The 1983 College Football All-America team is composed of

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

players who were selected as

All-America The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed on outstanding athletes in the United States who are considered to be among the best athletes in their respective sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an Al ...

ns by various organizations and writers that chose

College Football All-America Team The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best college football players in the United States at their respective positions. The original use of the term '' All-America'' seems to have been to the 1889 College Footbal ...

s in 1983. The

National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...

(NCAA) recognizes five selectors as "official" for the 1983 season. They are: (1) the

American Football Coaches Association The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) is an association of over 11,000 American football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "mainta ...

(AFCA); (2) the

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...

(AP) selected based on the votes of sports writers at AP newspapers; (3) the

Football Writers Association of America The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) is an organization of college football media members in the United States founded in 1941. It is composed of approximately 1,200 professional sports writers from both print and Internet media out ...

(FWAA) selected by the nation's football writers; (4) the

United Press International United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20th ce ...

(UPI); and (5) the

Walter Camp Football Foundation The Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF) is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit ...

(WC). Other selectors included '' Football News'' (FN), Gannett News Service, the

Newspaper Enterprise Association The Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) is an editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1902. The oldest syndicate still in operation, the NEA was originally a secondary new ...

(NEA), and ''

The Sporting News ''The Sporting News'' is a website and former magazine publication owned by Sporting News Holdings, which is a U.S.-based sports media company formed in December 2020 by a private investor consortium. It was originally established in 1886 as a ...

'' (TSN).

Consensus All-Americans

The following charts identify the NCAA-recognized consensus All-Americans for the year 1983 and displays which first-team designations they received.

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Offense

Receivers

* Irving Fryar, Nebraska (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) * Gerald McNeil, Baylor (AFCA, AP-1, FN-2, GNS-3) * Kenny Jackson, Penn State (AP-2, NEA-1) * Eric Martin, LSU (GNS-2, TSN) * Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State (CFHOF) (GNS-1) * Brian Brennan, Boston College (AP-2, UPI-2, FN-2) * Louis Lipps, Southern Mississippi (GNS-2) * Eric Richardson, San Jose State (NEA-2) * Dwight Collins, Pittsburgh (NEA-2) * Tracy Henderson, Iowa State (AP-3) * Dave Moritz, Iowa (AP-3) * Jim Sandusky, San Diego State (FN-3, GNS-3)

Tight ends

* Gordon Hudson, Brigham Young (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1) * Chuck Scott, Vanderbilt (TSN) * John Frank, Ohio State (FN-3, GNS-2, NEA-2) * Glenn Dennison, Miami (FL) (AP-2) *

Paul Bergmann Paul George Bergmann (born March 30, 1961) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a tight end in the United States Football League (USFL) and National Football League (NFL). Early life Bergmann's football ...

, UCLA (AP-3, UPI-2) * Keli McGregor, Colorado State (GNS-3)

Tackles

* Bill Fralic, Pittsburgh (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) * Terry Long, East Carolina (AFCA, AP-1 uard FWAA, UPI-2 uard WC, FN-3 uard GNS-3 uard * Brian Blados, North Carolina (AP-1, UPI-2, FN-3, GNS-3, NEA-1) *

Mark Adickes Mark Stephen Adickes (born April 22, 1961) is an orthopedic surgeon and a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins. Adickes was an All-American offensive ...

, Baylor (AP-2, GNS-1, TSN) * Conrad Goode, Missouri (UPI-1, FN-1) * Jim Juriga, Illinois (UPI-2, NEA-2) * Guy McIntyre, Georgia (AP-2) * William Roberts, Ohio State (FN-2, GNS-2) * Larry Williams, Notre Dame (FN-2) * Don Maggs, Tulane (GNS-2) * Pat Arrington, Auburn (AP-3) * Scott Raridon, Nebraska (AP-3) * Duval Love, UCLA (FN-3) * Mark MacDonald, Boston College (GNS-3)

Guards

* Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska (AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) * Doug Dawson, Texas (AFCA, AP-1, UPI-2, WC, FN-2, GNS-2, NEA-2 ackle * Stefan Humphries, Michigan (AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1, FN-1, GNS-2, NEA-2, TSN) * Gary Zimmerman, Oregon (AP-3, GNS-3, NEA-1) * Ron Solt, Maryland (FN-2, GNS-1, NEA-2) * James Farr, Clemson (AP-3) * Chris Babyar, Illinois (FN-3)

Centers

* Tony Slaton, USC (AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1) * Tom Dixon, Michigan (AFCA, AP-1, FN-2, GNS-1, TSN) * Mike Ruether, Texas (UPI-2 uard NEA-1) * Jim Sweeney, Pittsburgh (AP-3, GNS-2) * Joel Hilgenberg, Iowa (GNS-3, NEA-2) * Phil Ebinger, Duke (FN-3)

Quarterbacks

Steve Young Jon Steven Young (born October 11, 1961) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, most notably with the San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the Tampa Bay Bu ...

