1954 College Football All-America Team
Encyclopedia
The 1954 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Team
s for the 1954 college football season
. The organizations choosing the teams included the United Press, Associated Press
, the Football Writers Association of America, the American Football Coaches Association, and the Newspaper Editors Association. Wisconsin's fullback Alan Ameche
won the Heisman Trophy
in 1954 as the best player in college football and was a unanimous All-American selection. Two other players were unanimous choices among the All-American selectors: Notre Dame's quarterback
Ralph Guglielmi
and Ohio State's halfback Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy.
Bold = Consensus All-American
voting.
voting, and their position in the NFL Draft.
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
s for the 1954 college football season
1954 college football season
The 1954 college football season saw three teams finish unbeaten and untied, with Ohio State Buckeyes and the UCLA Bruins sharing the national championship as the #1 picks of the AP Poll and the UPI Poll, respectively. Although the winners of the Big Ten and the Pacific conferences normally met in...
. The organizations choosing the teams included the United Press, Associated Press
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...
, the Football Writers Association of America, the American Football Coaches Association, and the Newspaper Editors Association. Wisconsin's fullback Alan Ameche
Alan Ameche
Lino Dante "Alan" Ameche , nicknamed "The Horse", was an American football player who played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League after winning the Heisman Trophy in college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first...
won the Heisman Trophy
Heisman 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...
in 1954 as the best player in college football and was a unanimous All-American selection. Two other players were unanimous choices among the All-American selectors: Notre Dame's 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...
Ralph Guglielmi
Ralph Guglielmi
Ralph Vincent Guglielmi is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles...
and Ohio State's halfback Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy.
Ends
- Max BoydstonMax BoydstonMax Ray Boydston was a professional gridiron football end who played in the National Football League , the Canadian Football League , and the American Football League .-College career:...
, Oklahoma (UP, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, INS, WC) - Ron BeagleRon BeagleRon Beagle is a former American football end. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.-See also:* 1954 College Football All-America Team...
, Navy (AP, FWAA, TSN, NEA, INS, WC) - Don HollederDon HollederDonald Walter Holleder was an American college football star and a hero of the Vietnam War.-Early life and football career:...
, Army (UP, AFCA, NEA, CP) - Frank McDonald, Miami (Fla.) (AP, FWAA)
- Dean Dugger, Ohio State (FWAA)
- Ron KramerRon KramerRonald J. Kramer was a multi-sport college athlete and professional American football player. Before embarking on a career in the National Football League, he lettered in football, basketball, and track at the University of Michigan in the 1950s...
, Michigan (CP)
Tackles
- Jack EllenaJack EllenaJack Duane Ellena is a former American football player.Ellena played offensive tackle for coach Red Sanders at UCLA from 1952 to 1954. He was a member of the Bruins team that won the 1954 Rose Bowl and was named that year's FWAA & UPI national champions...
, UCLA (AP, UP, AFCA, TSN, NEA, CP, INS, WC) - Sid FournetSid FournetSidney Fredrick Fournet was a former professional American football player who played defensive lineman for seven seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Texans, and New York Jets...
, LSU (UP, FWAA, AFCA, NEA, INS, WC) - Frank VarrichioneFrank VarrichioneFrank Varrichione is a former American football tackle. He played eleven seasons in the National Football League: six for the Pittsburgh Steelers and five for the Los Angeles Rams.-See also:...
, Notre Dame (TSN, CP) - Rex Boggan, Mississippi (AP)
- Darris McCordDarris McCordDarris McCord is a former American football Defensive End for the Detroit Lions . He attended the University of Tennessee...
, Tennessee (FWAA) - Art WalkerArt WalkerArthur D. Walker, Jr. was an American football player. He was an All-American at the University of Michigan in 1954 and played seven seasons of professional football with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League from 1955-1961.-Early years:Walker, an African-American who grew up four...
, Michigan (FWAA)
Guards
- Bud BrooksBud BrooksWilliam "Bud" Brooks is a former college American football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the winner of the 1954 Outland Trophy as the year's best interior lineman....
