College Football All-America Team

Annual award to the best players in collegiate American football

College Football All-America TeamAwarded for| The best college football players in the United States at their respective positions

|

Country| United States
Presented by| NCAA
History
First award| 1889
Most recent| 2024

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 All-America Team selected by Caspar Whitney and published in This Week's Sports.[1] Football pioneer Walter Camp also began selecting All-America teams in the 1890s and was recognized as the official selector in the early years of the 20th century.

## NCAA recognition

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For the most recent All-America selections, see 2024 College Football All-America Team.

As of 2024, the College Football All-America Team is composed of the following College Football All-American first teams chosen by the following selector organizations: Associated Press (AP), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Walter Camp Foundation (WCFF), Sporting News (TSN, from its historic name of The Sporting News), Sports Illustrated (SI), The Athletic (Athletic), USA Today (USAT), ESPN, CBS Sports (CBS), College Football News (CFN), Scout.com, Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, and Fox Sports (FOX).

### Consensus

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Starting in 2009, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recognizes the All-America teams selected by the AP, AFCA, FWAA, Sporting News, and the WCFF to determine consensus All-Americans. If more than half of the organizations select a player to their first team, he receives the "consensus" honor. If no player qualifies under that criterion, a player named to two first teams can be chosen. Second- and third-team selections can be used as tie-breakers. If still tied, each player is listed.[2] If a player is named an All-American by all five organizations, he receives "unanimous All-American" recognition.[3] Depending upon the distribution of first team honors at any given position, it is possible to be consensus with fewer than three first-team selections. As of 2024, the University of Alabama had produced the most unanimous All-Americans of any program with 41.

### Individual

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There have been 2,868 players from 156 colleges and universities since 1889 who were selected to at least one All-American first team. Five players have earned that honor four times:[4] They are:

* Charles Dudley Daly, Quarterback, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901 at Harvard and Army
* Gordon Brown, Guard, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 at Yale
* Truxtun Hare, Guard, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 at Penn
* Frank Hinkey, End, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894 at Yale
* Marshall Newell, Tackle, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893 at Harvard

## Selectors

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### Associated Press

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The Associated Press has a panel of sportswriters who vote to determine the AP All-America Team. It has selected an All-America team since 1925.

### AFCA

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A football signed by the 1974 Kodak All-America Team

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) has selected an All-America team every year since 1945. It is often referred to as the "Coaches' All-America Team". The Selection Process is an All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA's nine I-A (Bowl Division) districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts; that information, along with ballots submitted by FBS head coaches, are used to select the AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America Team.snake

The Coaches' All-America Team has been sponsored by various entities throughout the years but it is now under its own banner, the AFCA. These are the sponsors/publishers of the team throughout the years.

1945–1947: Published in Saturday Evening Post
1948–1956: Published in Collier's
1957–1959: General Mills
1960–1993: Eastman Kodak
1994: Schooner's International
1995–1996: AFCA
1997–1999: Burger King
2000–present: AFCA

### FWAA

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The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Team, the second longest continuously published team in college football, has been a staple of the college football scene since 1944. It is sometimes referred to as the "Writers' All-America Team". The FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee which represents all the regions in the country. Some who have helped to select this team over the years: Mark Blaudschun, Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman. The All-America team is selected by a committee of writers representing all conferences and regions of the NCAA.

The Writers' Team has been highlighted in various media forums. From 1946 to 1970, Look published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by Bob Hope, Steve Allen, Perry Como and others. After Look folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television show and sold it to sponsors. The team was part of ABC Television's 1981 College Football Series. From 1983 to 1990, the team was either on ABC or ESPN, and since 1991 has returned to the national spotlight on ABC. The corporate sponsor for the Writers' team is AT&T, after several years of Cingular being the sponsor.

### WCFF

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The Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF) All-America team is selected by the head coaches and sports information directors of the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision schools and certified by UHY Advisors, a New Haven-based accounting firm. Walter Camp, "The Father of American Football", first selected an All-America team in 1889. The WCF claims an 80% participation rate in the voting for its All-America team.[5]

### Sporting News

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Sporting News, formerly known as The Sporting News and known colloquially as TSN, have teams college football editors and staff select teams, which they have been doing since 1934.[6] From that year through the 1962 season TSN's All-America team was picked by a poll of sportswriters. Beginning in 1964 the team was selected by "professional scouts and observers".[7] The Sporting News cited the advent of two-platoon football as the need to go to that system.

### UPI

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United Press International (UPI) selected players in a national poll of sportswriters and began selecting teams in 1925 as "United Press". In 1958, after it merged with the International News Service (INS), it became United Press International. The INS had chosen teams since 1913. UPI continued to choose an All-America team, based on a poll of sportswriters, through the 1996 season.

### Central Press

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The Central Press Association, a newspaper syndicate based in Cleveland, polled team school captains for its "Captain's All-America Team"

### Newspaper Enterprise Association

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Further information: Newspaper Enterprise Association § College football awards

Another media group who polled writers and players to compose its team. It ran from 1924 through 1996.

### Others

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ABC Sports, ESPN, CNN Sports Illustrated, College Football News, CBSSports.com, PFF, Time magazine, Bleacher Report and many others also select All-America teams.

Time magazine selected All-America teams from 1956 through 1976. ESPN's selections are made by veteran college football writer Ivan Maisel. Maisel's began selecting an All-America team for ESPN.com in 2002. CBS Sports.com is voted on by writers, producers and staff of CBS Sports. Two of the newest, seemingly driven by the internet, are Scout.com and Rivals.com.

