The 1973 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 1973. The

National Collegiate Athletic Association 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 ...

(NCAA) recognizes six selectors as "official" for the 1973 season. They are: (1) 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) which selected its team for Kodak based on a vote of the nation's coaches; (2) 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 ...

(AP) selected based on the votes of sports writers at AP newspapers; (3) 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) selected by the nation's football writers; (4) 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) selected based on the votes of sports writers at NEA newspapers; (5) the

United Press International 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 ...

(UPI) selected based on the votes of sports writers at UPI newspapers; and (6) the

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 ...

(WC). Five players are recognized by the NCAA as unanimous All-America selections. They are: (1) running back and 1973

Heisman Trophy The Heisman Memorial Trophy (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard ...

winner

John Cappelletti John Cappelletti (born August 9, 1952) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) with the Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers. Prior to his professional career, he att ...

Penn State #Redirect Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campu ...

; (2) offensive tackle

John Hicks Sir John Richards Hicks (8 April 1904 – 20 May 1989) was a British economist. He is considered one of the most important and influential economists of the twentieth century. The most familiar of his many contributions in the field of economic ...

Ohio State The Ohio State University, commonly called Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. A member of the University System of Ohio, it has been ranked by major institutional rankings among the best public ...

; (3) defensive end John Dutton of

Nebraska Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the southwe ...

; (4) middle guard

Lucious Selmon Lucious Selmon (born March 15, 1951) is a collegiate and professional American football nose guard, and football coach. He began his coaching career in 1976 at his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, and has also coached on professional teams ...

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...

; and (5) linebacker

Randy Gradishar Randy Charles Gradishar (born March 3, 1952) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a middle linebacker in the 1970s and 1980s for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Ohio, ...

of Ohio State.

Consensus All-Americans

The following chart identifies the NCAA-recognized consensus All-Americans for the year 1973 and displays which first-team designations they received.

Offense

Receivers

Lynn Swann Lynn Curtis Swann (born March 7, 1952) is an American former football player, broadcaster, politician, and athletic director, best known for his association with the University of Southern California and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He served on the ...

, USC (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, NEA-1, UPI-1, FN, Time, TSN) *

Wayne Wheeler Wayne Bidwell Wheeler (November 10, 1869 – September 5, 1927) was an American attorney and longtime leader of the Anti-Saloon League. The leading advocate of the prohibitionist movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s, he played a major ...

, Alabama (WC, FN, TSN) * Danny Buggs, West Virginia (AFCA, AP-2, UPI-2) * John Holland, Tennessee State (Time) * Hank Cook, New Mexico State (AP-3) *

Pat McInally John Patrick McInally (born May 7, 1953) is an American former football player who was a punter and wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). McInally was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame i ...

, Harvard (NEA-2)

Tight ends

Dave Casper David John Casper (born February 2, 1952) nicknamed "the Ghost", is an American former football player best known for being a prominent member of the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). He was a tight end and also played as a ...

, Notre Dame (AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, NEA-1, UPI-1, WC) *

Andre Tillman Andre Tillman (born November 1, 1952) is a former American football tight end in the National Football League. Growing up he attended Lake Highlands High School. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 1974 NFL Draft. As ...

, Texas Tech (AP-1) * J.V. Cain, Colorado (NEA-2, Time, TSN) * Randy Grossman, Temple (AP-3) *

Paul Seal Paul Nathan Seal (born February 27, 1952) is a former American football player. He played college football as a tight end for the University of Michigan from 1971 to 1973 and professional football as a tight end in the National Football League ( ...

, Michigan (UPI-2)

Tackles

, Ohio St. (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, NEA-1, UPI-1, WC, FN, Time, TSN) *

Booker Brown Booker Taylor Brown (September 25, 1952 – July 18, 2022) was an American football offensive tackle who played two seasons with the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the sixth ro ...

