Stars of Yesterday: All-Time FSU Football Team
By Jim Joanos
Selecting an all-time all-star team is fraught with peril and a very subjective endeavor. It is by necessity a matter of trying to "compare apples to oranges." The various players played at different times and under vastly different circumstances. Furthermore, it is impossible to keep your own preferences and prejudices from getting in the way of your attempt to be objective. Nevertheless, it is a fun thing to do. With the 2012 football season rapidly approaching, it seemed like a good time to set out my "all-time super Florida State University football team." Feel free to agree or disagree as you wish. As you can see, the team I selected has a few more players on each side of the ball than can play at one time. I simply could not bring myself to reduce the list any further than this and exclude any of the ones I have listed.
Defense
Linebacker: Paul McGowan, 1984-87. Won the Butkus Award in 1987, as the best linebacker in the nation.
Linebacker: Marvin Jones, 1990-92. Consensus All-American in 1991 & 92. In 1992, he won not only the Butkus Award but also the Lombardi Award as the nation's best lineman.
Linebacker: Derrick Brooks, 1991-94. Consensus All-American in 1993 & 94.
Linebacker: Sam Cowart, 1993-97. Consensus All-American in 1997.
Lineman: Andre Wadsworth, 1994-97. Consensus All-American in 1997 and Lombardi Runner-up.
Lineman: Jamal Reynolds, 1997-2000. Consensus All-American and Lombardi Award Winner in 2000.
Lineman: Peter Boulware, 1994-96. Consensus All-American in 1996.
Lineman: Reinard Wilson, 1993-96. Consensus All-American in 1996.
Lineman: Corey Simon, 1996-99. Consensus All-American and Lombardi Runner-up in 1999.
Nose guard: Ron Simmons, 1977-80. Consensus All-American in 1979 & 80. Admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
Back: Deion Sanders, 1985-88. Consensus All-American in 1987 & 88. Jim Thorpe Award winner in 1988 as the nation's best defensive back. Admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Back: Terrell Buckley, 1989-91. Consensus All-American and Jim Thorpe winner in 1991.
Back: Bobby Butler, 1977-80. All-American in 1979 & 80.
Back: Leroy Butler, 1987-89. Consensus All-American in 1989.
Back: Clifton Abraham, 1991-94. Consensus All-American in 1994.
Offense
Receiver: Fred Biletnikoff, 1962-64. Consensus All-American in 1964. Admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
Receiver: Ron Sellers, 1966-68. Consensus All-American in 1967. Admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
Receiver: Peter Warrick, 1996-99. Consensus All-American in 1998 & 99.
Center: Clay Shiver, 1992-95. Consensus All-American in 1994.
Lineman: Jamie Dukes, 1982-85. Consensus All-American in 1985.
Lineman: Jason Whitaker, 1996-99. Consensus All-American in 1999.
Lineman: Alex Barron, 2002-04. Consensus All-American in 2003 & 2004.
Lineman: Rodney Hudson, 2007-10. Consensus All-American in 2010.
Lineman: Ken Lanier, 1977-80. All-American in 1979 & 80.
Tight End: Pat Carter, 1984-87. All-American in 1986 & 87.
Quarterback: Charlie Ward, 1989,91-93. Consensus All-American and Heisman Trophy winner in 1993 as the best player in college football that year. Admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Quarterback: Chris Weinke, 1997-2000. 2000 All-American and Heisman Trophy winner.
Back: Greg Allen, 1981-84. Consensus All-American in 1983.
Back: Larry Key, 1974-77. All-American in 1977.
Back: Warrick Dunn, 1993-96. All-American in 1994, 95 & 96.
Special Teams
Punter: Rohn Stark, 1978-81. Consensus All-American in 1980 & 81.
Placekicker: Sebastian Janikowski, 1997-99. Consensus All-American and Lou Groza Award Winner as the nation's best place kicker in 1998 & 99.
Placekicker: Graham Gano, 2005-08. All-American and Lou Groza Winner in 2008.
Honorable Mention
LB Paul Piurowski, 1977-80; NG Jack Shinholser, 1963-65; DL Alphonso Carreker, 1980-83; DL Derrick Alexander, 1992-94; DL Willie Jones, 1975-78; DB Corey Sawyer, 1992-93; DB Tay Cody, 1997-00; DB J.T. Thomas, 1970-72; DB Walt Sumner, 1966-68; WR Marvin "Snoop" Minnis, 1997-00; WR Barry Smith, 1970-72; OL Walter Jones, 1996; OL Del Williams, 1964-66; OL Hugh Adams, 1948-49; OL Gene McDowell, 1960-62; OL Bill Rhodes, 1966-68; TE Zeke Mowatt, 1980-82; QB Casey Weldon, 1988-91; RB Sammie Smith, 1985-88; RB Edgar Bennett, 1987-91; RB Fred Pickard, 1957-59; P Shawn Powell, 2008-11; P Tommy Brown, 1950-52.
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