The 1955 College Football All-America team is composed of

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

players who were selected as

All-America The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed upon an amateur sports person from the United States who is considered to be one of the best amateurs in their sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an All-Am ...

ns by various organizations and writers that chose

College Football All-America Team The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best college football players in the United States at their respective positions. The original use of the term ''All-America'' seems to have been to the 1889 College Football ...

s in 1955. The eight selectors recognized by the

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges an ...

as "official" for the 1955 season are (1) the All-America Board (AAB), (2) the

American Football Coaches Association The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) is an association of over 11,000 American football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "mainta ...

(AFCA), (3) the

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...

, (4) the

Football Writers Association of America The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) is an organization of college football media members in the United States founded in 1941. It is composed of approximately 1,200 professional sports writers from both print and Internet media out ...

(FWAA), (5) the

International News Service The International News Service (INS) was a U.S.-based news agency (newswire) founded by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in 1909.

(INS), (6) the

Newspaper Enterprise Association The Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) is an editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1902. The oldest syndicate still in operation, the NEA was originally a secondary news ...

(NEA), (7) the ''

Sporting News The ''Sporting News'' is a website and former magazine publication owned by Sporting News Holdings, which is a U.S.-based sports media company formed in December 2020 by a private investor consortium. It was originally established in 1886 as a pr ...

'' (SN), and (8) the

United Press United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20th c ...

(UP).

Consensus All-Americans

For the year 1955, the NCAA recognizes eight published All-American teams as "official" designations for purposes of its consensus determinations. The following chart identifies the NCAA-recognized consensus All-Americans and displays which first-team designations they received.

All-American selections for 1955

Ends

Ron Beagle Ronald Beagle (February 7, 1934 – September 8, 2015) was an American football End (gridiron football), end. Beagle was born in Hartford, Connecticut but played high school football in Cincinnati. The 6 foot one inch, 185-pounder entered the Uni ...

, Navy *

Ron Kramer Ronald John Kramer (June 24, 1935 – September 11, 2010) was a multi-sport college athlete and professional American football player. Kramer attended the University of Michigan from 1953 to 1957, winning a total of nine varsity letters in fo ...

, Michigan *

Howard Schnellenberger Howard Leslie Schnellenberger (March 16, 1934 – March 27, 2021) was an American football coach with long service at both the professional and college levels. He held head coaching positions with the National Football League's Baltimore Colts a ...

, Kentucky *

Joe Walton Joseph Frank Walton (December 15, 1935 – August 15, 2021) was an American football player and coach who retired after 20 years as the head coach and creator of the football program at Robert Morris University. Walton played eight seasons in t ...

, Pittsburgh *

Rommie Loudd Rommie Lee Loudd (June 8, 1933 – May 9, 1998) was an American former collegiate and professional American football player, coach, and executive. He was the first black assistant coach in the American Football League and the first black majority ...

, UCLA *

Harold Burnine Harold Henry "Hank" Burnine (November 9, 1932 – January 21, 2020) was an American football End (American football), end who played two seasons in the National Football League with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. He was drafted by t ...

, Missouri *

Tom Maentz Tom Maentz (born c. 1934) is a former American football player who played end for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1954-1956. Maentz played on offense and defense and also served as the punter for the Michigan football team. Maentz a ...

, Michigan * John Paluck, Pittsburgh *

Bill Walker Bill Walker may refer to: Australian rules football * Bill A. Walker (1886–1934), Australian rules footballer for Essendon * Bill Walker (Australian footballer, born 1883) (1883–1971), Australian rules footballer for Fitzroy * Bill J. V. Wal ...

, Maryland *Joe Tuminello, LSU *

Jim Katcavage James Richard Katcavage (October 28, 1934 – February 22, 1995) was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) who played thirteen seasons for the New York Giants. From 1952 until 1956, Katcavage played c ...

, Dayton *Dave Howard, Wisconsin * Henry Gremminger, Baylor *

Menan Schriewer Menan Clyde Schriewer (September 20, 1934December 30, 2013) was an American football and Canadian football end. He attended Texas, and was a three-year letterman. Schriewer led the Longhorns in receiving in his junior and senior years, and recor ...