, USC (AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, NEA-1 G UPI-2 G FN G Time, TSN G * Daryl White, Nebraska (AFCA, AP-2, NEA-2 G UPI-1, FN, TSN G * Steve Riley, USC (Time, TSN) * Al Oliver, UCLA (NEA-1) * Henry Lawrence, Florida A. & M (NEA-2 G Time) * Eddie Foster, Oklahoma (WC) * Charlie Getty, Penn State (AP-3, UPI-2 G * Jim O'Connor, Arizona (AP-3)

Guards

* Buddy Brown, Alabama (AFCA, AP-1 T FWAA, UPI-1) * Bill Yoest, N.C. State (AP-1, FWAA, NEA-2 T UPI-1, WC, FN) * Tyler Lafauci, LSU (AFCA, AP-1, NEA-1) * Mark Markovich, Penn State (AP-2, UPI-2) * Dave Manning, Utah State (AP-2) * Frank Pomarico, Notre Dame (UPI-2) *

Dave Lapham Dave Lapham (born June 24, 1952) is a former professional football offensive lineman for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League's New Jersey Generals (1984–1985). During hi ...

, Syracuse (AP-3) * Willie Viney, Pacific (AP-3)

Centers

Bill Wyman William George Wyman (né Perks; born 24 October 1936) is an English musician who achieved international fame as the bassist for the Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1993. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member ...

, Texas (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, NEA-1, UPI-1, WC, FN) * Scott Anderson, Missouri (AP-3, NEA-2, UPI-2, Time) *

Steve Corbett Stephen Paul Corbett (born August 11, 1951) is a former American football offensive guard who played one season for the New England Patriots The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston are ...

, Boston College (TSN) * Steve Taylor, Auburn (AP-2)

Quarterbacks

David Jaynes David Duane Jaynes (born December 12, 1952) is a former American football quarterback. He played in college at the University of Kansas, where he was selected to the 1973 College Football All-America Team. That same year, he was a finalist for t ...

, Kansas (AFCA, AP-1, NEA-2, UPI-1, WC, FN, Time, TSN) *

Danny White Wilford Daniel White (born February 9, 1952) is a former quarterback and punter for the Dallas Cowboys and an American football coach in the Arena Football League. He has been the color commentator for Cowboys games on Compass Media Networks' ...

, Arizona State (AP-2, FWAA, NEA-1, UPI-2) * Jesse Freitas, San Diego State (AP-3)

Running backs

, Penn St. (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, NEA-1, UPI-1, WC, FN, Time, TSN) *

Roosevelt Leaks Roosevelt Leaks Jr. (born January 31, 1953) is a former All-American running back and 2005 inductee to the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the first black All-American player in University of Texas history and went on to play in the Nat ...

, Texas (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, NEA-2, UPI-1, WC, FN) * Woody Green, Arizona St. (AFCA, AP-2, UPI-2, WC, TSN) *

Kermit Johnson Kermit DeKoven Johnson (born February 22, 1952) is a former American football running back who played two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round o ...

, UCLA (AP-2, FWAA, NEA-1, UPI-2, FN) *

Tony Dorsett Anthony Drew Dorsett Sr. (born April 7, 1954) is a former American football running back who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. From Western Pennsylvania, Dorsett attended the ...

, Pittsburgh (AP-1, NEA-1, UPI-2) *

Bo Matthews William Pierce Matthews (born November 15, 1951) is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first round (second overall) of the 1974 NFL Draft. Prior to pla ...

, Colorado (Time) *

Archie Griffin Archie Mason Griffin (born August 21, 1954) is a former American football running back. He played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. As college football's only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, he is considered one of the grea ...

, Ohio State (AP-2, NEA-2, UPI-1) * Sonny Collins, Kentucky (NEA-2) * Dickey Morton, Arkansas (AP-3) *

Barty Smith Barton Elliott "Barty" Smith (born March 23, 1952) is a former fullback for the National Football League from Richmond, Virginia. High school He graduated from Douglas Freeman High School where he was a four-sport star. Smith was selected as th ...

, Richmond (AP-3) *

Joe Washington Joe Dan Washington Jr (born September 24, 1953) is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons. Early career Washington gradua ...

, Oklahoma (AP-3)

Defense

Defensive ends

* John Dutton, Nebraska (AP-1 T UPI-1 T NEA-1, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN T Time, FN T *

Dave Gallagher David Thomas Gallagher (born September 20, 1960) is an American former professional baseball journeyman outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for seven teams, during his nine-year big league career (–). Early life Gallagher w ...

, Michigan (AP-1 T NEA-1, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN T Time) *

Van DeCree Van Ness DeCree, from Warren, Ohio, is a former American Football, football defensive end who was a two-time All-American (1973 College Football All-America Team, 1973, 1974 College Football All-America Team, 1974) at Ohio State University. DeCre ...

