The 1975 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 1975. 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 four selectors as "official" for the 1975 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); (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; and (4) 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. Other selectors included ''Football News'' (FN), 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), ''

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 ...

'' (TSN), ''

Time Time is the continued sequence of existence and events that occurs in an apparently irreversible succession from the past, through the present, into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequence events, to ...

'' magazine, and 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). Two players were unanimously selected by all four official selectors and all five unofficial selectors. They were defensive linemen

Steve Niehaus Steve Niehaus (born September 25, 1954) is a former United States, American defensive tackle who played for 4 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was the first draft pick for the Seattle Seahawks and the second player taken in the 1 ...

of Notre Dame and

Lee Roy Selmon Lee Roy Selmon (October 20, 1954 – September 4, 2011) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a defensive tackle at ...

of Oklahoma. The 1975 Oklahoma Sooners football team had eight players who received first-team honors. The Oklahoma honorees were Lee Roy Selmon, receiver

Tinker Owens Charles Wayne "Tinker" Owens is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for four seasons for the New Orleans Saints (1976, 1978–1980) in the National Football League The National Football League (NFL) ...

, offensive tackle Mike Vaughan, offensive guard Terry Webb, defensive end

Jimbo Elrod James Whittington "Jimbo" Elrod (May 25, 1954 – December 12, 2016) was an American football linebacker who was an All-American at the University of Oklahoma and played professionally for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Oilers of the Nati ...

, defensive tackle James White, middle guard

Dewey Selmon Dewey Willis Selmon (born November 19, 1953) is a former American football, football linebacker. He played collegiate football at University of Oklahoma, forming the defensive line with brothers Lucious Selmon, Lucious and Lee Roy Selmon, Lee Ro ...

, and return specialist

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 ...

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 ...

followed with five first-team honorees: offensive guard Ted Smith, quarterback

Cornelius Greene Cornelius Green (born January 21, 1954) is a former American football quarterback who played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was the first African American quarterback to start at Ohio State. Early years Green attended Dunbar ...

, running back and

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

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 ...

, defensive back Tim Fox, and punter

Tom Skladany Thomas Edward Skladany (born June 29, 1955) is a former American football punter who is widely considered to be, along with Ray Guy, one of the two greatest punters in college football history. Skladany later played in the NFL from 1978–1983. ...

Consensus All-Americans

The following chart identifies the NCAA-recognized consensus All-Americans for the year 1975 and displays which first-team designations they received.

Offense

Receivers

Steve Rivera Steve Rivera (born August 5, 1954) is a former American football wide receiver from the University of California. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers. High school years Rivera attended ...

, California *

Larry Seivers Larry Seivers (born March 30, 1954) is a former American football wide receiver who played college football at the University of Tennessee. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) in the fourth round of the ...

, Tennessee * Henry Marshall, Missouri *

Theo Bell Theopolis Bell, Jr. (December 21, 1953 – June 21, 2006) was an American football wide receiver who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bell, who was born and raised in B ...

, Arizona *

Don Buckey Donald Charles Buckey (born November 9, 1953) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League, NFL for the New York Jets. Buckey was the seventh player taken in the twelfth round of the 1976 NFL Draft directly before ...

, N.C. State * Larry Dorsey, Tennessee State * Dave Logan, Colorado *

, Oklahoma *

Steve Largent Stephen Michael Largent (born September 28, 1954) is an American former football wide receiver and politician who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. A member of the Republican Party, he serv ...

, Tulsa * Tony Hill, Stanford

Tight ends

Bennie Cunningham Bennie Lee Cunningham, Jr. (December 23, 1954 – April 23, 2018 Matt Connolly ''The State'', April 23, 2018 ) was an American football tight end. Cunningham was drafted out of the Clemson University in the 1976 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh ...

, Clemson * Mike Barber, Louisiana Tech *

Ken MacAfee Kenneth Adams MacAfee II (born January 9, 1956) is a former professional American football player. He played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame and professionally for the San Francisco 49ers. High school MacAfee grew up in Brockton, M ...

, Notre Dame * Barry Burton, Vanderbilt *

Don Hasselbeck Donald William Hasselbeck (born April 1, 1955) is a former professional football player, a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and the New York Giants. Early life ...

, Colorado

Tackles

* Bob Simmons, Texas *

Dennis Lick Dennis Allan Lick (born April 26, 1954) is a former American football offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears. Lick played six seasons with the Bears from 1976 to 1981. He was signed out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison A universi ...

