1981 College Football All-America Team
Encyclopedia
The 1981 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, and The Sporting 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 chose a team 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, and 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"...
.
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 chose a team 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
- Anthony Carter, Michigan (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN)
- Perry TuttlePerry TuttlePerry Tuttle is a former Clemson football standout in the early 1980s. His career continued into the National Football League and Canadian Football League...
, Clemson, (NEA, TSN) - Julius DawkinsJulius DawkinsJulius Dawkins is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL Draft...
, Pittsburgh (AP) - Stanley Washington, TCU (FWAA)
Tight ends
- Tim WrightmanTim WrightmanTimothy Jon "Tim" Wrightman is a former professional American football tight end. He played for two seasons for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Wrightman played college football at UCLA and was drafted in the 3rd round by the Chicago Bears in the 1982 NFL draft...
, UCLA (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA) - Pat BeachPat BeachPatrick Jesse Beach was a professional American football tight end in the National Football League for eleven seasons for the Baltimore Colts, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and Phoenix Cardinals. He played college football at Washington State University and was drafted in the sixth...
, Washington State (TSN)
Tackles
- Terry TauschTerry TauschTerry Tausch was a guard in the National Football League. Tausch attended the University of Texas at Austin....
, Texas (AP, UPI, WC, TSN) - Terry Crouch, Oklahoma (AFCA, FWAA)
- Ed MuranskyEd MuranskyEdward William "Ed" Muransky is a former professional American football offensive tackle who played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League and Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League . He was a member of the Super Bowl XVIII Champion Raiders...
, Muchigan (AP, UPI) - Bubba ParisBubba ParisWilliam "Bubba" Paris is a former professional American football offensive lineman who played for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL from 1983 to 1990. He was a member of three 49er teams that won the Super Bowl...
, Michigan (WC) - John Meyer, Arizona State (NEA)
- Jimbo CovertJim CovertJames Paul "Jimbo" Covert is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Institute for Transfusion Medicine and a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears.-High school:Covert excelled in both football and wrestling at Freedom Area High...
, Pittsburgh (NEA) - Luis SharpeLuis SharpeLuis Ernesto Sharpe is a former professional American football tackle who played 13 seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals from 1982 through 1994. A 3-time Pro Bowl selection, Sharpe was selected by the Cardinals in the 1st round of the 1982 NFL Draft...
, UCLA (TSN)
Guards
- Sean FarrellSean FarrellSean Farrell is a former American Football guard who played mainly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Farrell played college football for Penn State University, where he was named to two All-American teams. Sean starred at Westhampton Beach High School both on the football and track fields....
, Penn State (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN) - Roy Foster, USC (UPI, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN)
- Kurt BeckerKurt BeckerKurt Frank Becker is a former professional American football player who played guard for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams. An offensive guard at the University of Michigan, Becker started in 36 consecutive games...
, Michigan (AP, NEA, AFCA) - David Drechsler, North Carolina (FWAA)
Centers
- Dave RimingtonDave RimingtonDave Brian Rimington is a former American football center. He is considered by many to be the greatest center in the history of college football.-College career:...
, Nebraska (AP, UPI, WC, AFCA, FWAA) - Brad EdelmanBrad EdelmanBrad M. Edelman was an American football guard in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints...
, Missouri (NEA, TSN)
Quarterbacks
- Jim McMahonJim McMahonJames Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
, BYU (AP, UPI, FWAA, AFCA-t) - Dan MarinoDan MarinoDaniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
, Pittsburgh (NEA, WC, AFCA-t, TSN)
Running backs
- Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
, USC (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN) - Herschel WalkerHerschel WalkerHerschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...
, Georgia (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN) - Curt WarnerCurt WarnerCurtis Edward Warner is a former professional American football running back. A two-time All-American at Penn State University, Warner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft...
, Penn State (UPI, WC) - Rich Diana, Yale (FWAA)
- Darrin NelsonDarrin NelsonDarren Milo Nelson is a former professional American football player in the National Football League....
, Stanford (AFCA)
Ends
- Billy Ray Smith, Arkansas (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN)
- Jimmy WilliamsJimmy Williams (linebacker)James Henry Williams is a former American Football linebacker who played mainly for the Detroit Lions in a 11 year career that lasted from 1982 to 1993 in the National Football League....
, Nebraska (NEA, WC, AFCA) - Andre TippettAndre TippettAndre Bernard Tippett is a former American football linebacker who played for the New England Patriots of the NFL. Currently, he is the Patriots' Executive Director of Community Affairs. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.-Personal life:Tippett was born in Birmingham,...
, Iowa (AP, UPI, FWAA) - David Galloway, Florida (FWAA)
- Steve Clark, Utah (FWAA)
Tackles
- Kenneth SimsKenneth SimsKenneth Wayne Sims is a former American professional football player who was selected by the New England Patriots as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'5", 272 lbs. defensive end from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time All-American...