, Ohio State (UPI-1, FN) *

Roger Stillwell Roger Howard Stillwell (November 17, 1951 – February 19, 2006) was an American football defensive end and defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinals and later was drafted by th ...

, Stanford (UPI-1, FN) * Pat Donovan, Stanford (AP-1) * Randy White, Maryland (AP-1) * Fred McNeil, UCLA (TSN)

Defensive tackles

* Ed Jones, Tennessee State (NEA-1, TSN E Time) *

Randy Crowder Randolph Channing Crowder Sr. (born July 30, 1952) is a former American football defensive lineman in the NFL. He played three seasons with the Miami Dolphins and three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He attended Penn State University, where he wa ...

, Penn State (UPI-1, FN) *

Bill Kollar William Wallace Kollar (born November 27, 1952) is an American football coach and former player. Kollar played as a defensive tackle in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1974 to 1976, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1977 to 1981. Kollar ...

, Montana State (NEA-1, Time) * Paul Vellano, Maryland (AFCA) * Charlie Hall, Tulane (WC)

Middle guards

, Oklahoma (AP-1, UPI-1, NEA-1, WC, AFCA, FWAA, FN) *

Tony Cristiani Tony Cristiani is a former American football defensive lineman who played college football for the University of Miami. He was a two-time All-American and a consensus All-American in 1973. Cristiani was also a member of the Chicago Fire, Detr ...

, Miami (FL) (WC, FWAA)

Linebackers

, Ohio St. (AP-1, UPI-1, NEA-1, WC, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, Time, FN) * Richard Wood, USC (AP-1, UPI-1, WC, AFCA, FN) *

Rod Shoate Roderick Shoate (April 26, 1953 – October 4, 1999) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was a four-time All-Big 8 Conference Player and a three-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma. He played seven ...

, Oklahoma (AP-1, NEA-1, AFCA, FN) * Ed O'Neil, Penn State (WC, Time, TSN) * Woodrow Lowe, Alabama (NEA-1, FWAA) * Warren Capone, LSU (AFCA, FWAA) *

Waymond Bryant Waymond Bryant (born July 28, 1952) is a former American football linebacker. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears. Biography Bryant was born in Dallas, Texas and attended Franklin D. Roosevelt Hi ...

, Tennessee State (TSN, Time) * Cleveland Vann, Oklahoma State (FWAA)

Defensive backs

* Mike Townsend, Notre Dame (AP-1, UPI-1, NEA-1, WC, FWAA, TSN Time, FN) * Artimus Parker, USC (AP-1, UPI-1, WC, Time) * Dave Brown, Michigan (UPI-1, AFCA, FWAA) * Randy Rhino, Georgia Tech (UPI-1, WC, AFCA) * Jimmy Allen, UCLA (AP-1, NEA-1) * Jeris White, Hawaii (TSN B Time) *

Matt Blair Albert Matthew Blair (September 20, 1950 – October 22, 2020) was an American professional football player who was an outside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) for all 12 seasons of his career from 1974 ...

, Iowa St. (AFCA) * John Moseley Missouri (FWAA) *

Bill Simpson E. J. "Bill" Simpson (March 14, 1940 – December 16, 2019) was an American racecar driver, but is best known as a pioneer in the racing safety business with his company Simpson Performance Products. He left Simpson Performance in a controversy s ...

, Michigan State (TSN B * Carl Capria, Purdue (TSN * Kenith Pope, Oklahoma (Time) * Harry Harrison, Mississippi (NEA-1) * Eddie Brown, Tennessee (FN) * Alvin Brown, Oklahoma State (FN)

Special teams

Kickers

* Ricky Townsend, Tennessee (FWAA, NEA-2) *

Efren Herrera Efren or Efrén is a given name. Notable people with the name include: *Efrén Echeverría (born 1932), musician guitarist, composer, and compiler from Paraguay *Efrén Pérez Rivera (born 1929), former college professor and noted Puerto Rican envi ...

, UCLA (TSN) * Mike Lantry, Michigan (FN)

Punters

Chuck Ramsey Lowell Wallace "Chuck" Ramsey (born February 24, 1952), is a former American football American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of el ...

Wake Forest, (FWAA, NEA-1 Time, TSN)

Returners

* Steve Odom, Utah (FWAA)

Key

Official selectors

Other selectors

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