Deseret NewsThe Football Writers Association of America on Thursday announced its 75th Anniversary All-America team and two players from Utah made it.
Gordon Hudson, BYUs tight end from 1981-83, was a consensus All-America in 82 and 83. He was voted the FWAA third-team quarterback, behind Oklahomas Keith Jackson and Pittsburghs Mike Ditka.
Utah State defensive tackle Merlin Olsen was voted to the second team, behind Lee Roy Selmon of Oklahoma and ahead of Washingtons Steve Emtman.
This stirred a couple of thoughts. First is that the University of Utah is the biggest story and likely the best overall college team in Utah since joining the Pac-12. It has produced plenty of all-Americas and a lot of professional players. But its history is relatively short.
My second thought is that a BYU quarterback should have made the top three. The FWAA lists Roger Staubach of Navy, Tim Tebow of Florida and Tommie Frazier of Nebraska as the best quarterbacks in history. I have to figure Steve Young or Ty Detmer belong in the top three. On a purely subjective basis, I'd pick Jim McMahon as one of the three best.
I understand Tebow was a dual threat. And that Staubach was a great passer. But Tommy Frazier? The voters must have been in the moment, looking for dual threat signal-callers. Frazier was a nice rusher but his career completion percentage was just 49.5.
At any rate, I respect the process. The writers included such old school players as Doak Walker and Chuck Bednarik. That gives them credibility. However, I have a hard time imagining none of the BYU quarterbacks made the cut.
But I cant complain. I let my membership in the FWAA lapse years ago.
Its like not voting and then blaming the politicians.