CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Current Atlantic Coast Conference football members had 12 former Associated Press (AP) All-Americans named to the Associated Press (AP) All-Time All-America Team, as part of the news organization’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the storied honor for the top players in college football.
 
Pitt placed three players on the AP All-Time All-America First Team, tying with Ohio State for the most from one school.
 
The 12 honorees from current ACC schools include nine members of the National Football Foundation (NFF) College Football Hall of Fame, five recipients of ACC Football Legend honors, and two standouts named to the ACC 50th Anniversary Team in 2003.
 
Since 1925, nearly 2,000 men have been named AP First-Team All-Americans, one of the most prestigious honors in the sport.
 
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.
 
To be eligible for the AP All-Time All-America Team, a player had to have been named an AP First-Team All-American at least once during his college career. The selection process did not consider a player's professional career. Additionally, players were only considered for the side of the ball where they earned First-Team All-America honors, with the exception that all-purpose players could be selected from any position.
 
ACC Teams with Players Named to All-Time AP All-America Team
First-Team Offense
WR – Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt (2003)
OT – Bill Fralic, Pitt (1982-83-84)
PK – Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State (1998-99)
 
First-Team Defense
DE – Hugh Green, Pitt (1978-79-80)
CB – Deion Sanders, Florida State (1987-88)
S – Ed Reed, Miami (2000-01)
 
Second-Team Offense
OT – Bryant McKinnie, Miami (2001)
RB – Tony Dorsett, Pitt (1976)
 
Second-Team Defense
DE – Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech (1984)
DT – Warren Sapp, Miami (1994)
LB – Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina (1980)
S – Bennie Blades, Miami (1986-87)
 
*Maryland’s Randy White (DE), an AP All-America First-Team selection in 1974, was named to the First-Team Defense. White was named an ACC Football Legend in 2006 and is a member of the ACC 50th Anniversary Team, as Maryland was part of the ACC from 1953 to 2014.