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Introducing the all-time Baylor football team

By Brice Cherry | Sunday, January 11, 2009, 06:00 AM

Whoever came up with the idea of putting together a series of all-time Baylor sports teams should be fired. That moron had no idea how much work it would be.

Wait a minute … that was me. Um, never mind.

I knew this would be an ambitious project when the idea first came, but I didn’t know just how ambitious until after it really got going. Researching all the great athletes from more than a century of Baylor athletics takes time and effort, probably even more than I expected.

And yet I’d do it all over again. It was fun.

For the last three weeks, I’ve been revealing a variety of Baylor all-time sports teams on our Bear Blog at wacotrib.com. Today, I’ll unveil the final squad for Baylor football, as well as provide a listing of all the teams for those readers who aren’t in the point-and-click crowd.

Those of you who are avid online readers cast more than 4,500 votes picking your own favorite all-time BU athletes in their respective sports, and you can check out those results on Page 5D as well. Thanks to everyone who voted or provided comments or criticism of my choices.

That said, let me introduce Baylor’s best gridiron warriors. Let the nit-picking begin.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Don Trull (1961-63): Baylor has produced several standout signal-callers — Larry Isbell, Cotton Davidson, Neal Jeffrey, Cody Carlson and J.J. Joe among them. But Trull gets the nod because he was so far ahead of his time, setting nine Southwest Conference passing records in a grind-it-out era. The Southwest Conference MVP and an All-American as a senior, Trull threw for 2,157 yards that year, which was Baylor’s school record for 23 years.

Running back: Walter Abercrombie (1978-81): A two-time consensus All-SWC star and one-time All-American, Abercrombie easily tops BU’s all-time rushing chart with 3,665 yards. His total of 1,187 rushing yards in 1980 still stands as the school’s single-season record.

Running back: Ronnie Bull (1959-61): A two-time All-American, Bull bull-rushed his way to the team rushing lead in each of his three seasons in Waco, which resulted in trips to the Gator and Gotham Bowls, respectively.

Wide receiver: Lawrence Elkins (1962-64): A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Elkins helped revolutionize the SWC with his pass-catching skills in the early 1960s. His 70 catches and 873 yards in 1963 were NCAA records at the time, and he twice earned consensus All-America recognition, the first Baylor player to do so.

Wide receiver: Gerald McNeil (1980-83): One of only two Bears (along with Reggie Newhouse) to register a 1,000-yard receiving season, McNeil ranks as the school’s all-time leader with 2,651 career yards. McNeil was an All-American and the Houston Post’s SWC MVP as a senior in ‘83.

Tight end: Ronnie Lee (1975-78): Lee, a two-time All-SWC tight end, proved to be a hard-nosed blocker who went on to a solid 13-year NFL career as a lineman.

Utility back: Del Shofner (1954-56): Sometimes statistics lie, but in Shofner’s case, they’re revealing. Basically, when he touched the ball, he chewed up big chunks of yardage, averaging more than 6 yards per rush, 16.5 on punt returns and 31 yards on interception runbacks.

Tackle: Mark Adickes (1979-83): Adickes cleared holes for the running of Abercrombie and Alfred Anderson, achieving consensus All-Southwest Conference and All-American accolades as a senior.

Tackle: James Ray Smith (1952-54): Smith twice earned All-America honors as a two-way tackle for the Bears before embarking on a successful NFL career with the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

Center: Aubrey Schulz (1973-74): Schulz served as a team captain on the 1974 Baylor squad that won eight games and the SWC title. He was honored as a unanimous all-SWC choice and All-American that season.

Guard: Barton “Botchey” Koch (1928-30): The first consensus All-American in SWC history, Koch is considered by college football historians to be the best lineman of his era. Legendary coaches D.X. Bible and Knute Rockne both labeled Koch the best guard they ever saw play, and he’s fittingly a member of both the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Guard: Bill Glass (1954-56): A consensus All-American and the SWC MVP in ‘56, Glass cleared a path for a Baylor team that went 9-2 and defeated Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl.

Kicker: David “Bubba” Hicks (1973-75): No Baylor kicker ever had a more powerful leg than Hicks, who holds the school record with a 60-yard field goal against Rice in ‘75. He also nailed kicks from 53 and 54 yards, respectively.

