1972 College Football All-America Team
Encyclopedia
The 1972 College Football All-America team is composed of various organizations that choose College All-America teams that season. The organizations that chose the teams were Associated Press
, United Press International
, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America
, American Football Coaches Association
, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News
, Time magazine, Pro Football Weekly
, and Football News.
AP, UPI, and NEA were all press organizations that polled writers and players. FWAA was also a poll of writers, as was the Walter Camp Foundation. The AFCA was a poll of college coaches. The Sporting News and Time polled football scouts and the editors of Pro Football Weekly and Football News chose teams for their publications. AP, UPI, NEA, The Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly chose both first and second teams. AP, UPI, NEA, also listed numerous honorable mentions.
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...
, United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America
Football Writers Association of America
The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
, American Football Coaches Association
American Football Coaches Association
The American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
, Time magazine, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Football Weekly
Pro Football Weekly is an American sports magazine, founded in 1967, that covers the National Football League...
, and Football News.
AP, UPI, and NEA were all press organizations that polled writers and players. FWAA was also a poll of writers, as was the Walter Camp Foundation. The AFCA was a poll of college coaches. The Sporting News and Time polled football scouts and the editors of Pro Football Weekly and Football News chose teams for their publications. AP, UPI, NEA, The Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly chose both first and second teams. AP, UPI, NEA, also listed numerous honorable mentions.
Receivers
- Johnny RodgersJohnny RodgersJohnny Steven Rodgers is a former American college football player voted the University of Nebraska's "Player of the Century" and the winner of the 1972 Heisman Trophy.-College career:...
, Nebraska (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, Time, FN) - Steve HoldenSteve Holden (American football)Steve Holden is a former American football wide receiver who played with the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League....
, Arizona State (FWAA, TSN, Time, FN) - Barry SmithBarry Smith (American football)Barrett Benjamin Smith is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played 42 games for the Green Bay Packers. In 1973, the Green Bay Packers used the 21st pick in the 1st round of the 1973 NFL Draft to sign Smith out of the Florida State University. Smith went...
, Florida State (AFCA)
Tight ends
- Charles YoungCharle YoungCharle Edward Young is a former American football tight end who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973–1976, the Los Angeles Rams from 1977–1979, the San Francisco 49ers from 1980–1982, and the Seattle Seahawks from...
, USC (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, Time, FN)
Tackles
- Jerry SisemoreJerry SisemoreJerald Grant "Jerry" Sisemore is a former American football offensive lineman who played for 12 seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973–1984...
, Texas (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, Time, FN) - Paul SeymourPaul Seymour (American football)Paul Christopher Seymour is a former professional American football player. He played five seasons for the Buffalo Bills.A 6'5", 250 lbs...
, Michigan (NEA, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, Time) - John HicksJohn Hicks (American football)John Charles Hicks Jr. is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He is best remembered for being the last lineman to be runner-up in the vote for the Heisman Trophy.-College career:...
, Ohio State (AP, WC) - Pete AdamsPete AdamsPeter Anthony Adams is a former American football guard.-Pro career:Adams played four seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns.-College career:...
, USC (UPI, Time) - John Dampeer, Notre Dame (FN)
Guards
- John Hannah, Alabama (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, Time, FN)
- Ron Rusnak, North Carolina (AP, UPI, AFCA, FWAA)
- Skip Singletary,Temple (WC)
- Daryl White, Nebraska (NEA)
- Joe DeLamielleureJoe DeLamielleureJoseph Michael DeLamielleure is a former American football offensive lineman who was an All-American at Michigan State. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He won All-Rookie Honors, after finding out a physical condition with his irregular heartbeat was...
, Michigan State (TSN) - Geary Murdock, Iowa State (FN)
Centers
- Tom BrahaneyTom BrahaneyThomas Brahaney is a former American football center who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals.He played college football at Oklahoma, where he was an All-American...
, Oklahoma (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, FWAA, TSN, Time, FN) - Jim Krapf, Alabama (AFCA)
Quarterbacks
- Bert JonesBert JonesBertram Hays "Bert" Jones is a former LSU and NFL quarterback who played for the then Baltimore Colts and, briefly, the Los Angeles Rams. At Ruston High School, he was given the nickname, "The Ruston Rifle"...
, LSU (NEA, AFCA, TSN, Time, FN) - John HufnagelJohn HufnagelJohn Coleman Hufnagel is a Canadian football coach and former pro quarterback. He is currently the head coach of the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League...
, Penn State (AP, WC) - Gary HuffGary HuffGary Earl Huff , who graduated from Leto Senior High School in Tampa, Florida and played college football and baseball at Florida State University, was a professional football quarterback. He was an All-American at FSU, where he led the nation in touchdown passes in 1971 and 1972...
, Florida State (FWAA)
Running backs
- Greg PruittGreg PruittGregory Donald Pruitt is a former American football running back in the NFL from 1973 through 1984. He was selected to five Pro Bowls, four as a member of the Cleveland Browns and one as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders, the last one as a kick returner...
, Oklahoma (AP, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, FN) - Otis ArmstrongOtis ArmstrongOtis Armstrong was a running back in the NFL. He played for the Denver Broncos for his entire career from 1973-1980. Before his NFL career, Armstrong played for Purdue University becoming the school's all-time leading rusher...
, Purdue (AP, WC, FWAA, TSN) - Dick JauronDick JauronRichard Manuel Jauron is the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was the head coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2006 until November 2009. Jauron has previously held head coaching positions with the Chicago Bears and, on an interim basis, with the...
, Yale (WC, AFCA) - Sam CunninghamSam CunninghamSamuel Lewis "Sam" Cunningham, Jr is a retired American football fullback. The media referred to him as Sam "Bam" Cunningham.-College career:...
