1976 College Football All-America Team
Encyclopedia
The 1976 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
, Football News and the Tom Harmon
-selected team, for College 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 College Football News, 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...
, Football News and the Tom Harmon
Tom Harmon
Thomas Dudley Harmon was a star player in American college football, a sports broadcaster, and patriarch of a family of American actors...
-selected team, for College 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 College Football News, 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
- Larry Seivers, Tennessee (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, TSN, CFN)
- Jim SmithJim Smith (American football)Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
, Michigan (AP, TSN, FN) - Wes ChandlerWes ChandlerWesley Sandy "Wes" Chandler is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for eleven seasons in the 1970s and 1980s...
, Florida (NEA) - Luther Blue, Iowa State (FWAA)
Tight ends
- Ken MacAfeeKen MacAfeeKenneth Adams MacAfee, Jr. , is a former college and professional American football player. He played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame and professionally for the San Francisco 49ers.-High school:...
, Notre Dame (UPI, WC, AFCA, FWAA, CFN) - Giovanni Strassini, Ohio State (AP, NEA, TSN, FN)
Tackles
- Mike Vaughan, Oklahoma (AP, UPI, WC, AFCA, FWAA, FN)
- Warren BryantWarren Bryant (American football)Warren Bryant is a former American football offensive lineman from 1977 through 1984 in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Kentucky.-External links:*...
, Kentucky (WC, AFCA, TSN, CFN) - Marvin PowellMarvin PowellMarvin Powell is a former Offensive Tackle for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-College career:Powell was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994...
, USC (UPI, TSN, FN) - Morris TownsMorris TownsMorris M. Towns is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Missouri....
, Missouri (NEA, FN, CFN) - Mike WilsonMike Wilson (offensive lineman)Mike Wilson is a former American football player who played offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks from 1978 to 1989. He played with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1977, where he was an All-Star.Wilson helped...
, Georgia, (AP, NEA) - Chris WardChris Ward (American football)Christopher Lamar James Ward is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Ohio State University....
, Ohio State (AFCA)
Guards
- Mark Donahue, Michigan (UPI, NEA, WC, FWAA, FN)
- Joel Parrish, Georgia (UPI, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN)
- Steve Schindler, Boston College (NEA, FWAA, TSN, CFN)
- Ted AlbrechtTed AlbrechtTheodore Carl Albrecht is a former professional American football player who played offensive tackle for five seasons for the Chicago Bears. Albrecht currently serves as an analyst for Northwestern University football broadcasts on WGN.-References:...
, California (AP) - T.J. Humphreys, Arkansas State (AP)
- Bill Dufek, Michigan (CFN)
Centers
- Derrel GofourthDerrel GofourthDerrel Gofourth was one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Oklahoma State University history in 1974-1976. He played in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers from 1977 to 1982 before moving on to the San Diego Chargers from 1983 to 1984.-External links:*...
, Oklahoma St. (UPI, AFCA, FN) - Billy BryanBilly BryanBilly Bryan is a former American football center in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 4th round of the 1977 NFL Draft out of Duke University. He went on to play for the Broncos from 1977–1988 and was All-Pro in 1985....
, Duke (WC, FWAA) - John YarnoJohn YarnoJohn Richard Yarno is a former professional football player, an offensive lineman with the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL...
, Idaho (AP) - R. C. ThielemannR. C. ThielemannRay Charles Thielemann is a former American football guard in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins. Thielemann played college football at the University of Arkansas and was drafted in the second round of the 1977 NFL Draft....
, Arkansas (NEA) - Bob RushBob Rush (American football)Robert Jeffrey Rush is a former professional American football center. He played in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs . He played college football for the University of Memphis....
, Memphis State (TSN) - Mitch Kahn, UCLA (CFN)
Quarterbacks
- Tommy KramerTommy KramerThomas Francis Kramer is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the NFL from 1977 to 1990...
, Rice (AP, UPI, WC, AFCA, CFN) - Gifford NielsenGifford NielsenGifford Nielsen is a former NFL quarterback who played for the Houston Oilers. He announced his retirement as the sports director of KHOU-TV in Houston, TX, on March 30, 2009...
, BYU (FWAA) - Joe RothJoe Roth (American football)Joe Roth was a college football player, an All-American quarterback at the University of California, Berkeley. Roth played the 1976 season with melanoma and died 3 months after his last regular season game , in February 1977...
, California (TSN) - Vince FerragamoVince FerragamoVince Anthony Ferragamo is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League.-College career:...
, Nebraska (FN) - Jeff Dankworth, UCLA (UPI)
Running backs
- Tony DorsettTony DorsettAnthony "Tony" Drew Dorsett is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.-Early years:...
, Pittsburgh (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, FN, CFN) - Ricky BellRicky Bell (running back)Ricky Lynn Bell younger brother of recording artist Archie Bell, was an American professional football player who played running back in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1982...
, USC (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, FN, CFN) - Rob LytleRob LytleRob Lytle was an American football running back who played for the Denver Broncos of NFL. He attended the University of Michigan . Lytle was drafted in the second round of the 1977 NFL Draft by Denver with the 45th overall pick.Lytle was born in Fremont, Ohio...
, Michigan (AP, UPI, WC, AFCA, FN, CFN) - Terry MillerTerry MillerTerry Miller was an American football running back in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks. He was an All-American at Oklahoma State University in 1976 and 1977 and finished second in the 1977 Heisman Trophy voting....
, Oklahoma State (AP, FWAA) - Wendell TylerWendell TylerWendell Avery Tyler , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 3rd round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 198 lbs...
, UCLA (NEA)
Ends
- Ross BrownerRoss BrownerRoss Browner is a former American football defensive end who played ten seasons in the NFL, mainly for the Cincinnati Bengals. He is the father of current Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks, and brother of Joey Browner and Keith Browner...
