Ohio State's Archie Griffin picks up some of his game-high 163 yards against Michigan during an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., as Michigan's Walt Williamson (91), Carl Russ (33) and Steve Strinko (59) defend. (AP Photo/File)2025-08-14T16:05:06Z Ohio State and Pittsburgh each placed three players on The Associated Press All-Time All-America team announced Thursday as part of the news organizations celebration of the 100th anniversary of the storied honor for the top players in college football. Since 1925, nearly 2,000 men have been named AP first-team All-Americans, one of the most prestigious honors in the sport.The Big Ten led all conferences with seven selections, two more than the Southeastern Conference. Of the 25 players on the first team, five won the Heisman Trophy and 21 are in the College Football Hall of Fame, two are nominated for induction in 2026 and two are not eligible because they are not yet 10 years removed from their college careers.A panel of 12 AP sports writers who cover college football selected the all-time team. It wont be, and shouldnt be, considered definitive. There have been far more great players over the last century than spots available. For a player to qualify, he must have been an AP first-team All-American at least once. His professional career, if any, was not to be considered. Also, a member of the all-time team could only be listed on the side of the ball where he was named first-team All-America. All-purpose players could come from any position. Voters were cautioned against recency bias, but it is notable that only three of the first-team selections played before 1970. Of the 12 players who were three-time All-Americans, only four made the two all-time teams picked by AP. The AP Top 25 college football poll is back!Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox every week with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. Floridas Tim Tebow edged Texas Vince Young (2005) for all-time first-team quarterback. Tebow won the Heisman and made the AP All-America team as a sophomore in 2007, his first year as the starter. He led the Gators to their second national championship in three years in 2008 and narrowly missed a chance at another when the 2009 team started 13-0 but lost to Alabama in the SEC championship game. He remains the SEC career leader in rushing touchdowns and touchdowns responsible for. Oklahoma States Barry Sanders (1988) and Georgias Herschel Walker (1980-81-82), both Heisman winners, are the running backs. Marshalls Randy Moss (1997) and Pittsburghs Larry Fitzgerald (2003) are the wide receivers.The offensive line is made up of Ohio States Orlando Pace (1995-96) and Pitts Bill Fralic (1982-83-84) at tackle, Alabamas John Hannah (1972) and Ohio States Jim Parker (1956) at guard and Penns Chuck Bednarik (1947-48) at center. The tight end is Georgias Brock Bowers (2023).The all-purpose player is Heisman winner Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska (1972).On defense, Pitts Hugh Green (1978-79-80) and Marylands Randy White (1974) are the ends and Nebraskas Ndamukong Suh (2009) and Minnesotas Bronko Nagurski (1929) are the tackles. The linebackers are Illinois Dick Butkus (1964), Alabamas Derrick Thomas (1988) and Ohio States Chris Spielman (1986-87).The secondary is made up of Heisman winner Charles Woodson of Michigan (1996-97) and Florida States Deion Sanders (1987-88) at cornerback and Southern Californias Ronnie Lott (1980) and Miamis Ed Reed (2000-01) at safety. The specialists are Florida State kicker Sebastian Janikowski (1998-99) and Iowa punter Tory Taylor (2023).Many fans might say Anthony Munoz and Ray Guy, among others, are glaring omissions.Munoz, who played at Southern California from 1976-79, is considered one of the greatest offensive linemen of all time, college or pro. Hes in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Alas, he was never a first-team AP All-American.Guy, who played at Southern Mississippi from 1970-72, he remains the only punter selected in the first round of an NFL draft. But punters were not included on AP All-America teams until 1981.First team offense Wide receivers Randy Moss, Marshall, 1997; Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh, 2003.Tackles Orlando Pace, Ohio State, 1995-96; Bill Fralic, Pittsburgh, 1982-83-84.Guards John Hannah, Alabama, 1972; Jim Parker, Ohio State, 1956.Center Chuck Bednarik, Penn, 1947-48.Tight end Brock Bowers, Georgia, 2023.QB Tim Tebow, Florida, 2007.Running backs Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State, 1988; Herschel Walker, Georgia, 1980-81-82.Kicker Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State, 1998-99.All-purpose Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska, 1972.First team defenseEnds Hugh Green, Pittsburgh, 1978-79-80; Randy White, Maryland, 1974.Tackles Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska, 2009; Bronko Nagurski, Minnesota, 1929.Linebackers Dick Butkus, Illinois, 1964; Derrick Thomas, Alabama, 1988; Chris Spielman, Ohio State, 1986-87.Cornerbacks Charles Woodson, Michigan, 1996-97; Deion Sanders, Florida State, 1987-88.Safeties Ronnie Lott, Southern California, 1980; Ed Reed, Miami, 2000-01.Punter Tory Taylor, Iowa, 2023.Second team offense Wide receivers DeVonta Smith, Alabama, 2020; Desmond Howard, Michigan, 1991.Tackles Jonathan Ogden, UCLA, 1995; Bryant McKinnie, Miami, 2001.Guards Brad Budde, Southern California, 1979; John Smith, Notre Dame, 1927.Center Dave Rimington, Nebraska, 1981-82.Tight end Keith Jackson, Oklahoma, 1986-87.QB Vince Young, Texas, 2005.Running backs Archie Griffin, Ohio State, 1974-75; Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh, 1976.Kicker Martin Gramatica, Kansas State, 1997.All-purpose Tim Brown, Notre Dame, 1986-87.Second team defenseEnds Bubba Smith, Michigan State, 1966; Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech, 1984.Tackles Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma, 1975; Warren Sapp, Miami, 1994.Linebackers Jerry Robinson, UCLA, 1976-77-78; Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma, 1985-86; Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina, 1980.Cornerbacks Champ Bailey, Georgia, 1998; Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, 2011.Safeties Bennie Blades, Miami, 1986-87; Al Brosky, Illinois, 1951.Punter Reggie Roby, Iowa, 1981.First team by conference Big Ten 7SEC 5Independent 4ACC 2Big East 2Big Eight 2Big 12 1MAC 1Pac-10 1(asterisk)Based on players school affiliations at the time they were in college___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football ERIC OLSON Olson is an Associated Press sports writer based in Omaha, Nebraska. He covers Nebraska, Creighton, the Big Ten and national college sports issues. twitter mailto