1947 College Football All-America Team
Encyclopedia
The 1947 College Football All-America team was composed of college football players selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers. The organizations choosing the teams included: the United Press, the Associated Press
, Collier's Weekly
, the International News Service
(the wire service operated by the Hearst newspapers), and the Football Writers Association of America
. The individuals selected to the most All-American teams were Notre Dame quarterback (and Heisman Trophy winner) Johnny Lujack
and Michigan halfback Bob Chappuis
.
voting.
Bold = Consensus All-American
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, Collier's Weekly
Collier's Weekly
Collier's Weekly was an American magazine founded by Peter Fenelon Collier and published from 1888 to 1957. With the passage of decades, the title was shortened to Collier's....
, the International News Service
International News Service
International News Service was a U.S.-based news agency founded by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in 1909.Established two years after the Scripps family founded the United Press Association, INS scrapped among the newswires...
(the wire service operated by the Hearst newspapers), and the Football Writers Association of America
Football Writers Association of America
The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
. The individuals selected to the most All-American teams were Notre Dame quarterback (and Heisman Trophy winner) Johnny Lujack
Johnny Lujack
John Christopher Lujack Jr. is a former American football quarterback and 1947 Heisman Trophy winner.Lujack was born on January 4, 1925, in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. He played college football for the University of Notre Dame, and professionally for the Chicago Bears. Lujack was the first of...
and Michigan halfback Bob Chappuis
Bob Chappuis
Robert Richard "Bob" Chappuis is a former American football player who played halfback and quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1942, 1946, and 1947. His college years were interrupted by service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II...
.
Consensus All-Americans
The chart below reflects the published point total from the UP poll (2,211 points possible), and also reflects the number of polls in which the leading candidates were selected as a first-team All-American, and their point total in the 1947 Heisman TrophyHeisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
voting.
| Name | Class | Position | School | UPI votes | First-team selections | Heisman points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Lujack Johnny Lujack John Christopher Lujack Jr. is a former American football quarterback and 1947 Heisman Trophy winner.Lujack was born on January 4, 1925, in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. He played college football for the University of Notre Dame, and professionally for the Chicago Bears. Lujack was the first of... |
Sr. | Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
N.Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... |
2,086 | 9 | 742 |
| Bob Chappuis Bob Chappuis Robert Richard "Bob" Chappuis is a former American football player who played halfback and quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1942, 1946, and 1947. His college years were interrupted by service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II... |
Sr. | Back Halfback (American football) A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive... |
Mich. Michigan Wolverines football The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history... |
1,838 | 9 | 555 |
| Joe Steffy Joe Steffy Joseph Benton "Joe" Steffy, Jr. was an American football player. He went to fight in the Korean War and received the Bronze Medal and the Purple Heart. Steffy was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.-Early life:... |
Guard Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.... |
Army Army Black Knights football The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946.... |
1,465 | 8 | ||
| Doak Walker Doak Walker Ewell Doak Walker, Jr. was an American football player who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a teammate of Bobby Layne in high school and the NFL.-Early life:... |
So. | Back | SMU SMU Mustangs football The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA... |
1,367 | 7 | 196 |
| Bill Swiacki Bill Swiacki William Adam Swiacki was an American football end in the National Football League. He played five seasons for the New York Giants and the Detroit Lions... |
Sr. | End | Columbia | 1,041 | 7 | 61 |
| Bob Davis | Sr. | Tackle Tackle (American football) Tackle is a playing position in American and Canadian football. Historically, in the one-platoon system a tackle played on both offense and defense. In the modern system of specialized units, offensive tackle and defensive tackle are separate positions.... |
Ga.Tech. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
739 | 7 | |
| Paul Cleary | Sr. | End | S.Cal. | 899 | 6 | |
| Bill Fischer | Jr. | Guard Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.... |
N.Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... |
909 | 6 | |
| Chuck Bednarik Chuck Bednarik Charles Philip Bednarik is a former professional American football player, known as one of the most devastating tacklers in the history of football and the last two-way player in the National Football League... |
Jr. | Center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... |
Penn | 899 | 5 | 65 |
| George Connor George Connor (American football) George Leo Connor was an American football offensive tackle/linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1948 to 1955. He was originally a number one draft pick by the New York Giants in 1946. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and of the College Football Hall of Fame. He attended the... |
Tackle Tackle (American football) Tackle is a playing position in American and Canadian football. Historically, in the one-platoon system a tackle played on both offense and defense. In the modern system of specialized units, offensive tackle and defensive tackle are separate positions.... |
N.Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish football Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... |
1,831 | 4 | ||
| Bobby Layne Bobby Layne Robert Lawrence "Bobby" Layne was an American football quarterback who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1948, the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the Detroit Lions from 1950–1958, and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958–1962... |
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
Texas Texas Longhorns football The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National... |
1,200 | 3 | 75 | |
Key
- AP = Associated PressAssociated PressThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
- UP = United Press
- PO = Saturday Evening Post, selected by the American Football Coaches AssociationAmerican Football Coaches AssociationThe American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
- CO = Collier's WeeklyCollier's WeeklyCollier's Weekly was an American magazine founded by Peter Fenelon Collier and published from 1888 to 1957. With the passage of decades, the title was shortened to Collier's....
