Donn Moomaw is a retired American football player and Presbyterian minister.Moomaw played for UCLA as the center and linebacker for the team. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973.... |
Center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... |
UCLA | 257 |
| 5 | Johnny Lattner Johnny Lattner John Joseph "Johnny" Lattner is a former American football player in the United States. He was a halfback for the University of Notre Dame where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1953, and won the Maxwell Award twice, in 1952 and 1953.... |
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
Notre Dame | 253 |
| 6 | Paul Cameron | Halfback Halfback (American football) A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive... |
UCLA | 218 |
| 7 | Jim Sears Jim Sears James Herbert "Jimmy" Sears was a professional American football defensive back/halfback in the National Football League and the American Football League .-High school career:... |
Back | USC | 173 |
| 8 | Don McAuliffe | Halfback | Michigan State | 164 |
| 9 | Don Heinrich Don Heinrich Donald Alan Heinrich was an American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Washington, and also played professionally for the NFL's New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, and in the American Football League for the Oakland Raiders in... |
Quarterback | Washington | 153 |
| 10 | Tom Catlin Tom Catlin Tom Catlin was a former American Football player and coach. He spent a total of 37 years in the NFL including defensive coordinator stints with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks .... |
Center | Oklahoma | 150 |
Other individual awards
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
: Johnny LattnerJohnny LattnerJohn Joseph "Johnny" Lattner is a former American football player in the United States. He was a halfback for the University of Notre Dame where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1953, and won the Maxwell Award twice, in 1952 and 1953....
, end, Notre Dame - Walter Camp AwardWalter Camp AwardThe Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
(Back): Don McAuliffe, Michigan State - Knute Rockne Award (Lineman): Dick ModzelewskiDick ModzelewskiRichard Blair Modzelewski is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. He also served as interim head coach of the Browns in the final game of the 1977 season...
, tackle, Maryland - Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
: Dick ModzelewskiDick ModzelewskiRichard Blair Modzelewski is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. He also served as interim head coach of the Browns in the final game of the 1977 season...
, tackle, Maryland - AFCA Coach of the Year: Biggie MunnBiggie MunnClarence Lester "Biggie" Munn was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator in the United States. He was the head football coach at Albright College , Syracuse University , and most notably Michigan State College , where his 1952 squad won a national championship...
, Michigan State