Return specialist: Willie Andrews (2002-05): Andrews didn’t run the ball or catch a pass in 2004, yet led Baylor in all-purpose yards, joining Trooper Taylor as the only Bears ever to pull off that feat. A two-time All-Big 12 performer, Andrews had more return yards on both punt returns (949) and kickoffs (1,647) than any other Baylor player.

DEFENSE

Defensive lineman: Charles Benson (1979-82): Benson was voted as a unanimous All-SWC selection three times, and was also an All-American as a senior. He piled up 263 tackles for his career, including a school-record 49 tackles for loss.

Defensive lineman: Ken Casner (1949-51): In Casner’s three years on the Baylor varsity, the Bears won 23 games and reached the 1952 Orange Bowl. He helped anchor the SWC’s top defense in ‘51, earning All-America recognition.

Defensive lineman: Santana Dotson (1988-91): A Lombardi Award finalist and unanimous All-American as a senior, Dotson was a beast in the trenches, amassing 12 sacks and 30 tackles for loss.

Defensive lineman: Roger Goree (1970-72): Goree was the first Baylor player under Grant Teaff to be named an All-American. The hard-hitting tackle was also the SWC’s MVP in ‘72, earning an invitation to play in the Coaches’ All-America Game.

Linebacker: James Francis (1986-89): Sports Illustrated once said that Francis batted down passes “as if he were King Kong swatting biplanes.” The SWC’s Player of the Year and an All-American in ‘89, Francis blocked a school-record 12 kicks and made 334 tackles, fifth-best all-time.

Linebacker: Derrel Luce (1972-74): Luce was recognized as a consensus All-SWC and All-American defender on Baylor’s 1974 SWC title team. He went on to play six years with three teams in the NFL.

Linebacker: Joe Pawelek (2006-present): The Big 12’s defensive newcomer of the year in 2006, Joe-Pa was even more sensational this year, putting together the best season by a Baylor defender since Francis. His six interceptions led all FBS linebackers and was Baylor’s highest total since 1991, and his 128 tackles were seventh in the nation.

Linebacker: Mike Singletary (1977-80): My choice as the best all-time player at Baylor, Singletary is the only Bear enshrined in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. A bullet in shoulder pads, Singletary made 662 tackles, nearly 300 more than any other BU player. The only three-time All-American in school history, Singletary twice won the Davey O’Brien Trophy before it became a quarterback-only award.

Defensive back: Robert Blackmon (1986-89): Blackmon made 226 career tackles and 14 interceptions, returning four for touchdowns. The safety was thrice selected to the All-SWC team and was honored as an All-American in ‘89.

Defensive back: Thomas Everett (1983-86): The best safety in school history, Everett was a two-time All-American and the 1986 Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s best defensive back. He was also voted the SWC’s Athlete of the Year for that school year, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Defensive back: Gary Green (1973-76): A consensus All-American in ’76, Green recorded seven interceptions for his career before being drafted 10th overall in the 1977 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Defensive back: Vann McElroy (1978-81): McElroy tallied 16 interceptions for his career, tying him with Mike Welch (1986-90) for Baylor’s school record. He was twice named a unanimous All-SWC first teamer and was an All-American as a senior.

Punter: Daniel Sepulveda (2003-06): The only two-time winner of the Ray Guy Award, Sepulveda holds virtually every Baylor punting record. He racked up more than 12,000 punting yards, booming his kicks for a 45.24-yard average.

Coach: Grant Teaff (1972-92): There’s a reason a statue of Teaff stands outside Floyd Casey Stadium. The winningest coach in school history, Teaff was 128-105-6 in his 21 seasons with eight bowl berths. Four other Teaff-led teams won six or more games but didn’t go bowling, given that there were fewer bowls in those days. His 1974 team may have been the most memorable, rallying from a 24-7 halftime deficit to beat Texas, 34-24, in a game that became known as the “Miracle on the Brazos.” The Bears emerged as SWC champions that year for the first time since 1924.

And if he were coaching this team, he wouldn’t even need to eat a worm to motivate them.

Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Baylor's all-time teams

Comments

By Gerry

January 15, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

I watched a lot of Baylor football in the 50’s and 60’s, attended the Quarterback Club meetings, knew some of the players. Too bad there is no film accessible for you to study so that you could see clearly the Larry Isbell was the best quarterback to wear the green and gold.

