The 1983 All-America college football team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams in 1983. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recognizes five selectors as "official" for the 1983 season. They are: (1) the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA); (2) the Associated Press (AP) selected based on the votes of sports writers at AP newspapers; (3) the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected by the nation's football writers; (4) the United Press International (UPI); and (5) the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WC). Other selectors included Football News (FN), Gannett News Service, the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), and The Sporting News (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 <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Gerald McNeil, Baylor <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FN-2, GNS-3)</small>
- Kenny Jackson, Penn State <small>(AP-2, NEA-1)</small>
- Eric Martin, LSU <small>(GNS-2, TSN)</small>
- Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State (CFHOF) <small>(GNS-1)</small>
- Brian Brennan, Boston College <small>(AP-2, UPI-2, FN-2)</small>
- Louis Lipps, Southern Mississippi <small>(GNS-2)</small>
- Eric Richardson, San Jose State <small>(NEA-2)</small>
- Dwight Collins, Pittsburgh <small>(NEA-2)</small>
- Tracy Henderson, Iowa State <small>(AP-3)</small>
- Dave Moritz, Iowa <small>(AP-3)</small>
- Jim Sandusky, San Diego State <small>(FN-3, GNS-3)</small>
Tight ends
- Gordon Hudson, Brigham Young (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1)</small>
- Chuck Scott, Vanderbilt <small>(TSN)</small>
- John Frank, Ohio State <small>(FN-3, GNS-2, NEA-2)</small>
- Glenn Dennison, Miami (FL) <small>(AP-2)</small>
- Paul Bergmann, UCLA <small>(AP-3, UPI-2)</small>
- Keli McGregor, Colorado State <small>(GNS-3)</small>
Tackles
- Bill Fralic, Pittsburgh (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Terry Long, East Carolina <small>(AFCA, AP-1[guard], FWAA, UPI-2 [guard], WC, FN-3 [guard], GNS-3 [guard])</small>
- Brian Blados, North Carolina <small>(AP-1, UPI-2, FN-3, GNS-3, NEA-1)</small>
- Mark Adickes, Baylor <small>(AP-2, GNS-1, TSN)</small>
- Conrad Goode, Missouri <small>(UPI-1, FN-1)</small>
- Jim Juriga, Illinois <small>(UPI-2, NEA-2)</small>
- Guy McIntyre, Georgia <small>(AP-2)</small>
- William Roberts, Ohio State <small>(FN-2, GNS-2)</small>
- Larry Williams, Notre Dame <small>(FN-2)</small>
- Don Maggs, Tulane <small>(GNS-2)</small>
- Pat Arrington, Auburn <small>(AP-3)</small>
- Scott Raridon, Nebraska <small>(AP-3)</small>
- Duval Love, UCLA <small>(FN-3)</small>
- Mark MacDonald, Boston College <small>(GNS-3)</small>
Guards
- Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska <small>(AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Doug Dawson, Texas <small>(AFCA, AP-1, UPI-2, WC, FN-2, GNS-2, NEA-2 [tackle])</small>
- Stefan Humphries, Michigan <small>(AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1, FN-1, GNS-2, NEA-2, TSN)</small>
- Gary Zimmerman, Oregon <small>(AP-3, GNS-3, NEA-1)</small>
- Ron Solt, Maryland <small>(FN-2, GNS-1, NEA-2)</small>
- James Farr, Clemson <small>(AP-3)</small>
- Chris Babyar, Illinois <small>(FN-3)</small>
