USU football: Merlin Olsen named to 75th Anniversary All-America Team

Bo Jackson, one of Auburn’s finest and the 1985 victor of the Heisman Trophy, was named one of the top 75 players in college football on the 75th Anniversary All-American teams by the Football Writers Association of America on Thursday.

The FWAA’s announcement of its three All-America teams marked the 75th anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1941.

Michigan’s Charles Woodson is among the 25 players on the FWAA’s first team, joining the likes of Navy’s Roger Staubach, Ohio State’s Archie Griffin and Georgia’s Herschel Walker, among a who’s who of college football greats. Pittsburgh led all ACC schools with five selections, followed by Florida State with 3 selections, and then, Miami coming in at third with the 2 selections. Carter capped his career by being voted the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player in 1982. A two-time first-team All-American and the runner-up to BYU’s Ty Detmer for the 1990 Heisman Trophy, the multi-faceted Ismail was a threat to score whether rushing, catching or returning the ball. He made 22 All American teams during his career, including a record 15 in 1954. That committee selected the final 75-man team. “It put our members in contact with the great players of the past and truly gave them a better snapshot of college football history”. Founded in 1941, the FWAA has presented an All-America team annually since 1944 which the group’s national membership and a blue ribbon committee whittled down to three 25-man teams.

Butkus’ legacy is cemented in football with The Butkus Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding linebacker at the high school, college and professional levels. His No. 62 is one of two retired numbers at Iowa (No. 24, Nile Kinnick). During his nine-year NFL career he made six Pro Bowls and was part of the Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI. He passed away in 2011 at age 66.

The Football Writers Association of America is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Abney starred at UK from 2000-2003, earning first-team All-America honors as a junior and second-team All-America as a senior. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game.