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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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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 03: Manti Te’o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish calls signals against the University of South Florida Bulls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 3, 2011 in South Bend, Indiana. South Florida defeated Notre Dame 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 03: Manti Te’o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish calls signals against the University of South Florida Bulls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 3, 2011 in South Bend, Indiana. South Florida defeated Notre Dame 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Fourth-Team Defense

Jack Youngblood, Florida Gators, Defensive End

A first-team All-American in 1970, Youngblood was voted the SEC lineman of the year as well. He played a significant role during the 1969 season, however, when the Gators went 9-1-1 and won the Gator Bowl versus Tennessee.

Warren Sapp, Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Defensive Tackle

Another Hurricane consensus All-American, Sapp also enjoyed the 1994 Big East Defensive Player of the Year award, the Nagurski Award and the Lombardi Award. His teams were always successful but failed to win a single bowl game.

Bubba Smith, Michigan State Spartans, Defensive Tackle

A two-time consensus All-American for the Spartans, Smith helped propel Michigan State to a 10-win campaign followed by an undefeated 9-win season. He went on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft.

Steve Emtman, Washington Huskies, Defensive End

Emtman was an anchor for the Huskies’ defense in 1991 and ’92 when they surrendered just 15.3 and 9.6 points per game. He collected two Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors on the way, as well as an Outland Trophy and a Lombardi Trophy; Emtman was a consensus All-American in 1991.

Chris Spielman, Ohio State Buckeyes, Outside Linebacker

A two-time consensus All-American for the Buckeyes, Spielman excelled in pass coverage, intercepting 11 career passes in three seasons. He took part in two bowl wins, the 1985 Citrus Bowl and the Cotton Bowl the following year.

Manti Te’o, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Middle Linebacker

Although he finished second in the 2012 Heisman Trophy race, Te’o won seemingly every other award, including the Nagurski Award, the Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award, the Maxwell Award, the Ronnie Lott Trophy, the Lombardi Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award; he was also a consensus All-American for the national runners-up.

C.J. Mosley, Alabama Crimson Tide, Outside Linebacker

In addition to being a two-time consensus All-American, Mosley won back-to-back BCS National Championships with the Crimson Tide. He racked up consecutive 100-yard tackle seasons on his way to a Butkus Award and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

Jerry Gray, Texas Longhorns, Cornerback

Gray was a two-time consensus All-American during the 1983 and ’84 seasons, hauling in 11 interceptions while the Longhorns posted an 18-5-1 record. He added three interceptions during his first two seasons, as well, for a total of 14 as a Longhorn.

Troy Polamalu, USC Trojans, Safety

Born to be a Trojan, Polamalu earned his place in USC history by making timely plays when they need them most. He was a consensus All-American in 2002 and scored three career touchdowns on six interceptions.

Eric Berry, Tennessee Volunteers, Safety

A two-time consensus All-American, Berry was an immediate stud for Tennessee. As a freshman, he recorded 86 tackles and five interceptions. The following year, he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for his nation-leading seven interceptions; he also took home the Jim Thorpe Award.

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU Tigers, Cornerback

Mathieu, better known as the “Honeybadger,” wreaked havoc on opposing offenses as a member of the Tigers. He intercepted four passes, forced 11 fumbles, tallied six sacks and scored four total touchdowns (two fumble recoveries and two punt returns). He was named the Bednarik Award winner and a consensus All-American.

Next. 50 greatest college football teams of all time. dark