, Wisconsin * Rod Walters, Iowa *

Mark Koncar Mark Koncar is a former American football offensive tackle. He is a graduate from Murray High School located in Murray, Utah. After graduating high school Koncar attended the University of Colorado Boulder. Koncar was drafted by the Green Bay Pa ...

, Colorado *

Marvin Powell Marvin Powell Jr. (August 30, 1955 – September 30, 2022) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football ...

, USC * Mike Vaughan, Oklahoma * Brad Oates, BYU * Lamar Parrish, Georgia *

Dan Jiggetts Danny Marcellus Jiggetts (born March 10, 1954) is a retired American football offensive lineman. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1976 NFL Draft. Early life Jiggetts was born in Brooklyn, but grew up on Long Island when his paren ...

, Harvard

Guards

Randy Johnson Randall David Johnson (born September 10, 1963), nicknamed "The Big Unit", is an American photographer and former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (1988–2009) for six teams, primarily the Seattle M ...

, Georgia * Ted Smith, Ohio State * Ken Jones, Arkansas State * Joe Devlin, Iowa * Terry Webb, Oklahoma *

Tom Rafferty Thomas Michael Rafferty (born August 2, 1954) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for head coach Joe Paterno at Penn State University. Early years ...

, Penn State *

Randy Cross Randall Laureat Cross (born April 25, 1954) is an American football analyst and former player. He was a right guard and center in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and was inducted into the Colle ...

, UCLA * Mickey Marvin, Tennessee * Ken Long, Purdue * Carl Dean, New Mexico State

Centers

* Rik Bonness, Nebraska *

Pete Brock Peter Brock (born November 1936) is an American automotive and trailer designer, author and photojournalist, who is best known for his work on the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe and Corvette Sting Ray. Early life and education Peter Elbert Brock ...

, Colorado * James Files, McNeese State *

Ray Pinney Raymond Earl Pinney Jr. (born June 29, 1954) is a former American football offensive tackle and guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was selected by the Steelers in the second round ...

, Washington * Leo Tierney, Georgia Tech

Quarterbacks

John Sciarra John Michael Sciarra (born March 2, 1954) is a former professional American football safety in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1978 to 1983. He also played receiver for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Fo ...

, UCLA *

Craig Penrose Craig R. Penrose (born July 25, 1953) is a former professional American football quarterback. He spent five seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Denver Broncos (1976–1979) and the New York Jets (1980) and 2 seasons with the ...

, San Diego State *

Marty Akins Martin Ray Akins (born January 6, 1954) is a former college All-American football player and politician. He started as quarterback for the Texas Longhorns in the early 1970s and was the only Longhorn quarterback to start three seasons directing ...

, Texas *

Gene Swick Gene Swick (born c. 1955) is an American former football player. He played college football as a quarterback for the University of Toledo from 1972 to 1975, and the Cleveland Browns selected Swick in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft, but sub ...

, Toledo *

, Ohio State * Jeff Grantz, South Carolina

Running backs

, Ohio State * Ricky Bell, USC *

Chuck Muncie Harry Vance "Chuck" Muncie (March 17, 1953 − May 13, 2013) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL) from 1976 to 1984. He was ...

, California *

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 *

Earl Campbell Earl Christian Campbell (born March 29, 1955), nicknamed "the Tyler Rose", is an American former professional football player who played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. Kn ...

, Texas * Jimmy DuBose, Florida *

, Oklahoma *

Gordon Bell Chester Gordon Bell (born August 19, 1934) is an American electrical engineer and manager. An early employee of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) 1960–1966, Bell designed several of their PDP machines and later became Vice President of Engi ...

, Michigan * Louie Giammona, Utah State

Defense

Defensive ends

* Leroy Cook, Alabama *

, Oklahoma * Troy Archer, Colorado * Bob Martin, Nebraska * Jimmy Lisko, Arkansas State * Duncan McColl, Stanford *

Kim Bokamper Kim Bokamper (born September 25, 1954) is a former American football linebacker and defensive end who played his entire nine-year career with the National Football League (NFL)'s Miami Dolphins from 1977 in sports, 1977 to 1985 in sports, 1985. ...

, San Jose State * Randy Cozens, Pittsburgh * Nate Toran, Rutgers

Defensive tackles

Leroy Selmon Lee Roy Selmon (October 20, 1954 – September 4, 2011) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a defensive tackle ...