, Brigham Young (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) * Randall Cunningham, UNLV (CFHOF) (AFCA unter AP-2 unter GNS-2) *

Doug Flutie Douglas Richard Flutie (born October 23, 1962) is an American former professional Gridiron football, football quarterback who played for 21 seasons. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), eight seasons in the Canadian Footb ...

, Boston College (CFHOF) (UPI-2, FN-3) *

Turner Gill Turner Hillery Gill (born August 13, 1962) is an American college athletic administrator and former football player and coach. He is the Executive Director of Student-Athlete and Staff Development at the University of Arkansas, a position he as ...

, Nebraska (AP-2) * Walter Lewis, Alabama (FN-2) *

Boomer Esiason Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason (; born April 17, 1961) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football for ...

, Maryland (NEA-2) * Ben Bennett, Duke (AP-3) * Jeff Hostetler, West Virginia (GNS-3)

Running backs

Mike Rozier Michael M. Rozier (born March 1, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the United States Football League (USFL) for two seasons and the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons from 1985 to 1 ...

, Nebraska (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) * Bo Jackson, Auburn (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1) * Greg Allen, Florida State (AP-3, UPI-1, WC, FN-2, GNS-3, NEA-2) * Napoleon McCallum, Navy (CFHOF) (AP-2, FWAA, UPI-2, WC, FN-2, GNS-3, NEA-2, TSN S * Allen Pinkett, Notre Dame (AP-2, UPI-2, FN-1, GNS-2, TSN) * Keith Byars, Ohio State (CFHOF) (AP-3, UPI-2, GNS-2) * Alfred Anderson, Baylor (FN-2) * Ethan Horton, North Carolina (FN-3) * D. J. Dozier, Penn State (FN-3) * John Kershner, Air Force (FN-3)

Defense

Defensive ends

* William Fuller, North Carolina (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-2, UPI-2 T WC, FN-1, GNS-2, NEA-2, TSN) * Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-2, FN-3, GNS-1, NEA-1) * Don Thorp, Illinois (AP-3 T FWAA, UPI-2 T FN-2, GNS-3, NEA-2, TSN) * Freddie Gilbert, Georgia (AP-2, UPI-1, FN-2, GNS-2) * Ron Faurot, Arkansas (UPI-1, FN-2) * Donnie Humphrey, Auburn (UPI-2, GNS-3) * Jimmie Carter, New Mexico (AP-3)

Defensive tackles

* Rick Bryan, Oklahoma (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) *

Reggie White Reginald Howard White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. White played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, ear ...

, Tennessee (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) * Keith Millard, Washington State (GNS-1) * Dan Ralph, Oregon (GNS-2) * Ray Childress, Texas A&M (CFHOF) (GNS-2) * Doug Smith, Auburn (AP-3, FN-2, NEA-2) * Andre Townsend, Mississippi (FN-3) * Alphonso Carreker, Florida State (FN-3) * Bill Maas, Pittsburgh (GNS-3) * James Robinson, Clemson (GNS-3)

Middle guards

* William Perry, Clemson (AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-2) *

Brian Pillman Brian William Pillman (May 22, 1962 – October 5, 1997) was an American professional wrestler and professional football player best known for his appearances in Stampede Wrestling in the 1980s and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme ...

, Miami (OH) (AP-2) * Michael Carter, SMU (AP-3, UPI-2)

Linebackers

* Ricky Hunley, Arizona (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-2, NEA-1) * Wilber Marshall, Florida (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, UPI-1, WC, FN-1 L GNS-3, NEA-1) * Ron Rivera, California (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-2, FN-1 L GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) *

Jeff Leiding Jeffrey James Leiding (October 28, 1961 – July 13, 2014) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) and United States Football League (USFL). Early life and college Jeffrey James Le ...

, Texas (AP-1, FWAA, UPI-2, WC, FN-1) * Carl Banks, Michigan State (AP-1, UPI-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) *

Vaughan Johnson Vaughan Monroe Johnson (March 24, 1962 – December 12, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles. He also was a member of ...

