The Georgia Bulldogs have seen several world-class football players dawn the red and black. A few of them earned major recognition this week. The Associated Press listed their two All-Time AP All-American teams, and three Georgia Bulldogs were selected. Herschel Walker and Brock Bowers made the first team, while Champ Bailey made the second team. Curiously, former Georgia linebacker David Pollack was left off both teams.
To make the All-Time AP All-American Teams, players had to have at least a first-team AP All-American selection on their resume. Pro football careers weren’t factored into the consideration.
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Herschel Walker was a generational running back from the start at Georgia. As a true freshman in 1980, he rushed for 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns in 274 attempts through 11 games. He was the driving force on offense for a national championship winning team, and he won 1980 SEC player of the year, finishing third in Heisman voting as well. He was also the first true freshman to be named an All-American.
Overall, Walker accounted for the most career rushing yards in both Georgia and SEC history (5,259), along with being first among all SEC running backs in career rushing touchdowns (49). He won the 1982 Heisman as well.
Brock Bowers was a generational tight end starting his freshman year. In 2021, he had 882 yards and 13 touchdowns, the most touchdowns by a Georgia tight end in school history. Bowers finished fifth in career receiving yards (2,538) and second in receiving touchdowns (26) in Georgia history.
Bowers is the first and only Georgia tight end to win the John Mackey award, which he did in 2022 and 2023. Bowers is one of three players to make three All-American teams (2021-23)
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Champ Bailey made the All-Time AP All-American second team. didn’t play much his freshman season (1996), but he made up for lost time. In 1998, Bailey played as a safety, cornerback, and wide receiver for Georgia. He had three interceptions on defense and 744 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 47 receptions on offense. He also returned punts and kicks for Georgia.
Bailey was a Consensus All-American in 1998, winning the Bronco Nagurski award for best defensive player in the country.
Curiously, former Georgia linebacker/defensive lineman David Pollack was left off the list. During his four-year tenure from 2001-04, Pollack won SEC player of the year twice (2002, 2004), the Ted Hendricks award twice (2003-04, for the best linebacker), the 2004 SEC defensive player of the year and 2004 Chuck Bednarik Award (for the best defensive lineman).
Pollack, along with Walker and Bowers, made an All-American team three times (2002-04) in his tenure.
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All-Time AP All-American teams
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 Defense:
Ends — Hugh Green, Pittsburgh, 1978-79-80; Randy White, Maryland, 1974.
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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.
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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 Defense:
Ends — 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.
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Safeties — Bennie Blades, Miami, 1986-87; Al Brosky, Illinois, 1951.
Punter — Reggie Roby, Iowa, 1981.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Three Georgia Bulldogs make all-time AP All-American team