, selected by Grantland RiceGrantland RiceGrantland Rice was an early 20th century American sportswriter known for his elegant prose. His writing was published in newspapers around the country and broadcast on the radio.-Biography:... - NEA = NEA Sports Syndicate, based on a consensus of coaches, scouts, officials, opposing players, and "others qualified to judge players and accurately weigh their value."
- INS = INS (Hearst) newspaper syndicate
- CP = Central Press AssociationCentral Press AssociationThe Central Press Association was an American newspaper syndication company based in Cleveland, Ohio. It was in business from 1910 to 1971. At its peak, the Central Press supplied features, columns, and photographs to more than 400 newspapers and 12 million daily readers.-History:Virgil Venice...
, selected with the assistance of the nation's football captains. - WC = Walter Camp Football FoundationWalter Camp Football FoundationThe Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also presents various awards.-Awards:*Walter Camp Player of the Year*CT Player of the Year...
- FW=Football Writers Association of America.
Bold = Consensus All-American
- 1 - First Team Selection
- 2 - Second Team Selection
- 3 - Third Team Selection
Ends
- Paul Cleary, Southern California (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1; UP-2; CO-1; NEA-1; CP-1; INS-1; FW-1)
- Bill SwiackiBill SwiackiWilliam Adam Swiacki was an American football end in the National Football League. He played five seasons for the New York Giants and the Detroit Lions...
, Columbia (AP-1; UP-1; PO-1; CO-1; NEA-1; CP-2; INS-1; WC-1) - Barney PooleBarney PooleGeorge Barney Poole was an American football end in the National Football League for the New York Yanks, the Dallas Texans, the Baltimore Colts, and the New York Giants. Poole also played football in the All-America Football Conference for the New York Yankees...
, Mississippi (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3; UP-1; PO-1; NEA-2; CP-1; INS-3; WC-1; FW-2) - Leon HartLeon HartLeon Joseph Hart was an American football tight end and defensive end. He was raised in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh....
, Notre Dame (FW-1) - Bob MannBob Mann (American football)Robert "Bob" Mann was an American football end. A native of New Bern, North Carolina, Mann played college football at Hampton Institute in 1942 and 1943 and at the University of Michigan in 1944, 1946 and 1947. He broke the Big Ten Conference record for receiving yardage in 1946 and again in 1947...
, Michigan (AP-2; UP-3; NEA-3; CP-3) - Ike Owens, Illinois (AP-2; NEA-2; CP-3; INS-2; FW-3)
- Len FordLen FordLeonard Guy Ford, Jr. was an American football defensive end. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.He played two years for the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference...
, Michigan (Pro Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3; UP-2; CP-2) - Tom FearsTom FearsThomas Jesse Fears was a Mexican-American football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League, playing nine seasons from 1948 to 1956.-Early life:...
, UCLA (College and Pro Football Hall of Fame) (UP-3; NEA-3; INS-2; FW-2) - Banard Hafen, Utah (INS-3)
- Max BumgardnerMax BumgardnerMax Bumgardner is a former NFL defensive back. After earning his B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Texas in 1948, he was drafted to play professionally by the Chicago Bears, but was sent to the Detroit Lions. He played for just one year.-External Links: at NFL.com...
, Texas (FW-3)
Tackles
- Bob Davis, Georgia Tech (AP-1; UP-2; PO-1; CO-1; NEA-1; CP-1; INS-1; FW-1)
- George ConnorGeorge Connor (American football)George Leo Connor was an American football offensive tackle/linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1948 to 1955. He was originally a number one draft pick by the New York Giants in 1946. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and of the College Football Hall of Fame. He attended the...
, Notre Dame (College and Pro Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3; UP-1; PO-1; CO-1; NEA-2; CP-2; INS-3; WC-1) - John FerraroJohn FerraroJohn Ferraro was the longest-serving Los Angeles City Council member in the history of the city—thirty-five years, from 1966 until his death in 2001—and the president of the council for fourteen of them...