, Notre Dame (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, FN, CFN) - Bob BrudzinskiBob BrudzinskiRobert Louis Brudzinski is a former American football linebacker who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League.-Ohio State:...
, Ohio State (AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, CFN) - Mike ButlerMike Butler (American football)Michael Anthony Butler is a former American football defensive end who played seven seasons for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League. He also played two seasons for the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League....
, Kansas (NEA, TSN, FN) - Duncan McColl, Stanford (UPI, WC, CFN)
Tackles
- Joe CampbellJoe CampbellJoseph Campbell is a former American football player who played Defensive End in the National Football League from 1977 through 1981 for the New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Maryland. In 1992, Campbell was inducted into the Delaware Sports...
, Maryland (NEA, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, CFN) - Wilson WhitleyWilson WhitleyWilson Whitley was a consensus All-American defensive tackle at the University of Houston from 1972-1976 under defensive coordinator Don Todd. He led the Cougars to the Southwest Conference championship in football during Houston's first season as a conference member and was won the 1976 Lombardi...
, Houston (AP, WC, AFCA, FWAA) - Mike Fultz, Nebraska (UPI, WC, TSN, FN)
- Gary JeterGary JeterGary Michael Jeter is a former professional American football defensive end in the National Football League...
, Southern California (UPI, NEA, FWAA) - Eddie EdwardsEddie Edwards (American football)Eddie Edwards is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League.Edwards was born in Sumter, South Carolina and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida. He played high school football at Fort Pierce Central High School. He attended the University of Miami, where he was a consensus...
, Miami (Fla.) (AP) - Phil DokesPhil DokesPhilip Dennis Dokes was a National Football League defensive end/defensive tackle who played for two seasons. He played for the Buffalo Bills from 1977 to 1978...
, Ohlahoma State (CFN)
Linebackers
- Robert JacksonRobert Jackson (linebacker)Robert Lee Jackson is a former National Football League linebacker who played for the Cleveland Browns and the Atlanta Falcons between 1977 and 1982....
, Texas A&M (AP, NEA, UPI, WC, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, FN) - Jerry RobinsonJerry Robinson (American football)Jerry Dewayne Robinson is a former professional American football linebacker who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League. He played in Super Bowl XV with the Philadelphia Eagles and went to the Pro Bowl after the 1981 season.Robinson starred at UCLA, where he was a three-time...
, UCLA (AP, NEA, FWAA, FN) - Thomas HowardThomas Howard, Sr.James Thomas Howard is a former American football linebacker who played nine seasons in the National Football League. His son, Thomas Howard, currently plays in the NFL as a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals. The elder Howard wore the jersey number #52 for the Kansas City Chiefs and #59 for...
, Texas Tech (WC, AFCA, CFN) - Calvin O’Neal, Michigan (UPI, WC, TSN, CFN)
- Brian Ruff, The Citadel (AP)
- Kurt AllermanKurt AllermanKurt Allerman is a former American Football linebacker who played nine seasons in the National Football League.He played college football at Penn State, where he was an All-American in 1976....
, Penn State (UPI) - Gary SpaniGary SpaniGary Spani is a former NFL linebacker who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1978-1986. He has worked for the Chiefs' front office since 1989, and is currently the director of tickets and events marketing for the Chiefs....
, Kansas State (FN)
Backs
- Bill Armstrong, Wake Forest (AP, UPI, WC, AFCA FWAA, TSN)
- Dave Butterfield, Nebraska (UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FN, CFN)
- Gary GreenGary Green (American football)Gary Francis Green is a former American football cornerback. A star at Baylor, he played nine professional seasons as a cornerback from 1977-1985 in the National Football League....
, Baylor (AP, NEA, AFCA, TSN, CFN) - Dennis ThurmanDennis ThurmanDennis Lee Thurman is a retired American football cornerback in the National Football League.- Early life :...
, USC (AP, WC, FWAA) - Oscar Edwards, UCLA (UPI, AFCA)
- Luther BradleyLuther BradleyLuther Bradley is a former professional American football player who played four seasons for the Detroit Lions. He later played with the Chicago Blitz, Arizona Wranglers and Houston Gamblers of the USFL...
, Notre Dame (WC, FN) - Stan Black, Mississippi State (NEA)
- Mike DavisMike Davis (American football)Michael Leonard Davis is a retired American football safety.-College career:Davis played college football at the University of Colorado.-Professional career:...
, Colorado (NEA) - Lester HayesLester HayesLester Hayes is a former professional American football player for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League....
, Texas A&M (TSN) - Eric Harris, Memphis State(CFN)
Kickers
- Tony Franklin, Texas A&M (UPI, FWAA, CFN)
- Steve LittleSteve Little (American football)Steven Richard Little was an American football kicker and punter in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the third-highest drafted kicker in NFL history, with first highest pick being Charlie Gogolak of Princeton University and second being Russell Erxleben...
, Arkansas (AFCA) - Neil O'DonoghueNeil O'DonoghueCornelis Joseph Connor Dennis "Neil" O'Donoghue is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League ....
, Auburn (TSN)
Punters
- Tom SkladanyTom SkladanyThomas Edward Skladany was an American football punter with a six-year career in the National Football League from 1978 to 1983. Skladany was a three-time All-American at The Ohio State University—. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1981 season.Simmons....
, Ohio State (NEA, TSN, CFN) - Russell ErxlebenRussell ErxlebenRussell Erxleben is a former American football player and currency investor. He shares the record for the longest field goal in NCAA history, originally set in 1977 while playing for the University of Texas. Erxleben was a three-time All-America punter...
, Texas (FWAA) - Glen Walker, Southern California (NEA)
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
- CFN - College Football News (Tom Harmon)
- FN - Football News