The 1984 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 in the United States, American football rules first gained populari ...

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 1984. 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 ...

(NCAA) recognizes five selectors as "official" for the 1984 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. new ...

(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); (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 2 ...

(UPI) selected based on the votes of sports writers at UPI newspapers; and (5) 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 fo ...

(WC). Other selectors included ''Football News'' (FN), Gannett News Service (GNS), 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), and ''

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).

Offense

Receivers

* David Williams, Illinois (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, GNS, NEA-1, TSN) * Eddie Brown, Miami (Fla.) (AFCA, AP-1, UPI-2, NEA-1) *

Jerry Rice Jerry Lee Rice (born October 13, 1962) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. Known primarily as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, winning three champion ...

, Miss. Valley State (FWAA, GNS, NEA-1, TSN) * Tracy Henderson, Iowa State (AP-2, FN-1, NEA-2) * Gerard Phelan, Boston College (AP-2) *

Reggie Bynum Reginald Deshain Bynum (born February 10, 1964) is a former professional American football wide Receiver in the National Football League. He was the 9th-round draft pick (#222 overall) of the Buffalo Bills in the 1986 NFL Draft The 1986 NFL d ...

, Oregon State (NEA-2) * James Maness, TCU (AP-3) *

Larry Ray Willis Larry Ray Willis (born 1963-07-13) is a former Canadian Football League wide receiver who played 9 seasons for 5 different teams from 1986-1993, and a former Arena Football League offensive specialist who played for the Connecticut Coyotes in ...

, Fresno State (AP-3)

Tight ends

Jay Novacek Jay McKinley Novacek (born October 24, 1962) is a former American football tight end in the National Football League who played for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals (1985–1989) and the Dallas Cowboys (1990–1995). Novacek was a five-time Pr ...

, Wyoming (CFHOF) (AFCA, UPI-1, NEA) * Rob Bennett, West Virginia (WC) * Mark Bavaro, Notre Dame (AP-1) *

Carl Hilton Carl Patrick Hilton (born February 28, 1964) is a former professional American football player who played tight end The tight end (TE) is a position in American football, arena football, and Canadian football, on the offense. The tight en ...

, Houston (TSN) * Jon Hayes, Iowa (GNS) * Willie Smith, Miami (AP-2) *

Keli McGregor Keli Scott McGregor (January 23, 1963 – April 20, 2010) was a professional football player in the NFL and was president of the Colorado Rockies from 2001 until his death. School sport McGregor was a multi-sport athlete at Lakewood High Schoo ...

, Colorado State (UPI-2, NEA-2) * Alan Andrews, Rutgers (AP-3)

Tackles

* Bill Fralic, Pittsburgh (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, GNS, NEA-1, TSN) *

Lomas Brown Lomas Brown Jr. (born March 30, 1963) is an American former college and professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Brown played college ...

, Florida (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-2, WC, NEA-1, TSN) *

Ken Ruettgers Kenneth Francis Ruettgers (born August 20, 1962) is a former National Football League offensive tackle who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1985 to 1996. High school career Ruettgers attended Garces Memorial High School (Bakersfield, Calif ...

, USC (GNS) * Brian Jozwiak, West Virginia (AP-2) * Jim Juriga, Illinois (UPI-2) *

Daren Gilbert Daren K. Gilbert (October 3, 1963 – August 4, 2022) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for four seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the New Orleans Saints. After playing college football f ...

, Cal State Fullerton (NEA-2) * John Clay, Missouri (AP-3) *

Jeff Dellenbach Jeffrey Alan Dellenbach (born February 14, 1963) is a former American football center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a member of the Green ...

, Wisconsin (AP-3)

Guards

Dan Lynch Daniel Lynch (born June 21, 1962) is a former college and professional American football offensive guard; he attended Washington State University; he was inducted to their athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. Lynch went on to a career in the venture ca ...

, Washington State (AP-1, FWAA, GNS, NEA-1) *

Jim Lachey James Michael Lachey (born June 4, 1963) is a radio analyst for Ohio State football and a former American football offensive tackle who played for ten seasons in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Raiders, and W ...

, Ohio State (FWAA, UPI-1, GNS, NEA-2) *

Del Wilkes Delbert Alexander "Del" Wilkes, Jr. (December 21, 1961 – June 30, 2021) was an American professional wrestler and college football player, better known by his ring names, The Trooper and The Patriot. Over the course of his nine-year career, ...

, South Carolina (AFCA, AP-1, UPI-2, WC) * Bill Mayo, Tennessee (AP-3, FN-1, UPI-1, WC) * Lance Smith, LSU (AFCA, AP-2 T UPI-1 T NEA-2 T * Carlton Walker, Utah (AP-2, FWAA, NEA-1) * Andrew Campbell, SMU (NEA-2, TSN) * Harry Grimminger, Nebraska (AP-2, TSN) * Larry Williams, Notre Dame (AP-3, UPI-2)

Centers

Mark Traynowicz Mark Joseph Traynowicz (born November 20, 1962) is a former American football offensive lineman who played five seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Buffalo Bills and Phoenix Cardinals. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the ...