, Southern California (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3; UP-1; NEA-2; CP-1; INS-2; WC-1; FW-2) - Richard HarrisRichard Harris (American football)Richard Drew Harris was an American football defensive end who played seven seasons in the National Football League. He was and All-American in 1970 for Grambling and was drafted in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was named All-Rookie in 1971, playing...
, Texas (AP-1; CP-3; INS-3; FW-3) - Zygmont CzarobskiZygmont CzarobskiZygmont "Ziggy" Peter Czarobski was an American football defensive tackle. He played college football for the University of Notre Dame. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977.-External links:*...
, Notre Dame (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-2; UP-3; NEA-1; CP-3; INS-1; FW-2) - Malachi Mills, VMI (AP-2)
- George Savitski, Penn (UP-2; FW-1)
- Bruce HilkeneBruce HilkeneBruce L. Hilkene was the captain and starting left tackle of the undefeated 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team. The team defeated the USC Trojans 49-0 in the 1948 Rose Bowl and has been selected as the greatest Michigan football team of all time...
, Michigan (NEA-3) - Goble Bryant, Army (CP-2; FW-3)
- Phil O'Reilly, Purdue (INS-2)
- Alex AgaseAlex Agase-External links:...
, Illinois (College Football Hall of Fame) (UP-3)
Guards
- William Fischer, Notre Dame (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1; UP-1; NEA-1; CP-1; INS-2; FW-1)
- Joe SteffyJoe SteffyJoseph Benton "Joe" Steffy, Jr. was an American football player. He went to fight in the Korean War and received the Bronze Medal and the Purple Heart. Steffy was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.-Early life:...
, Army (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3; UP-1; PO-1; CO-1; NEA-1; CP-1; INS-1; WC-1; FW-1) - Steve SuheySteve SuheySteven Joseph Suhey is a former professional American football player, playing guard for two seasons in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was an All-American at Penn State. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985...
, Penn State (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1; UP-3; CO-1; NEA-2; CP-3; INS-1) - Leo NomelliniLeo NomelliniLeo Joseph Nomellini was a Hall of Fame American football player with the San Francisco 49ers. He was born at Lucca in Italy. He was a two-time All-American at the University of Minnesota and the 49ers' first-ever NFL draft choice in 1950.Nomellini played every 49ers game for 14 seasons, 174...
, Minnesota (College and Pro Football Hall of Fame) (AP-2; UP-2; NEA-2; CP-2; INS-2) - Rod FranzRod FranzRodney T. Franz was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977....
, California (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-2; PO-1; CP-2; INS-3; WC-1; FW-2) - Knox RamseyKnox RamseyKnox Wagner "Bulldog" Ramsey was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Redskins. Ramsey also played in the All-America Football Conference for the Los Angeles Dons...
, William & Mary (UP-2; NEA-3 [tackle]) - Mike Dimitro, UCLA (AP-3; INS-3; FW-3)
- J.W. Magee, Rice (NEA-3)
- Jon Baker, California (NEA-3)
- Howard Brown, Indiana (CP-3)
- Dominic TomasiDominic TomasiDominic Tomasi was an American football player who played guard for the University of Michigan Wolverines. He was a four-year starter and was selected as both the captain and Most Valuable Player of the National Champion 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team.-High school:A native of Flint,...
, Michigan (UP-3) - Herbert SiegertHerbert SiegertHerbert Siegert is a former German football manager.Siegert led both Tennis Borussia Berlin and SpVgg Blau-Weiß 1890 Berlin to championship titles in the second tier Regionalliga in 1965 and 1973 respectively.- References :...
, Illinois (FW-2) - Bill Healy, Georgia Tech (FW-3)
Centers
- Chuck BednarikChuck BednarikCharles Philip Bednarik is a former professional American football player, known as one of the most devastating tacklers in the history of football and the last two-way player in the National Football League...
, Pennsylvania (College and Pro Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1; UP-1; PO-1; NEA-2; CP-2; INS-1; WC-1; FW-3) - Dick ScottDick Scott (American football)Dick Scott was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987....
, Navy (AP-2; UP-2; CO-1; NEA-1; CP-1; INS-2; FW-1) - Jay RhodemyreJay RhodemyreJay Rhodemyre is a former center in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 1948 NFL Draft and would play four seasons with the team.-References:...
, Kentucky (AP-3) - George Strohmeyer, Notre Dame (UP-3; NEA-3)
- John RapaczJohn RapaczJohn Joseph Rapacz was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He also played in the All-America Football Conference for the Chicago Rockets/Hornets...