You are misled by statistics. John Bridgers ran a passing offense, threw it all the time. That is why Trull had such impressive passing stats. George Sauer ran a balanced offense with Isbell at the helm. He was an All-American, a great passer who led the nation in punting. But it was his sleight of hand trickery with the ball which made him so special. He often faked out the defense and the officials, the whistle would blow at the pile-up and Isbell would be running into the end zone with the ball on the opposite side of the field.

I appreciate your efforts in deciding which 22 players to choose. I would agree with you in most cases but “The Gator” was no Larry Isbell. You only see that kind of talent once in a lifetime.

By Benny Brott

January 16, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Isabell was before my time, but while I have certainly read of his ablility many times, “Gator” was very special in the early 60’s as was Lawerance Elkins.
Defensively, Joe David Jones (from Marlin) was probably the most overlooked defensive back in the nation. It was a privilege to have known and played with both of these two greats, and I thank God daily for being under the guidance of Coach John Bridgers during that time of my life. Sic Em Bears.

By Earl

January 23, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

These kinds of comparisons always come with a degree of sadness because there have been so many greats and near-greats. L. G. Dupre and Jerry Coody must not be overlooked.

By BU79

January 26, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Where is the SWC all time kick blocker, Max McGeary?

By jim

March 1, 2009 5:45 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

I think your list is a good one. I am not old enough to remember Del Shofner, but I am sure he is deserving as a utility back. I would like to plug one for Dennis Gentry as a utility back. He was a great utility back, with speed, running ability and great hands for catching the football. I am afraid he was overlooked because he was in the same backfield as Walter Abercrombie. My two cents.

By Mark

March 25, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Jim: I have to agree with you about Dennis Gentry. Not only did he have a lot a talent both running and catching the ball, but I remember a lot of first downs made on pure grit and want to. And a second, too, to Max McGeary being included. If nothing else, he should be listed as best special teams player.

By Dr. Jeff Schwartze

April 28, 2009 6:12 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

all of these choices are good but some people that were overlooked- RB-Jack Wilson, who played blind in one eye. K-Jeff Ireland S-Adrian Robinson WR-Ricky Thompson WR-Melvin Bonner QB-I am partial to J.J. Joe and Cody Carlson, because they willed wins, but I think in a few years Robert Griffin III, will have to be part of the conversation. All the QB’s mentioned are excellent choices. I would be remiss if I did not mention WJ Wimpee, named all conference by the Fort Worth Star Telegram and 3 time all conference in track, not to mention a Baylor icon as chaplain and executive assistant to President White, all around great human and also my grandfather. This is obviously a biased shout out but he was an accomplished athlete and 2nd round draft pick of the New York Giants and loved by the Baylor community.

By Ben

May 22, 2009 7:27 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Joe Pawalek should not be on the Greatest Team. I know you want to have a current player on it, but really…

Ray Berry should be on it. Period, end of story.

By Alan

August 13, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Responding to Dr. Schwartze’s suggestions, Jeff Ireland was a good kicker but I seem to remember more of the kicks he missed than the ones he made while at Baylor. Seems like “wide right” was a common occurrence in his day.

By Gary Short

September 20, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

The �Miracle on the Brazos� says it all. With Grant Teaff as coach, Neil Jeffrey as quarterback and Steve “The Roto-router” Beard as tailback miracles can happen. Jeffrey may not have had the physical gifts of some; but like Major Applewhite he was a winner. Steve Beard, like the story of the Bumble Bee that can’t theoretically fly; was on paper unremarkable, but in practice was formidable and inspirational. Few things in college football strike fear in the heart of defenses like a 5’6”, 175lbs., Anglo tailback whose legs are shorter than the other players arms. However, he shredded defense after defense. It was a beautiful thing to watch.

By T.G. Fisher

October 13, 2009 8:23 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

As a kid growing up in Waco I had a classmate named Tommy Athey whose brother, Bill Athey, played football for Baylor, circa 1950. The urban legend was that Bill had been named All-America. All the kids believed it because we wanted to. Now I find no reference to Bill Athey in all the All-America rolls. Any of you Baylorphiles who study Baylor’s football history remember Bill Athey?