, Texas (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN) - Lester WilliamsLester Williams (American football)Lester Williams is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League, mainly for the New England Patriots. Williams was an All-American at the University of Miami in 1981. He was drafted in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft....
, University of Miami (Fla.) (UPI, NEA, WC, TSN) - Glen CollinsGlen CollinsGlen Collins is an association football player who represented New Zealand at international level.-Club career:He played as a midfielder and returned to football to play for NZFC outfit Canterbury United having switched codes to rugby for five years.-International career:He has played 3 times for...
, Mississippi State (AFCA, TSN) - Jeff GaylordJeff GaylordJeff Gaylord is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American regional and independent promotions including Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation, World Class Championship Wrestling and the United States Wrestling Association during the late 1980s and 1990s, most...
, Missouri (AP) - Harvey ArmstrongHarvey ArmstrongHarvey Lee Armstrong is a former professional American football defensive tackle who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts. He played college football at Southern Methodist.-References:...
, SMU (AFCA)
Middle guards
- Tim KrumrieTim KrumrieTimothy A. Krumrie is a former American football nose tackle who played his entire NFL career for the Cincinnati Bengals, from 1983 through 1994...
, Wisconsin (AP, WC, UPI) - Emanuel Weaver, South Carolina (NEA)
Linebackers
- Bob CrableBob CrableBob Crable . He is a 1978 graduate of Archbishop Moeller High School with an accomplished high school football career...
, Notre Dame (AP, UPI, WC, AFCA, TSN) - Johnie CooksJohnie CooksJohnie Earl Cooks is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Baltimore Colts as the second overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'4", . linebacker from Mississippi State University, Cooks played in ten NFL seasons from 1982-1991 for the Colts, New York Giants, and...
, Mississippi State (AP, NEA, FWAA, TSN) - Chip BanksChip BanksWilliam Chip Banks is a former professional American football linebacker.He graduated from Lucy Craft Laney High School, Augusta, GA.-Professional career:...
, USC (UPI, WC, TSN) - Jeff DavisJeff Davis (American football)Jeff Davis is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson.Davis was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007.-College career:Davis...
, Clemson (UPI, AFCA, FWAA) - Sal SunseriSal Sunseri- External links :* at Rivals.com* at panthers.com...
, Pittsburgh (AP, AFCA, FWAA) - Tom Boyd, Alabama (NEA, WC)
Backs
- Mike Richardson, Arizona State (AP, WC, FWAA, TSN)
- Tommy Wilcox, Alabama (AP, UPI, WC, AFCA)
- Terry KinardTerry KinardAlfred "Terry" Terance Kinard , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Giants in the 1st round of the 1983 NFL Draft. A 6'1", 200-lb...
, Clemson (AP, NEA, FWAA) - Fred MarionFred MarionFred Donald Marion , is a former American football defensive back who was selected by the New England Patriots in the 5th round of the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'2". 192 lbs. defensive back from the University of Miami, Marion played for the Patriots, from 1982-1991...
, Miami (Fla.) (UPI, AFCA) - John Krimm, Notre Dame (NEA, TSN)
- Johnny Jackson, Air Force (FWAA)
- Steve Cordle, Fresno St. (AFCA)
- Vann McElroyVann McElroyVann William McElroy , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the third round of the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'2", 193-lb., safety from Baylor University, McElroy played in nine NFL seasons from 1982 to 1990 for the Raiders and Seattle Seahawks....
, Baylor (WC) - Ray HortonRay HortonRaymond Anthony Horton is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys. During that time, he recorded 19 interceptions and returned them for 264 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also recovered 8 fumbles, which he returned for...
, Washington (NEA) - Matt Vanden Boom, Wisconsin (UPI)
- Paul Sorensen, Washington State (NEA)
- Rodney Lewis, Nebraska (TSN)
- James Burroughs, Michigan State (TSN)
Kickers
- Morten AndersenMorten AndersenMorten Andersen , nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League kicker. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and...
, Michigan State (UPI, WC, TSN) - Bruce Lahay, Arkansas (NEA, FWAA)
- Gary Anderson, Syracuse (AP)
- Danny Miller, Miami (Fla.) (FN)
Punters
- Reggie RobyReggie RobyReginald Henry "Reggie" Roby was an American football punter in the National Football League and a three-time Pro Bowler. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa...
, Iowa (AP,UPI, WC, FWAA) - Rohn StarkRohn StarkRohn Taylor Stark is a former American football punter who played 16 seasons in the National Football League, 13 of those with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts...
, Florida State (NEA, 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
- PFW - Pro Football Weekly
- FN - Football News
- 1 - First Team Selection
- 2 - Second Team Selection