, Oklahoma (CP-3; INS-3) - J. T. WhiteJ. T. WhiteJohn T. "J.T." White was a college football assistant coach, and a second-team 1947 College Football All-American center who played for national championship teams at both the University of Michigan and Ohio State University. White also played basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes men's...
, Michigan (FW-2)
Quarterbacks
- Johnny LujackJohnny LujackJohn Christopher Lujack Jr. is a former American football quarterback and 1947 Heisman Trophy winner.Lujack was born on January 4, 1925, in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. He played college football for the University of Notre Dame, and professionally for the Chicago Bears. Lujack was the first of...
, Notre Dame (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1; UP-1; PO-1; CO-1; NEA-1; CP-1; INS-1; WC-1; FW-1) - Charlie ConerlyCharlie ConerlyCharles Albert Conerly, Jr. was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the New York Giants from 1948 through 1961. Conerly was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.-College career:Conerly attended and played college football at the University of...
, Mississippi (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-2; UP-2; NEA-1; CP-2; INS-1; FW-1) - Bobby LayneBobby LayneRobert Lawrence "Bobby" Layne was an American football quarterback who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1948, the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the Detroit Lions from 1950–1958, and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958–1962...
, Texas (College and Pro Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3; UP-1; NEA-2; CP-1; INS-2; FW-1)
Backs
- Bob ChappuisBob ChappuisRobert Richard "Bob" Chappuis is a former American football player who played halfback and quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1942, 1946, and 1947. His college years were interrupted by service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II...
, Michigan (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1; UP-1; PO-1; CO-1; NEA-1; CP-1; INS-1; WC-1; FW-1) - Doak WalkerDoak WalkerEwell Doak Walker, Jr. was an American football player who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a teammate of Bobby Layne in high school and the NFL.-Early life:...
, Southern Methodist (College and Pro Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1; UP-1; PO-1; NEA-1; CP-1; INS-1; WC-1; FW-2) - Ray EvansRay Evans (American football)Raymond Richard Evans was an American football halfback. He was an All-American in football and a two time All-American in basketball at the University of Kansas and is considered possibly the greatest overall athlete to ever attend KU...
, Kansas (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-1; CO-1; NEA-3; CP-3; INS-2; FW-3) - Bump ElliottBump ElliottChalmers W. "Bump" Elliott is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He played halfback at Purdue University and the University of Michigan...
, Michigan (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-2; UP-2; PO-1; NEA-3; CP-2; INS-3; FW-2) - Tony "Skip" MinisiSkip MinisiAnthony Salvatore "Skip" Minisi was an American football halfback in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985 based on his college career at the University of Pennsylvania and the United States Naval Academy.-External links:...
, Penn (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3; UP-2; CO-1; NEA-3; CP-3; INS-3; WC-1; FW-2) - Harry GilmerHarry GilmerHarry Vincent Gilmer, Jr. is a former American football halfback and quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.-Early life:...
, Alabama (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-2; UP-2; NEA-2; CP-2; INS-2; FW-2) - Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice, North Carolina (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-2; UP-3; NEA-2; CP-3; INS-3)
- Clyde ScottClyde ScottClyde Scott is a retired American athlete who competed professionally in the National Football League and earned an Olympic medal in the 110 meter hurdles....
, Arkansas (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3; CP-3; INS-3) - Jack CloudJack CloudJack Martin Cloud was an American football linebacker and fullback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990....
, William & Mary (College Football Hall of Fame) (AP-3) - George TaliaferroGeorge TaliaferroGeorge Taliaferro is a former professional American football player. He was the first African American drafted by a National Football League team....
, Indiana (College Football Hall of Fame) (NEA-2) - Don DollDon DollDonald LeRoy Doll , formerly Don Burnside, was an American football player and coach.Doll played college football for the USC Trojans and professional football in the National Football League with the Detroit Lions , Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Rams...
, Southern California (NEA-3; FW-3) - Elwyn Rowan, Army (CP-2)
- Jake LeichtJake LeichtJacob Leicht was an American football halfback and defensive back in the All-America Football Conference for the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of Oregon and was drafted in the tenth round of the 1946 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.-External links:...
, Oregon (INS-2) - Terry BrennanTerry BrennanTerence Patrick Brennan is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame from 1954 to 1958, compiling a record of 32–18.-Early life and playing career:...
, Notre Dame (UP-3; FW-3) - Harry Szulborski, Purdue (FW-3)