, USC (NEA, AFCA) - Woody GreenWoody GreenWoodrow Green, Jr. is a former American football running back who played for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Green was drafted by the Chiefs in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft. He is an alumnus of, set many rushing records, and was a first-team AP all-American while...
, Arizona State (AP, NEA)
Ends
- Willie HarperWillie HarperWillie Miles Harper is a former American Football linebacker who played for the San Francisco 49ers.Harper played high school football for Toledo Scott and college football at University of Nebraska where he was an All-American in 1972 and was drafted in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft by...
, Nebraska (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, TSN, FN) - Bruce BannonBruce BannonBruce Patrick Bannon is a former professional American football player. He played linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League in 1973 and 1974. He resides in Pennsylvania...
, Penn State (UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FN) - Wally ChambersWally ChambersWallace Hashim Chambers is a former American football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears and defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1970s...
, Eastern Kentucky (TSN, Time) - John MatuszakJohn MatuszakJohn Daniel "Tooz" Matuszak was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League who later became an actor. He was the first draft pick of 1973 and played most of his career with the Oakland Raiders until he retired after winning his second Super Bowl in 1981...
, Tampa (TSN, Time)
Tackles
- Greg Marx, Notre Dame (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, Time, FN)
- Dave ButzDave ButzDavid Butz is a former American Football defensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the St...
, Purdue (UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, TSN, Time) - Roger Goree, Baylor (AP, FWAA)
- John Grant, Southern California (FWAA)
- Derland MooreDerland MooreDerland Paul Moore was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints and the New York Jets. An All-American, he played college football at the University of Oklahoma and was selected in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft...
, Oklahoma (AP) - John LeHeup, South Carolina (AFCA)
- Bud Magrum, Colorado (FWAA)
- George Hasenohrl, Ohio State (FN)
Middle guards
- Rich GloverRich GloverRichard Edward "Richie" Glover is a former professional football player, a defensive tackle for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. He played college football at Nebraska under head coach Bob Devaney. Glover played his high school football at Snyder High School in Jersey City, NJ...
, Nebraska (AP, UPI, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, Time, FN)
Linebackers
- Randy GradisharRandy GradisharRandy Charles Gradishar is a former college and professional American football linebacker who played in the 1970s and 1980s. Randy Gradishar is currently the Director of Corporate Communications for the Phil Long Dealerships in Colorado...
, Ohio State (AP, UPI, AFCA, FWAA, FN) - Steve Brown, Oregon State (NEA, WC, TSN, Time)
- John SkorupanJohn SkorupanJohn Paul Skorupan is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. He played college football at Penn State University and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1973 NFL Draft...
, Penn State (AP, NEA, FWAA) - Jamie Rotella, Tennessee (UPI, AFCA, FN)
- Richard Wood, USC (AP, FN)
- Jim YoungbloodJim YoungbloodJimmy Lee Youngblood is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins...
, Tennessee Tech (NEA, Time) - Tom JacksonTom Jackson (American football)Thomas Louie "Tom" Jackson, also referred to as "TJ" or "Tommy", is an NFL analyst for ESPN and a former Pro Bowl linebacker for the Denver Broncos.-College:...
, Louisville (WC) - Warren CaponeWarren CaponeWarren Capone , was a professional American football linebacker in the World Football League and National Football League. He played college football at Louisiana State University...
, LSU (FWAA) - John Mitchell, Alabama (AFCA)
Backs
- Brad Van PeltBrad Van PeltBrad Alan Van Pelt was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League....
, Michigan State (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, Time) - Cullen BryantCullen BryantWilliam Cullen Bryant was a professional American football player who spent thirteen seasons in the National Football League as a running back and return specialist for the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks...
, Colorado (UPI, NEA, AFCA, TSN, Time) - Randy LoganRandy LoganRandolph "Randy" Logan is a former American football safety who played for eleven seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1983. He was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Michigan...
, Michigan (UPI, WC, AFCA, FN) - Bob Popelka, Southern Methodist (AP, WC, FWAA)
- Burgess OwensBurgess OwensClarence Burgess Owens is a retired safety who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders...
, Miami (TSN, Time) - Jackie WallaceJackie WallaceJackie Wallace was an American college and professional football player. A star at Arizona, he played six professional seasons as a cornerback from 1974-1979. He started for the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX. He was the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 1973 NFL draft.-References:...
, Arizona State (TSN, Time) - Conrad Graham, Tennessee (UPI, FN)
- Randy Rhino, Georgia Tech (FWAA)
- Calvin JonesCalvin Jones (cornerback)Calvin Jones is a former cornerback of the Denver Broncos. He collegiately played for Washington Huskies. He graduated from Balboa High School in the Fall of 1968.- References :...
, Washington (AP) - Drane Scrirener, Tulsa (NEA)
- Frank Dowsing, Mississippi State (FN)
- Ray GuyRay GuyWilliam Ray Guy is a retired American football punter for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Coming from the University of Southern Mississippi, he was the only pure punter ever to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft when the Oakland Raiders selected him in 1973.Guy was a key member of...
, Southern Mississippi (WC)
Kickers
- Ricky Townsend, Tennessee (FWAA)
- Chris Gartner, Indiana (TSN)
Key
- AP - Associated Press
- UPI - United Press International
- NEA - Newspaper Enterprise Association
- FWAA - Football Writers Association of America
- WC - Walter Camp Foundation
- AFCA - American Football Coaches Association
- TSN - The Sporting News
- Time - Time Magazine
- PFW - Pro Football Weekly
- FN - Football News
- 1 - First Team Selection
- 2 - Second Team Selection