, Arkansas (AP, UP, FWAA-[t], AFCA, TSN, NEA, INS, WC) - Cal JonesCal JonesCalvin Jack Jones was a college football player for the University of Iowa. Jones is one of only two Iowa football players to have his jersey number retired by the school. Jones became the first Hawkeye, and the first African-American, to win the Outland Trophy in 1955...
, Iowa (UP, FWAA, TSN, CP, NEA, WC) - Tom BettisTom BettisWilliam Thomas "Tom" Bettis is a former American football linebacker and coach. After starring at Purdue, Bettis was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 1955 NFL Draft. He played nine seasons for the Packers, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Chicago Bears...
, Purdue (FWAA, CP, INS) - Ralph Chesnauskas, Army (AP)
- Jim SalisburyJim SalisburyJim Salisbury is writer/reporter for CSNPhilly.com and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Salisbury covers the Philadelphia Phillies and Major League Baseball. He is a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America....
, UCLA (FWAA, AFCA) - Frank Mincevich, South Carolina (FWAA)
Centers
- Kurt BurrisKurt BurrisKurt Burris was an American gridiron football center. He played college football at Oklahoma, where he was an All-American and finished second in the 1954 Heisman Trophy balloting...
, Oklahoma (AP, UP, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, NEA, CP, WC) - Hal Easterwood, Mississippi State (FWAA)
- Matt HazeltineMatt HazeltineMatthew Emory Hazeltine, Jr. was a professional American football linebacker who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants....
, California (INS)
Quarterbacks
- Ralph "Goog" GuglielmiRalph GuglielmiRalph Vincent Guglielmi is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles...
, Notre Dame (AP, UP, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, NEA, CP, INS, WC) - Paul Larson, California (FWAA)
Halfbacks
- Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy, Ohio State (AP, UP, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, NEA, CP, INS, WC)
- Dicky "Forty-Seven" Maegle, Rice (AP, UP, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, NEA, WC)
- Tommy Bell, Army (FWAA, INS)
- Lenny MooreLenny MooreLeonard Edward Moore is a former American football halfback who played for Penn State in college and the Baltimore Colts. He came to the Colts in 1956, and had a productive first pro season and was named the NFL Rookie of The Year...
, Penn State (CP) - Bob McNamara, Minnesota (FWAA)
Fullbacks
- Alan "The Horse" AmecheAlan AmecheLino Dante "Alan" Ameche , nicknamed "The Horse", was an American football player who played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League after winning the Heisman Trophy in college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first...
, Wisconsin (AP, UP, FWAA, AFCA, TSN, NEA, CP, INS, WC) - Bob Davenport, UCLA (FWAA)
Key
- AP = Associated Press: “The team was chosen on the recommendations of 11 AP regional all-America boards plus individual recommendations received from more than 500 AP member newspapers and radio stations, and is based on full reports for the entire season.”)
- UP = United Press
- TSN = The Sporting News
- FWAA = Football Writers Association of America
- AFCA = American Football Coaches Association, published in Collier’s Magazine
- NEA = Newspaper Editors Association
- 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 by captains of college football teams - INS = International News Service: “selected by INS grid experts throughout the nation”
- WC = Walter Camp Football Foundation
Bold = Consensus All-American
Heisman Trophy voting
The chart below reflects the point total in the 1954 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.
| Rank | Name | Position | School | Heisman points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alan Ameche Alan Ameche Lino Dante "Alan" Ameche , nicknamed "The Horse", was an American football player who played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League after winning the Heisman Trophy in college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first... |
Fullback Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback... |
Wisconsin | 1,068 |
| 2 | Kurt Burris Kurt Burris Kurt Burris was an American gridiron football center. He played college football at Oklahoma, where he was an All-American and finished second in the 1954 Heisman Trophy balloting... |
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... |
Oklahoma | 838 |
| 3 | Howard Cassidy | Halfback 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... |
Ohio State | 810 |
| 4 | Ralph Guglielmi Ralph Guglielmi Ralph Vincent Guglielmi is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles... |
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... |
Notre Dame | 691 |
| 5 | Paul Larson | 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... |
California | 271 |
| 6 | Dicky Maegle | Halfback 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... |
Rice | 258 |
Other individual awards
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
: Ron BeagleRon BeagleRon Beagle is a former American football end. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.-See also:* 1954 College Football All-America Team...