Centers
- Tony Slaton, USC <small>(AP-2, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1)</small>
- Tom Dixon, Michigan <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FN-2, GNS-1, TSN)</small>
- Mike Ruether, Texas <small>(UPI-2 [guard], NEA-1)</small>
- Jim Sweeney, Pittsburgh <small>(AP-3, GNS-2)</small>
- Joel Hilgenberg, Iowa <small>(GNS-3, NEA-2)</small>
- Phil Ebinger, Duke <small>(FN-3)</small>
Quarterbacks
- Steve Young, Brigham Young (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Randall Cunningham, UNLV (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA [punter], AP-2 [punter], GNS-2)</small>
- Doug Flutie, Boston College (CFHOF) <small>(UPI-2, FN-3)</small>
- Turner Gill, Nebraska <small>(AP-2)</small>
- Walter Lewis, Alabama <small>(FN-2)</small>
- Boomer Esiason, Maryland <small>(NEA-2)</small>
- Ben Bennett, Duke <small>(AP-3)</small>
- Jeff Hostetler, West Virginia <small>(GNS-3)</small>
Running backs
- Mike Rozier, Nebraska (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Bo Jackson, Auburn (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1)</small>
- Greg Allen, Florida State <small>(AP-3, UPI-1, WC, FN-2, GNS-3, NEA-2)</small>
- Napoleon McCallum, Navy (CFHOF) <small>(AP-2, FWAA, UPI-2, WC, FN-2, GNS-3, NEA-2, TSN [RS])</small>
- Allen Pinkett, Notre Dame <small>(AP-2, UPI-2, FN-1, GNS-2, TSN)</small>
- Keith Byars, Ohio State (CFHOF) <small>(AP-3, UPI-2, GNS-2)</small>
- Alfred Anderson, Baylor <small>(FN-2)</small>
- Ethan Horton, North Carolina <small>(FN-3)</small>
- D. J. Dozier, Penn State <small>(FN-3)</small>
- John Kershner, Air Force <small>(FN-3)</small>
Defense
Defensive ends
- William Fuller, North Carolina (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-2, UPI-2 [DT], WC, FN-1, GNS-2, NEA-2, TSN)</small>
- Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-2, FN-3, GNS-1, NEA-1)</small>
- Don Thorp, Illinois <small>(AP-3 [DT], FWAA, UPI-2 [DT], FN-2, GNS-3, NEA-2, TSN)</small>
- Freddie Gilbert, Georgia <small>(AP-2, UPI-1, FN-2, GNS-2)</small>
- Ron Faurot, Arkansas <small>(UPI-1, FN-2)</small>
- Donnie Humphrey, Auburn <small>(UPI-2, GNS-3)</small>
- Jimmie Carter, New Mexico <small>(AP-3)</small>
Defensive tackles
- Rick Bryan, Oklahoma <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Reggie White, Tennessee (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Keith Millard, Washington State <small>(GNS-1)</small>
- Dan Ralph, Oregon <small>(GNS-2)</small>
- Ray Childress, Texas A&M (CFHOF) <small>(GNS-2)</small>
- Doug Smith, Auburn <small>(AP-3, FN-2, NEA-2)</small>
- Andre Townsend, Mississippi <small>(FN-3)</small>
- Alphonso Carreker, Florida State <small>(FN-3)</small>
- Bill Maas, Pittsburgh <small>(GNS-3)</small>
- James Robinson, Clemson <small>(GNS-3)</small>
Middle guards
Linebackers
- Ricky Hunley, Arizona (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-2, NEA-1)</small>
- Wilber Marshall, Florida (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, UPI-1, WC, FN-1 [DL], GNS-3, NEA-1)</small>
- Ron Rivera, California <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-2, FN-1 [DL], GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Jeff Leiding, Texas <small>(AP-1, FWAA, UPI-2, WC, FN-1)</small>
