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College football: 150th anniversary all-time team – Legends never die

By Phil Poling

TALLAHASSEE, FL - CIRCA 1988: Defensive back Deion Sanders #2 of the Florida State Seminoles winner of the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award, poses with the trophy circa 1988 at Doak Campbell Stadium at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - CIRCA 1988: Defensive back Deion Sanders #2 of the Florida State Seminoles winner of the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award, poses with the trophy circa 1988 at Doak Campbell Stadium at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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1985: Defensive lineman Brian Bosworth of the Oklahoma Sooners stands on the sidelines during a game in Norman, Oklahoma.+Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport
1985: Defensive lineman Brian Bosworth of the Oklahoma Sooners stands on the sidelines during a game in Norman, Oklahoma.+Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport /

Third-Team Defense

Hugh Green, Pittsburgh Panthers, Defensive End

A three-time consensus All-American for Pitt from 1978 through 1980, Green capped off his Panther career by winning the Maxwell Award, the Vince Lombardi Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. He also finished second in the Heisman voting his final season.

Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma Sooners, Defensive Tackle

As a consensus All-American for the Sooners in 1975, Selmon took home the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award for his efforts. Selmon anchored back-to-back national championship defenses in 1974 and 1975.

Randy White, Maryland Terrapins, Defensive Tackle

Recruited as a fullback, White blossomed upon moving to the defensive line and by his senior season was a consensus All-American. He also won the Outland Trophy, the Lombardi Award and was named the ACC Player of the Year in 1974.

Dwight Freeney, Syracuse Orangemen, Defensive End

Freeney ranks second all-time in Syracuse history with 34 career sacks, 17.5 of which came during his senior campaign – that is a school record. He was named a consensus All-American and was named the 2001 Big East Player of the Year.

Jack Ham, Penn State Nittany Lions, Outside Linebacker

Ham was a three-year starter for a Nittany Lions group that posted back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1968 and ’69. He earned consensus All-American status as a senior before going on to win four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma Sooners, Middle Linebacker

College football’s original diva, Brian Bosworth, was also an impeccable football player. He was twice named a consensus All-American and won back-to-back Dick Butkus Awards, the only player to ever win the award twice.

Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina Tar Heels, Outside Linebacker

Taylor won the 1980 ACC Player of the Year award in addition to being named a consensus All-American for the Tar Heels; he tallied 16 sacks during his senior season.

Dre Bly, North Carolina Tar Heels, Cornerback

Bly hauled in11 interceptions in 1996, his first of two seasons being named a consensus All-American, to lead the Tar Heels and college football in interceptions. His 20 career interceptions were an ACC record when Bly left for the NFL.

Roy Williams, Oklahoma Sooners, Safety

Williams anchored the undefeated 2000 Sooners’ defense and set the record for tackles-for-loss for a defensive back. The following season he won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Jim Thorpe Award and was named a consensus All-American.

Sean Taylor, Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Safety

One of the most dangerous defensive players ever with the ball in his hands, Taylor led the country with 10 interceptions in 2003, three of which he returned for touchdowns. This play earned him the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award and consensus All-American status.

Rod Woodson, Purdue Boilermakers, Cornerback

Woodson was a consensus All-American in 1986 for his efforts at cornerback, punt and kick return and spot-duty on offense. He intercepted 11 career passes and was a three-time All-Big Ten first-team selection.