, North Carolina State (AP-2, TSN) * Jay Brophy, Miami (FL) (AP-3, UPI-2, FN-1, NEA-2) * Jack Del Rio, USC (AP-3, FN-3 L GNS-1, NEA-2) * Kevin Murphy, Oklahoma (AP-2, UPI-2 E GNS-2) * Gregg Carr, Auburn (AP-2, FN-3) * Steve DeOssie, Boston College (AP-2) * Jackie Shipp, Oklahoma (FN-2, NEA-2) * Rowland Tatum, Ohio State (FN-3 L NEA-2) * Larry Station, Iowa (FN-2) * Scott Radecic, Penn State (FN-2) * Mike Knox, Nebraska (GNS-2) * Jim Dumont, Rutgers (AP-3) * Andy Ponseigo, Navy (AP-3, FN-3) * Tommy Thurson, Georgia (FN-3) * Gary Reasons, NW Louisiana St (Div I-AA) (GNS-3) * Emanuel King, Alabama (GNS-3)

Defensive backs

* Don Rogers, UCLA (AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, UPI-2, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-2, TSN) * Jerry Gray, Texas (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, GNS-1, NEA-1) * Russell Carter, SMU (AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN) * Terry Hoage, Georgia (CFHOF) (AFCA, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-2, NEA-1, TSN) *

Mossy Cade Tommories "Mossy" S. Cade (born December 26, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a safety first for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1985 and then for two seasons from 1985 to 19 ...

, Texas (AP-1, UPI-2, WC, FN-2, GNS-2, NEA-2, TSN) * Leonard Coleman, Vanderbilt (AP-3, GNS-1, NEA-2) * Craig Swoope, Illinois (AP-2, UPI-2, FN-3, NEA-1) * Victor Scott, Colorado (AP-2) * Tom Flynn, Pittsburgh (FN-3, NEA-2) * Ken Calhoun, Miami (FL) (FN-2) * Tony Lilly, Florida (FN-2) *

David Fulcher David Dwayne Fulcher (born September 28, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ar ...

, Arizona State (CFHOF) (GNS-2) * Randy Robbins, Arizona (GNS-2) * Martin Bayless, Bowling Green (AP-3, GNS-3) * Harry Hamilton, Penn State (AP-3, GNS-3) * Tim Agee, West Virginia (FN-3) * Chris Rockins, Oklahoma State (GNS-3) * Bo Eason, UC Davis (GNS-3)

Special teams

Kickers

* Luis Zendejas, Arizona State (AP-1, FWAA, WC, FN-3, GNS-2, NEA-1) * Bruce Kallmeyer, Kansas (AFCA, AP-2, UPI-1, GNS-1) * Paul Woodside, West Virginia (UPI-2, FN-2, TSN) * Tony Zendejas, Nevada (Reno) (NEA-2) * Jeff Ward, Texas (AP-3) * Kevin Butler, Georgia (FN-1, GNS-3)

Punters

* Jack Weil, Wyoming (AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, FN-3, GNS-3, NEA-2) * Jim Colquitt, Tennessee (WC, FN-2, NEA-1) * Randall Cunningham, UNLV (CFHOF) (AFCA, AP-2) * Ralf Mojsiejenko, Michigan State (GNS-1, TSN) * John Kidd, Northwestern (FN-1, GNS-2) * John Teltschik, Texas (UPI-2) * Harry Newsome, Wake Forest (AP-3)

Returners

* Napoleon McCallum, Navy (CFHOF) (TSN)

Key

* Bold – Consensus All-American * -1 – First-team selection * -2 – Second-team selection * -3 – Third-team selection * CFHOF =

College Football Hall of Fame The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and interactive Tourist attraction, attraction devoted to college football, college American football. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the players ...

inductee

Official selectors

* AFCA –

, aka the Kodak-AFCA Team * AP –

* FWAA –

* UPI –

* WC –

Other selectors

* FN – '' Football News'' * GNS – Gannett News Service * NEA –

* TSN – ''

References

{{College Football All-America Teams All-America Team College Football All-America Teams

Consensus All-Americans

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Offense

Receivers

Tight ends

Tackles

Guards

Centers

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Defense

Defensive ends

Defensive tackles

Middle guards

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Kickers

Punters

Returners

Key

Official selectors

Other selectors

See also

References