- Carl Banks, Michigan State <small>(AP-1, UPI-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Vaughan Johnson, North Carolina State <small>(AP-2, TSN)</small>
- Jay Brophy, Miami (FL) <small>(AP-3, UPI-2, FN-1, NEA-2)</small>
- Jack Del Rio, USC <small>(AP-3, FN-3 [DL], GNS-1, NEA-2)</small>
- Kevin Murphy, Oklahoma <small>(AP-2, UPI-2 [DE], GNS-2)</small>
- Gregg Carr, Auburn <small>(AP-2, FN-3)</small>
- Steve DeOssie, Boston College <small>(AP-2)</small>
- Jackie Shipp, Oklahoma <small>(FN-2, NEA-2)</small>
- Rowland Tatum, Ohio State <small>(FN-3 [DL], NEA-2)</small>
- Larry Station, Iowa <small>(FN-2)</small>
- Scott Radecic, Penn State <small>(FN-2)</small>
- Mike Knox, Nebraska <small>(GNS-2)</small>
- Jim Dumont, Rutgers <small>(AP-3)</small>
- Andy Ponseigo, Navy <small>(AP-3, FN-3)</small>
- Tommy Thurson, Georgia <small>(FN-3)</small>
- Gary Reasons, NW Louisiana St (Div I-AA) <small>(GNS-3)</small>
- Emanuel King, Alabama <small>(GNS-3)</small>
Defensive backs
- Don Rogers, UCLA <small>(AFCA, AP-2, FWAA, UPI-2, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-2, TSN)</small>
- Jerry Gray, Texas (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, GNS-1, NEA-1)</small>
- Russell Carter, SMU <small>(AFCA, AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-1, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Terry Hoage, Georgia (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, FWAA, UPI-1, WC, FN-1, GNS-2, NEA-1, TSN)</small>
- Mossy Cade, Texas <small>(AP-1, UPI-2, WC, FN-2, GNS-2, NEA-2, TSN)</small>
- Leonard Coleman, Vanderbilt <small>(AP-3, GNS-1, NEA-2)</small>
- Craig Swoope, Illinois <small>(AP-2, UPI-2, FN-3, NEA-1)</small>
- Victor Scott, Colorado <small>(AP-2)</small>
- Tom Flynn, Pittsburgh <small>(FN-3, NEA-2)</small>
- Ken Calhoun, Miami (FL) <small>(FN-2)</small>
- Tony Lilly, Florida <small>(FN-2)</small>
- David Fulcher, Arizona State (CFHOF) <small>(GNS-2)</small>
- Randy Robbins, Arizona <small>(GNS-2)</small>
- Martin Bayless, Bowling Green <small>(AP-3, GNS-3)</small>
- Harry Hamilton, Penn State <small>(AP-3, GNS-3)</small>
- Tim Agee, West Virginia <small>(FN-3)</small>
- Chris Rockins, Oklahoma State <small>(GNS-3)</small>
- Bo Eason, UC Davis <small>(GNS-3)</small>
Special teams
Kickers
- Luis Zendejas, Arizona State <small>(AP-1, FWAA, WC, FN-3, GNS-2, NEA-1)</small>
- Bruce Kallmeyer, Kansas <small>(AFCA, AP-2, UPI-1, GNS-1)</small>
- Paul Woodside, West Virginia <small>(UPI-2, FN-2, TSN)</small>
- Tony Zendejas, Nevada (Reno) <small>(NEA-2)</small>
- Jeff Ward, Texas <small>(AP-3)</small>
- Kevin Butler, Georgia <small>(FN-1, GNS-3)</small>
Punters
- Jack Weil, Wyoming <small>(AP-1, FWAA, UPI-1, FN-3, GNS-3, NEA-2)</small>
- Jim Colquitt, Tennessee <small>(WC, FN-2, NEA-1)</small>
- Randall Cunningham, UNLV (CFHOF) <small>(AFCA, AP-2)</small>
- Ralf Mojsiejenko, Michigan State <small>(GNS-1, TSN)</small>
- John Kidd, Northwestern <small>(FN-1, GNS-2)</small>
- John Teltschik, Texas <small>(UPI-2)</small>
- Harry Newsome, Wake Forest <small>(AP-3)</small>
Returners
Key
- Bold â Consensus All-American
- -1 â First-team selection
- -2 â Second-team selection
- -3 â Third-team selection
- CFHOF = College Football Hall of Fame inductee
Official selectors
Other selectors
See also
References