, Texas

Tackles

Norm Masters Norman Donald Masters (September 19, 1933 – April 19, 2011) was an American football offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Masters graduated from its St. Mary of Redford High School, and played c ...

, Michigan State *

Bruce Bosley Bruce Lee Bosley (November 5, 1933 – April 26, 1995) was a former American football Guard and Center who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in a fourteen-year career in which he was selected to appear in 4 Pro Bowls (1 ...

, West Virginia *

Sam Huff Robert Lee "Sam" Huff (October 4, 1934 – November 13, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. He played college foot ...

, West Virginia *

John Witte John August Witte (January 29, 1933 – March 17, 1993) was an American football tackle who played one season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the 195 ...

, Oregon State * Frank D'Agostino, Auburn *

Mike Sandusky Mike Sandusky (born March 13, 1935) is a former All Pro guard who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1957 NFL Draft. Sandusky attended the University of Maryland. Sandusky ...

, Maryland *

Paul Wiggin Paul David Wiggin (born November 18, 1934) is a former American football player and coach who currently serves as the senior consultant for pro personnel with the Minnesota Vikings. After graduating from Stanford University in 1957,

, Stanford *

Herb Gray Herbert Eser Gray (May 25, 1931 – April 21, 2014) was a Canadian lawyer who became a prominent federal politician. He was a Liberal member of parliament for the Windsor area over the course of four decades, from 1962 to 2002, making Gray on ...

, Texas *Phil Tarasovic, Yale *Francis Machinsky, Ohio State *

Carl Vereen Carl Harry Vereen (born January 27, 1936) is a former offensive tackle in the National Football League. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1957 NFL Draft The 1957 National Football League draft had its first four rounds held on Novembe ...

, Georgia Tech *Roger Siesel, Miami (Ohio) *Fred Robinson, Washington *John Jankins, Arizona State

Guards

Bo Bolinger Virgilee Clinton "Bo" Bolinger (December 26, 1932 – August 5, 2011) was an American football guard who played one season with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals of the National ...

, Oklahoma *

Cal Jones Calvin Jack Jones (February 7, 1933 – December 9, 1956) was a college football player for the University of Iowa. Jones is one of only two Iowa football players (along with Nile Kinnick) to have his jersey number retired by the school. Jon ...

, Iowa (Outland Trophy and College Football Hall of Fame) *

Hardiman Cureton Hardiman Cureton (December 8, 1933 - October 1, 2003) was an American player of Canadian football. He played high school football for the Monrovia Wildcats. He played the tackle position. Cureton was a dominant offensive guard and also played ...

, UCLA * Jim Parker, Ohio State * Tony Sardisco, Tulane * Pat Bisceglia, Notre Dame * Scott Suber, Mississippi State * James D. Brown, UCLA *Orlando Ferrante, USC *Buck Nystrom, Michigan State *Jim Buonopane, Holy Cross *William Meigs, Harvard *Franklin Brooks, Georgia Tech *Bryan Burnthorne, Tulane

Centers

Bob Pellegrini Robert Francis Pellegrini (November 13, 1934 – April 11, 2008) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at University of Maryland, Co ...

, Maryland *

Hugh Pitts Hugh Lynn Pitts (April 8, 1934 – April 14, 2017) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams. He also was a member of the Houston Oilers in the American Football League (AFL). He play ...

, Texas Christian *

Jerry Tubbs Jerry may refer to: Animals * Jerry (Grand National winner), racehorse, winner of the 1840 Grand National * Jerry (St Leger winner), racehorse, winner of 1824 St Leger Stakes Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Jerry'' (film), a 2006 Indian film ...

, Oklahoma (College Football Hall of Fame) *Ken Vargo, Ohio State *Steve DeLatorre, Florida

Quarterbacks

Earl Morrall Earl Edwin Morrall (May 17, 1934 – April 25, 2014) was an American football player who was a quarterback (and occasional punter) in the National Football League (NFL) for 21 seasons, both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he beca ...