, end, Navy - Walter Camp AwardWalter Camp AwardThe Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
(Back): Ralph GuglielmiRalph GuglielmiRalph Vincent Guglielmi is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles...
, quarterback, Notre Dame - Knute Rockne Award (Lineman): Max BoydstonMax BoydstonMax Ray Boydston was a professional gridiron football end who played in the National Football League , the Canadian Football League , and the American Football League .-College career:...
, end, Oklahoma - Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
: Bud BrooksBud BrooksWilliam "Bud" Brooks is a former college American football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the winner of the 1954 Outland Trophy as the year's best interior lineman....
, guard, Arkansas - AFCA Coach of the Year: Red Sanders, UCLA
Overview
The chart below reflects the number of polls in which the leading candidates were selected as a first-team All-Americans, their point total in the 1954 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, and their position in the NFL Draft.
| Name | Position | School | First-team selections | Heisman points | NFL Draft rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Ameche Alan Ameche Lino Dante "Alan" Ameche , nicknamed "The Horse", was an American football player who played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League after winning the Heisman Trophy in college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first... |
Fullback Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback... |
Wisconsin | 9 | 1,068 | 3rd - 1955 |
| Howard Cassidy | Halfback 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... |
Ohio State | 9 | -- | 3rd - 1956 |
| Ralph Guglielmi Ralph Guglielmi Ralph Vincent Guglielmi is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles... |
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... |
Notre Dame | 9 | 691 | 4th - 1955 |
| Kurt Burris Kurt Burris Kurt Burris was an American gridiron football center. He played college football at Oklahoma, where he was an All-American and finished second in the 1954 Heisman Trophy balloting... |
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... |
Oklahoma | 8 | 838 | 13th - 1955 |
| Jack Ellena Jack Ellena Jack Duane Ellena is a former American football player.Ellena played offensive tackle for coach Red Sanders at UCLA from 1952 to 1954. He was a member of the Bruins team that won the 1954 Rose Bowl and was named that year's FWAA & UPI national champions... |
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.... |
UCLA | 8 | 193 | |
| Bud Brooks Bud Brooks William "Bud" Brooks is a former college American football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the winner of the 1954 Outland Trophy as the year's best interior lineman.... |
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.... |
Arkansas | 8 | -- | 60th - 1955 |
| Dicky Maegle | Halfback 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... |
Rice | 7 | 258 | 10th - 1955 |
| Cal Jones Cal Jones Calvin Jack Jones was a college football player for the University of Iowa. Jones is one of only two Iowa football players to have his jersey number retired by the school. Jones became the first Hawkeye, and the first African-American, to win the Outland Trophy in 1955... |
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.... |
Iowa | 6 | -- | 98th - 1956 |
| Sid Fournet Sid Fournet Sidney Fredrick Fournet was a former professional American football player who played defensive lineman for seven seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Texans, and New York Jets... |
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.... |
LSU | 6 | -- | 20th - 1955 |
| Max Boydston Max Boydston Max Ray Boydston was a professional gridiron football end who played in the National Football League , the Canadian Football League , and the American Football League .-College career:... |
End | Oklahoma | 6 | -- | 2nd - 1955 |
| Ron Beagle Ron Beagle Ron Beagle is a former American football end. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.-See also:* 1954 College Football All-America Team... |
End | Navy | 6 | -- | 197th - 1956 |
| Don Holleder Don Holleder Donald Walter Holleder was an American college football star and a hero of the Vietnam War.-Early life and football career:... |
End | Army | 4 | -- | 93rd - 1956 |
| Tom Bettis Tom Bettis William Thomas "Tom" Bettis is a former American football linebacker and coach. After starring at Purdue, Bettis was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 1955 NFL Draft. He played nine seasons for the Packers, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Chicago Bears... |
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.... |
Purdue | 3 | -- | 5th - 1955 |