, Oklahoma *

, Notre Dame *

Ken Novak Ken Novak (born July 3, 1954) is a former an American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) in the 1970s. He played college football at Purdue University and was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 1 ...

, Purdue * James White, Oklahoma State * Mike Dawson, Arizona * Edgar Fields, Texas A&M *

Gary Jeter Gary Michael Jeter (January 24, 1955 – March 9, 2016) was a professional American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). An All-American at the University of Southern California in 1976, Jeter was drafted by the New Yor ...

, USC * Nick Buonamici, Ohio State * Bob Baumhower, Alabama

Middle guards

, Oklahoma *

Cliff Frazier Clifford Henry Frazier (23 November 1952 – 17 August 2014) was an American football player and actor. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he was a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, starting 12 of 14 games for the Chiefs in 1977. He had ...

, UCLA * Tim Davis, Michigan * Tom Higgins, NC State

Linebackers

Ed Simonini Edward Clyde Simonini (February 2, 1954 – September 30, 2019) was an American football linebacker who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts and New Orleans Saints. College Simonini was born in Ports ...

, Texas A&M *

Greg Buttle Gregory Ellis Buttle (born June 20, 1954 in Atlantic City, New Jersey) is a retired American football linebacker for the New York Jets. He played college football at Penn State University. He was named a Consensus All-American in 1975. In 20 ...

, Penn State * Sammy Green, Florida *

Kevin McLain Kevin Wayne McLain (born September 15, 1954) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was a 1st round selection (26th overall pick) in the 1976 NFL Draft out of Colorado State University. McLain played f ...

, Colorado State * Woody Lowe, Alabama *

Larry Gordon Larry Gordon (July 8, 1954 – June 25, 1983) was an American football linebacker who played seven seasons in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins. A member of the Dolphins' Silver Anniversary team, he was in the starting lineup ...

, Arizona State * Ray Preston, Syracuse * Reggie Williams, Dartmouth * Garth Ten Nappel, Texas A&M * Brian Ruff, The Citadel * Phil Heck, California *

Calvin O'Neal Calvin O'Neal (born October 6, 1954) is a former professional American football linebacker who played for the Baltimore Colts in 1978 and was an All-American and team co-captain for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1976. Amateur career ...

, Michigan *

Gary Spani Gary Spani (born January 9, 1956) 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 Special Events for the Chiefs. Spani w ...

, Kansas State * Donnie Thomas, Indiana

Defensive backs

* Tim Fox, Ohio State * Pat Thomas, Texas A&M *

Chet Moeller Chet Moeller (born December 30, 1953) is a retired 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 eleven players on a r ...

, Navy * Mike Haynes, Arizona State *

Don Dufek Donald Patrick Dufek Jr. (born April 28, 1954) is a former American football player who played safety and special teams for eight seasons with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He had previously played for the Michigan W ...

, Michigan * James Hunter, Grambling *

Kurt Knoff Kurt L. Knoff is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers and the Minnesota Vikings. A graduate of East Grand Forks Senior High School in East Grand Forks, Minneso ...

, Kansas *

Wonder Monds Wonderful Terrific Monds Jr. (born May 3, 1952) is a former American football defensive back who played one season with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). His unusual name was originally given to his father when, after ...

, Nebraska * Jim Bolding, East Carolina *

Lester Hayes Lester Craig Hayes (born January 22, 1955) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Hayes was commonly referred to as "the Judge" an ...

, Texas A&M * Shafer Suggs, Ball State * Danny Reece, USC * Bill Armstrong, Wake Forest * Tom Marvaso, Cincinnati

Special teams

Kickers

Chris Bahr Christopher Kurt Bahr (born February 3, 1953) is a former professional American football and soccer player. He was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) and played midfielder in the North American Soccer League. High school Atte ...

, Penn State * Bob Berg, New Mexico * Dave Lawson, Air Force

Punters

, Ohio State * Rick Engles, Tulsa

Returner

, Oklahoma

Key

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

Official selectors

* AFCA –

* AP –

* FWAA –

* UPI –

Other selectors

* FN – ''Football News'' * NEA –

* TSN – ''

'' * Time – ''Time'' magazine * WC –

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

Consensus All-Americans

Offense

Receivers

Tight ends

Tackles

Guards

Centers

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Defense

Defensive ends

Defensive tackles

Middle guards

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Kickers

Punters

Returner

Key

Official selectors

Other selectors

See also

References