I am a CU fan but trying to remain very unbiased. However you look at it, CU has had 3x as many NFL players as all other Colorado schools combined. CSU has had some quality players and there are some toss-ups that I wouldn't want to decide, but for the most part it isn't close. Here's my 1st and 2nd Team All-Colorado Top College with my Top 50 of all-time at the end.
1st Team-Offense
QB-Kordell Stewart (CU): CSU has had a few guys make the NFL from the QB position, but none was as successful in college and the pros as Stewart.
RB-Rashaan Salaam (CU): If we were going pro career as well I would go with who I put on the 2nd team
FB-Steve Bartalo (CSU): Can't disagree with his numbers and his solid production after.
WR1-Cliff Branch (CU): Speed that Oakland loved for many years. #1 hands down if he doesn't play in such a run heavy offense.
WR2-Michael Westbrook (CU): Strength, speed and numbers in college and beyond were impressive. He made Stewart better.
TE-Daniel Graham (CU): This is a tough pick for me. Dreessen is a close 2nd but Graham was an AA.
T- Stan Brock (CU): Long NFL Career , but Tackle is a weak position.
G- Joe Romig (CU): 2x All American. Tough to beat that
C-Jay Leeuwenberg (CU): Good NFL career but after anchoring some great Buffs teams
G-Chris Naeole (CU): Highest G pick for many years. Was a mauler.
T-Brock Strom (AFA): Was an All American and in College Football HOF. Tackle has had some good players, but not great in the local college history.
1st Team-Defense (3-4)
DT-Fum McGraw (CSU): All Pro and College HOF
N-Joel Steed (CU): I coached at Hinkley and have respect for this name, but he had a successful NFL career and was the defensive anchor.
DE-Mike Bell (CSU): Many year career in NFL.
OLB-Joey Porter(CSU): This is close but Poter's NFL career edges him over others on 2nd team
ILB-Greg Biekert (CU): Long NFL career and great player
ILB-Ted Johnson (CU): I forgot why I picked him (concussion issues)
OLB-Alfred Williams (CU): Best player on defense by far
CB-Deon Figures (CU): Absolutely amazing shutdown corner in college
CB-Mark Haynes (CU)Greg Myers (CSU): Both long NFL corner w/ 3 Pro Bowls
S-Chris Hudson (CU): Played both Corner and Safety, very versatile
S-Dick Anderson (CU): All American, College Football HOF
1st/2nd Team-Special Teams
P-Tom Rouen, Barry Helton, Mitch Berger and Mark Mariscal (CU) and :Yes Rouen played at CSU for a year but he was a Buff grad. All of these guys earned top honors at their positions.
K-Mason Crosby (CU): Best player hands down at his position in Colorado History. Not even worth mentioning another name.
KR-Dexter Wynn (CSU): Electric on KRs and played in the pros for a little because of it. Cliff Branch (CU) and Ben Kelly (CU)
PR-Cliff Branch (CU): Think if he would have had 4 years at CU instead of 2?!
Roman Holowell (CU): The idiot homers will say Jeremy Bloom but Roman was far more electric and has the numbers to prove it. I would have liked to see Bloom actually devote himself to improving in football and not isolating himself from his teammates. Bloom is #3.
2nd Team-Offense
QB-Darian Hagan (CU): All the CSU fans are wondering where their boy VanMullet/Sunshine is and I have to say, what warrants him being a top QB on these lists?
RB-Eric Bienemy (CU)/Lawrence McCutcheon (CSU)/Byron Whizzer White (CU): All of these guys had solid pro careers. All were great college players. I give Bienemy the edge in college due to being the heart and soul of CUs 1990 Championship team.
FB-Lawrence Vickers (CU): Could have gone JJ Flanagan but Vickers destroyed people as a fullback and was a threat with the ball as much as Flanagan. He also has had a solid NFL career.
WR1-Mike Pritchard (CU): Athletic. Played RB when the Buffs had injury issues and rushed for over 100 yards. Made amazing catches. Impressive.
WR2-Rae Carruth (CU): The human mind can make some horrific decisions. He was an amazing college player and was a solid pro. He doesn't deserve his release date in the next couple years.
TE-Christian Fauria (CU)/Joel Dreessen (CSU): These players were identical college and pro players. I won't let my bias choose.
T-Morgan Pears (CSU): He was better than his brother, hands down
G-Andre Gurode (CU): Played most of college at G. Was an absolute beast when lined up next to Victor Rogers. Leader of that great 2001 CU team.
C-Bryan Stoltenberg (CU): Another CU AA
G-Joe Garten (CU):
T-Nate Solder (CU): Developed into one of best OT the state has ever seen after starting as a big TE.
2nd Team-Defense (3-4)
DT- Chad Hennings (AFA)/Sean Moran (CSU): Solid NFL career. Justin Banaan would be an alternate here. Didn't have great pass rush numbers but being a force in the middle earned him millions in the pros.
N-Terry Unrein (CSU)
DE-Brady Smith (CSU)/Ernie Jennings (AFA)
OLB-Chad Brown (CU): Long NFL career, great CU career but there have been plenty of other amazing Buffs
ILB-Matt Russell (CU): Leader on the teams he played for. All over the field play maker.
ILB-Jordon Dizon (CU): Great in college game but just too undersized to not get hurt in pros. His sideline to sideline speed was amazing to watch.
OLB-Clark Haggans (CSU)/Kanvis McGee (CU): McGee played with best player in Colorado football history. Haggans was great in college and pros. Toss-Up so it's a tie.
CB-Cullen Bryant (CU)
CB-Cullen Bryant (CU)
S-Gary Glick (CSU)
S-Jack Christiansen (CSU)
Honorable mentions are in the Top 50.
Top 50 All-Time Colorado Colleges Greats
- Alfred Williams-CU
- Rashan Salaam-CU
- Dick Anderson-CU
- Eric Bienemy-CU
- Byron "Whizzer" White-CU
- Kordell Stewart-CU
- Michael Westbrook-CU
- Thurman "Fum" McGraw-CSU
- Darian Hagan-CU
- Matt Russell-CU
- Greg Myers-CSU
- Cliff Branch-CU
- Mike Pritchard-CU
- Joe Garten-CU
- Chris Naeole-CU
- Chris Hudson-CU
- Jack Christiansen-CSU
- Mike Bell-CSU
- Deon Figures-CU
- Kanavis McGhee-CU
- Chad Brown-CU
- Greg Biekert-CU
- Ted Johnson-CU
- Steve Bartalo-CSU
- Daniel Graham-CU
- Joey Porter-CSU
- Joe Romig-CU
- Gary Glick-CSU
- Dave Logan-CU
- Clark Haggans-CSU
- Ty Detmer-CU
- Dutch Clark-CC
- Bradlee VanPelt-CSU
- Stan Brock-CU
- Brock Strom-CSU
- Chad Hennings-CU
- Joel Steed-CU
- Sean Moran-CSU
- Dexter Wynn-CSU
- Joel Dreessen-CSU
- Jay Leeuwenberg-CU
- Andre Gurode-CU
- Moses Moreno-CSU
- Lawrence McCutcheon-CSU
- Vincent Jackson-UNC
- Ben Kelly-CU
- Rae Carruth-CU
- Bobby Anderson-CU
- Mason Crosby-CU
- Tom Rouen-CU/CSU
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