In 2025, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Associated Press' annual All-America college football team, a panel of AP sportswriters selected an all-time first and second team composed of the top players between 1925 and 2025.
Since 1925, nearly 2,000 men have earned AP first-team All-America honors. To be considered for the AP All-Time All-America list, a player must have received first-team recognition at least once. As a result, notable players like Anthony Muñoz were never eligible and punter Ray Guy was also excluded because the Associated Press did not select punters for its All-America team during his era.
Selected players
Position Player Team Tenure AP first-team All-America selections First-team Offense QB Tim Tebow Florida 2006–2009 2007 RB Barry Sanders Oklahoma State 1986–1988 1988 Herschel Walker Georgia 1980–1982 1980, 1981, 1982 WR Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh 2002–2003 2003 Randy Moss Marshall 1996–1997 1997 TE Brock Bowers Georgia 2021–2023 2023 OT Bill Fralic Pittsburgh 1981–1984 1982, 1983, 1984 Orlando Pace Ohio State 1994–1996 1995, 1996 G John Hannah Alabama 1970–1972 1972 Jim Parker Ohio State 1954–1956 1956 C Chuck Bednarik Penn 1945–1948 1947, 1948 First-team Defense DE Hugh Green Pittsburgh 1977–1980 1978, 1979, 1980 Randy White Maryland 1972–1974 1973, 1974 DT Bronko Nagurski Minnesota 1927–1929 1929 Ndamukong Suh Nebraska 2005–2009 2009 LB Dick Butkus Illinois 1962–1964 1963, 1964 Chris Spielman Ohio State 1984–1987 1986, 1987 Derrick Thomas Alabama 1985–1988 1988 CB Deion Sanders Florida State 1985–1988 1987, 1988 Charles Woodson Michigan 1995–1997 1996, 1997 S Ronnie Lott USC 1977–1980 1980 Ed Reed Miami (FL) 1997–2001 2000, 2001 First-team Special Teams K Sebastian Janikowski Florida State 1997–1999 1998, 1999 P Tory Taylor Iowa 2020–2023 2023 All-purpose Johnny Rodgers Nebraska 1970–1972 1972
Position Player Team Tenure AP first-team All-America selections Second-team Offense QB Vince Young Texas 2002–2005 2005 RB Tony Dorsett Pittsburgh 1973–1976 1973, 1976 Archie Griffin Ohio State 1972–1975 1974, 1975 WR Desmond Howard Michigan 1988–1991 1991 DeVonta Smith Alabama 2017–2020 2020 TE Keith Jackson Oklahoma 1984–1987 1986, 1987 OT Bryant McKinnie Miami (FL) 1999–2001 2001 Jonathan Ogden UCLA 1992–1995 1995 G Brad Budde USC 1976–1979 1979 John Smith Notre Dame 1925–1927 1927 C Dave Rimington Nebraska 1979–1982 1981, 1982 Second-team Defense DE Bruce Smith Virginia Tech 1981–1984 1984 Bubba Smith Michigan State 1964–1966 1966 DT Warren Sapp Miami (FL) 1991–1994 1994 Lee Roy Selmon Oklahoma 1972–1975 1975 LB Brian Bosworth Oklahoma 1984–1986 1985, 1986 Jerry Robinson UCLA 1975–1978 1976, 1977, 1978 Lawrence Taylor North Carolina 1977–1980 1980 CB Champ Bailey Georgia 1996–1998 1998 Tyrann Mathieu LSU 2010–2011 2011 S Bennie Blades Miami (FL) 1984–1987 1986, 1987 Al Brosky Illinois 1950–1952 1951 Second-team Special Teams K Martin Gramatica Kansas State 1994–1998 1997 P Reggie Roby Iowa 1979–1982 1981 All-purpose Tim Brown Notre Dame 1984–1987 1986, 1987
Notes and references Notes
References
External links AP All-Time All-America college football team