, Nebraska (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, GNS, NEA-1) *

Kevin Glover Kevin Glover (born June 17, 1963) is a former American football center for the Detroit Lions (1985-1997), and Seattle Seahawks (1998-1999). He attended the University of Maryland. He was a key blocker for Barry Sanders, allowing him to excel as o ...

, Maryland (GNS, TSN) * Trevor Matich, BYU (AP-3, GNS) * Brent Martin, Stanford (GNS) * Mike Kelley, Notre Dame (GNS) * Phil Bromley, Florida (AP-2) *

Kirk Lowdermilk Robert Kirk Lowdermilk (born April 10, 1963) is a former American football center who played twelve seasons (178 games) in the National Football League (NFL), with the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted by the Vikings in ...

, Ohio State (UPI-2) *

Gene Chilton Gene Alan Chilton (born March 27, 1964) is a former professional American football player from Houston, Texas. He played center for six seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was drafted in the 3rd round, 59th overall, Kansas City Chi ...

, Texas (NEA-2)

Quarterbacks

Doug Flutie Douglas Richard Flutie (born October 23, 1962) is an American former football quarterback whose professional career spanned 21 seasons. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), eight seasons in the Canadian Football League (CF ...

, Boston College (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, GNS, NEA-1, TSN) *

Bernie Kosar Bernard Joseph Kosar Jr. (born November 25, 1963) is a former American football quarterback who played collegiately at the University of Miami where he led the team to a national championship in 1983. He subsequently played professionally in ...

, Miami (AP-2, NEA-2) *

Robbie Bosco Robbie Bosco (born January 11, 1963) is a former American football quarterback who played college football at Brigham Young University (BYU). He is a native of Roseville, California. College career In 1984, Bosco took over as starting quarterb ...

, BYU (AP-3, UPI-2)

Running backs

Keith Byars Keith Alan Byars (born October 14, 1963) is an American sports broadcaster and former American football fullback in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets. Early life B ...

, Ohio State (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, GNS, NEA-1, TSN) * Kenneth Davis, TCU (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, GNS, NEA-1, TSN) * Rueben Mayes, Washington State (AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1) * Greg Allen, Florida State (AP-3, UPI-2, WC, NEA-2) * Johnnie Jones, Tennessee (AP-2) * Curtis Adams, Central Michigan (UPI-2) *

Ethan Horton Ethan Shane Horton (born December 19, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played one season as a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs (1985), and seven se ...

, North Carolina (AP-3, UPI-2) * Dalton Hilliard, LSU (NEA-2)

Defense

Defensive ends

Ron Holmes Ronald Holmes (August 26, 1963 – October 27, 2011) was a professional American football defensive end who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Denver Broncos. A standout defensive end at ...

, Washington (AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1 T WC, NEA-1) *

Bruce Smith Bruce Bernard Smith (born June 18, 1963) is an American former football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 19 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Virginia Tech, where he was ...

, Virginia Tech (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-2 T WC, GNS, NEA-1) * Tim Green, Syracuse (AP-3 T GNS, TSN) *

Leslie O'Neal Leslie Claudis O'Neal (born May 7, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and outside linebacker for 13 years in the National Football League (NFL). He spent the majority of his career with the San Diego ...

, Oklahoma State (AP-1, UPI-2 T GNS, NEA-2 T TSN) *

Freddie Joe Nunn Freddie Joe Nunn (April 9, 1962 October 16, 2021) was an American former professional football player who was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1st round (18th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft. He started his career as a defensive end an ...

, Mississippi (Ole Miss) (UPI-1) * Mike Gann, Notre Dame (UPI-2) *

Garin Veris Garin Lee Veris (born February 27, 1963 in Chillicothe, Ohio) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League, mainly for the New England Patriots. Veris graduated from Chillicothe High School, where he starred in f ...

, Stanford (UPI-2)

Defensive tackles

* Tony Casillas, Oklahoma (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1 G FWAA, UPI-2 G GNS, NEA-1, TSN) *

Tony Degrate Anthony Degrate (born April 25, 1962) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for a single season in 1985. He played college football for the University of Texa ...

, Texas (AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, NEA-2) * Ray Childress, Texas A&M (AP-3, UPI-1 E TSN)

Middle guards

William Perry William Perry may refer to: Business * William Perry (Queensland businessman) (1835–1891), businessman and politician in Queensland, Australia * William H. Perry (businessman) (1832–1906), American businessman and entrepreneur Politics an ...

, Clemson (AP-3, UPI-1, WC, GNS NEA-2) * Tim Newton, Florida (AP-2)

Linebackers

* Jack Del Rio, USC (AFCA L AP-1, FWAA, WC, NEA-1) *

Larry Station Larry W. Station Jr. (born December 5, 1963) is a former American football player. He played college football at the University of Iowa as a linebacker. He is Iowa's leader in career tackles and was twice named as a consensus first-team All-Am ...