During the 1930s, Chester L. Washington, sports editor of the Pittsburgh Courier, selected All-America teams of players at historically black colleges and universities (HBCU).[8][9][10]

## Division III

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In 1999, D3football.com began selecting an All-America team for Division III.[11]

## References

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1. ^ The All-America Team for 1889 selected by Casper Whitney is identified in the NCAA guide to football award winners Archived July 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ "Football Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA. 2018. p. 5. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
3. ^ "Crabtree Grabs FWAA All-America Honor". Archived from the original on 2007-12-14.
4. ^ NCAA Football Media Guide, 2008, pp. 161, 171
5. ^ "2008 Walter Camp All-American Team Announced". Archived from the original on 2008-12-14.
6. ^ "Sporting News Archives". Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
7. ^ The Sporting News, December 18, 1976, pg. 22.
8. ^ Washington, Chester L. (December 29, 1934). "The All-American Eleven!". Pittsburgh Courier. p. 2-5. Retrieved August 20, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
9. ^ Washington, Chester L. (December 28, 1935). "'Bama State, Kentucky Get 2 Places on 11". Pittsburgh Courier. p. 2-5. Retrieved August 20, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
10. ^ Washington, Chester L. (January 2, 1937). "Here Are Ches Washington's Courier All-Americans For The Year 1936". Pittsburgh Courier. p. 2-5. Retrieved August 20, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
11. ^ D3football.com All-Americans Archived 2011-01-08 at the Wayback Machine. D3football.com. Retrieved 2010-12-31.

## External links

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* Football Writers Association of America All-American Team
* Walter Camp Foundation All-American Teams

* v
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* e

College Football All-America Teams

* 1889
* 1890
* 1891
* 1892
* 1893
* 1894
* 1895
* 1896
* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* v
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* e

College football awards

College Football Hall of Fame

Player of the year|

* Heisman Trophy (winners) (1936)
* Maxwell Award (1937)
* The Sporting News Player of the Year (1942)
* Walter Camp Award (1967)
* AP Player of the Year (1998)

Positional awards|

* Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Defensive player)
* Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive player)
* Lott Trophy (Defensive player)
* Outland Trophy (Interior lineman)
* Manning Award (Quarterback)
* Davey O'Brien Award (Quarterback)
* Doak Walker Award (Running back)
* Fred Biletnikoff Award (Receiver)
* John Mackey Award (Tight end)
* Joe Moore Award (Offensive line)
* Rimington Trophy (Center)
* Ted Hendricks Award (Defensive end)
* Butkus Award (Linebacker)
* Jim Thorpe Award (Defensive back)
* Lou Groza Award (Placekicker)
* Ray Guy Award (Punter)
* Patrick Mannelly Award (Long snapper)
* Jet Award (Return specialist)
* Peter Mortell (Holder)

Other national awards|

* Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Senior quarterback)
* Paul Hornung Award (Most versatile)
* Lombardi Award (Best performance)
* Jacobs Blocking Trophy (Best blocker)
* Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award (Best of Polynesian descent)
* Deacon Jones Trophy (HBCU's most outstanding player)

All-Americans|

* College Football All-America Team (unanimous selections)
* Little All-America team

Head coaching awards|

* AFCA Coach of the Year Award (1935)
* Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award (1957)
* Sporting News Coach of the Year (1963)
* Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award (1967)
* Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (1976)
* Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (1986)
* George Munger Award (1989)
* Home Depot Coach of the Year (1994)
* AP Coach of the Year (1998)
* Bobby Bowden Coach of the Year Award (2009)
* Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award (2006)
* Woody Hayes Trophy (1977)

Assistant coaching awards|

* Broyles Award (Assistant Coach of the Year)
* AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year

Conference awards|

* ACC awards
* American awards
* Big 12 awards
* Big East awards
* Big Ten awards (MVP)
* CUSA awards
* MAC awards
* MW awards
* Pac-12 awards
* SEC awards
* Sun Belt awards
* SWC awards

FCS awards|

* Walter Payton Award (offensive player)
* Buck Buchanan Award (defensive player)
* Jerry Rice Award (freshman)
* Eddie Robinson Award (coach)
* STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year
* STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year
* STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Year
* STATS FCS Coach of the Year

Other divisions / associations|

* Harlon Hill Trophy (Div. II)
* Gagliardi Trophy (Div. III)
* Rawlings Award (NAIA)
* Hec Crighton Trophy (U Sports)

Academic, inspirational,
and versatility awards|

* Academic All-America of the Year (Student-athlete)
* Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award
* William V. Campbell Trophy (Student-athlete)
* Wuerffel Trophy (Humanitarian-athlete)
* Senior CLASS Award (Div. I FBS student-athlete)
* Burlsworth Trophy (Walk-on)
* Rudy Award (inspirational/motivational)

Service awards|

* Amos Alonzo Stagg Award
* Walter Camp Alumni of the Year
* Walter Camp Man of the Year
* National Football Foundation Distinguished American Award
* National Football Foundation Gold Medal Winners
* Theodore Roosevelt Award

Regional awards|

* Conerly Trophy (Mississippi)
* Jon Cornish Trophy (Canada)
* Dudley Award (Virginia)
* Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award (Texas;)
* Kent Hull Trophy (Mississippi)
* Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award (New England)

Awards organizations|

* Maxwell Football Club
* National Football Foundation
* Touchdown Club of Columbus
* Walter Camp Football Foundation
* DC Touchdown Club

Defunct awards|

* Champ Pickens Cup (Southern Conference champion; 1923–1926)
* Norris Cup (Best player in North Carolina; 1924–1930)
* Porter Cup (Best player at southern universities; 1918–1932)
* UPI Player of the Year (Best player; 1950–1991)
* Joseph V. Paterno Award (Best coach; 2010)
* Melberger Award (Div. III MVP; 1993–2011)
* Chic Harley Award (Best player; 1955–2018))
* Archie Griffin Award (Most valuable; 1999–2018)

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