, Michigan State * George Welsh, Navy *Claude Benham, Columbia

Halfbacks

Howard Cassady Howard Albert "Hopalong" Cassady (March 2, 1934 – September 20, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a halfback and split end. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1955, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame ...

, Ohio State *

Paul Hornung Paul Vernon Hornung (December 23, 1935 – November 13, 2020), nicknamed "the Golden Boy", was an American professional football player who was a Hall of Fame running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) from 195 ...

, Notre Dame * Jim Swink, TCU *

Jon Arnett Jon Dwane "Jaguar Jon" Arnett (April 20, 1935 – January 16, 2021) was an American professional football player. He was a first-team All-American out of USC and Manual Arts High School. Arnett died on January 16, 2021, from heart failure in L ...

, Southern California * Tommy McDonald, Oklahoma *

Art Davis Arthur David Davis (December 6, 1934 – July 29, 2007) was a double-bassist, known for his work with Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner and Max Roach. Biography Davis was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United State ...

, Mississippi State * Ed Vereb, Maryland *

Jim Brown James Nathaniel Brown (born February 17, 1936) is a former American football player, sports analyst and actor. He played as a fullback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) from 1957 through 1965. Considered to be one ...

, Syracuse *

Gary Glick Gary Galen Glick (May 14, 1930 – February 11, 2015) was a professional American football safety who played six seasons in the National Football League before he concluded his career in the American Football League for one season. He was the num ...

, Colorado A&M *Sam Brown, UCLA * Charley Horton, Vanderbilt *

Fob James Forrest Hood "Fob" James Jr. (born September 15, 1934) is an American civil engineer, entrepreneur, football player, and politician. He served as the 48th governor of Alabama, first as a Democrat, 1979–1983, and secondly as a Republican, 199 ...

, Auburn *

Lenny Moore Leonard Edward Moore (born November 25, 1933) is an American former professional football player who played both halfback and flanker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts from 1956 to 1967. He played college football f ...

, Penn State (Pro Football Hall of Fame) *Charley Sticka, Trinity *Paige Cothren, Mississippi *Bob Pascal, Duke

Fullbacks

* Don Schaefer, Notre Dame *

Joe Childress Joe Childress (October 26, 1933 – May 5, 1986) was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers. College years Childress was a two-time All-American at Auburn and was considered the fi ...

, Auburn * Bob Davenport, UCLA *

Jerry Planutis Gerald Robert Planutis (born May 18, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan – May 20, 2021) was a former American football halfback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Michigan State University an ...

, Michigan State

Key

* Bold – Consensus All-American * -1 – First-team selection * -2 – Second-team selection * -3 – Third-team selection

Official selectors

* AAB = All-America Board * AFCA =

, for ''

Collier's Weekly ''Collier's'' was an American general interest magazine founded in 1888 by Peter Fenelon Collier. It was launched as ''Collier's Once a Week'', then renamed in 1895 as ''Collier's Weekly: An Illustrated Journal'', shortened in 1905 to ''Colli ...

'' magazine * AP =

* FWAA =

* INS =

International News Service The International News Service (INS) was a U.S.-based news agency (newswire) founded by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in 1909.

: selected based on "recommendations of INS football experts from coast-to-coast with the assistance of coaches, scouts, broadcasters and newspaper sports editors." * NEA =

: All-Americans selected by the NEA received "solid gold Longines-Wittnauer watches, handsome and specially designed certificates and, perhaps best of all, testimonial dinners in their old home towns." * SN = ''

'' * UP =

Other selectors

* CP =

Central Press Association The Central Press Association was American newspaper syndication company based in Cleveland, Ohio. It was in business from 1910 to 1971. Originally independent, it was a subsidiary of King Features Syndicate from 1930 onwards. At its peak, the ...

* Jet - '' Jet'' magazine * NBC - National Broadcasting Co. * WC -

Walter Camp Football Foundation The Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF) is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The organization also presents various awards. It is named in honor of foo ...

References

{{College Football All-America Teams

All-America Team The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed upon an amateur sports person from the United States who is considered to be one of the best amateurs in their sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an All-Am ...

College Football All-America Teams