, Iowa (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, UPI-1, WC, NEA-2) *

Gregg Carr Gregg Kevin Carr, M.D. (born March 31, 1962) is currently an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Alabama and a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL), where he played four seasons for the Pittsbu ...

, Auburn (AFCA, AP-1, UPI-1, WC, NEA-2) * Duane Bickett, USC (AP-3, FWAA, UPI-1, NEA-1, TSN) * James Seawright, South Carolina (AP-1, FWAA, UPI-2, NEA-1) * Cornelius Bennett, Alabama (CFHOF) (GNS, TSN) * Alonzo Johnson, Florida (AP-3, UPI-2, TSN) * Marc Munford, Nebraska (GNS) * Eric Wilson, Maryland (AP-2, NEA-1) *

Brian Bosworth Brian Keith Bosworth (born March 9, 1965), nicknamed "The Boz," is an American former football linebacker and actor who played in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. A two-time Dick Butkus Award winne ...

, Oklahoma (CFHOF) (AP-2) * Knox Culpepper, Georgia (AP-2) *

Willie Pless Willy or Willie is a masculine, male given name, often a diminutive form of William or Wilhelm, and occasionally a nickname. It may refer to: People Given name or nickname * Willie Aames (born 1960), American actor, television director, and scre ...

, Kansas (AP-2) *

Tim Meamber Tim Meamber (born October 29, 1962) is a former professional American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Washington and was a member of the 11-1 ...

, Washington (AP-3, UPI-2, NEA-2) * Fred Smalls, West Virginia (NEA-2) *

John Offerdahl John Arnold Offerdahl (born August 17, 1964) is a restaurateur and former professional American football player. An inside linebacker, he played college football at Western Michigan University, before being selected by the Miami Dolphins in 52nd ...

, Western Michigan (AP-3)

Defensive backs

* Jerry Gray, Texas (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, GNS, NEA-1, TSN) *

Tony Thurman Tony Thurman (born March 15, 1962) is a former American football defensive back who played college football at Boston College Boston College (BC) is a private Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Founded in 1863, the ...

, Boston College (AFCA, AP-1, UPI-1, WC, GNS) * David Fulcher, Arizona State (AP-1, FWAA, GNS, NEA-1, TSN) * Jeff Sanchez, Georgia (AFCA, AP-2, UPI-1, WC) * Rod Brown, Oklahoma State (AFCA, AP-2, UPI-2, WC) * Richard Johnson, Wisconsin (FWAA, NEA-1, TSN) *

Bret Clark Bret Clark (born February 24, 1961) is a former professional American football player. Clark played for the in-state Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, for whom he was an All-American defensive back during his senior year of 1984. After college, ...

, Nebraska (AP-2, FWAA, UPI-2, NEA-2, TSN) * Kyle Morrell, BYU (AP-1, NEA-2) *

Lester Lyles General Lester L. Lyles (born April 20, 1946) is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air ...

, Virginia (AP-3, GNS) *

Issiac Holt Issiac Holt III (born October 4, 1962) is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Alcorn State University. With the Cowboys, he ...

, Alcorn State (NEA-1) * Anthony Young, Temple (AP-2) * Sean Thomas, TCU (UPI-2) * Don Anderson, Purdue (NEA-2) * John Hendy, Long Beach State (NEA-2) * Jim Bowman, Central Michigan (AP-3) * Paul Calhoun, Kentucky (AP-3) * Nate Harris, Tulsa (AP-3)

Special teams

Kickers

Kevin Butler Kevin Butler may refer to: * Kevin Butler (American football) (born 1962), American football placekicker * Kevin Butler (character) Kevin Butler (portrayed by Jerry Lambert) was a marketing character used by Sony Computer Entertainment America a ...

, Georgia (AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, NEA-1) * John Lee, UCLA (AP-1, UPI-2, GNS, NEA-2, TSN) * Donald Igwebuike, Clemson (AP-3)

Punters

* Ricky Anderson, Vanderbilt (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, NEA-1) *

Randall Cunningham Randall Wade Cunningham Sr. (born March 27, 1963) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He spent the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles and is also known ...

, UNLV (AP-2, UPI-2, TSN) * Dale Hatcher, Clemson (GNS) * Tom Tupa, Ohio State (AP-3, NEA-2)

Returners

* Willie Drewrey, West Virginia (TSN)

Key

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

College Football Hall of Fame The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and interactive attraction devoted to college football. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the players and coaches of college football that were vo ...

inductee

Official selectors

* AFCA –

(AFCA), selected by the members of the AFCA for the Kodak All-America team * AP –

* FWAA –

* UPI –

* WC –

Other selectors

* FN – ''Football News'' * GNS – Gannett News Service * NEA –

* TSN – ''

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