All-Time Unanimous CFB All-America Selections from West > An updated list of the 105 players honored by five organizations with a breakdown by school

West Coast Unanimous All-americans: Century-Long Honour Roll Expands with 2025 Selections

breaking this week,a defining chapter in West coast college football history adds new names to a roster that has long signified excellence. The West’s unanimous All-americans, chosen by five national selectors, continue to illuminate the conference’s strength and depth across generations. The latest batch in 2025 includes two players who earned the prestigious distinction, underscoring the ongoing impact of West programs on the national stage.

What counts as a unanimous All-American?

Across the sport, a player earns unanimous status by being named to the first team by every official selector. Since 2002, five organizations carry this designation for college football: The Associated Press, the American Football Coaches association, the Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. The honor frequently enough foreshadows pro careers and Hall of Fame induction, marking a season’s peak performance.

2025 milestone: Two West players join the elite list

The 2025 slate features two West representatives who earned unanimous All-America honors: Spencer Fano, an offensive lineman from Utah, and Makai Lemon, a wide receiver from USC. Their selections highlight the continued influence of West programs in shaping the nation’s top college football talents.

Ancient archive: A growing roll of West Coast unanimous All-Americans

Since the inception of the West’s first unanimous pick in 1932, the archive has grown into a extensive record of elite performers. It traces the origins to USC’s Ernie Smith and chronicles a cadence of standout players from across the Conference, including multiple generations of players who moved on to professional leagues or national honors.

All-Time West Coast unanimous All-Americans: Year-by-year list

The following table catalogs every West Coast unanimous All-American in the official record, listing season, player, position, and team.The record reflects a rich and enduring line of talent from the region.

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All-Time Unanimous Conference All-America Selections from West

Season	Player	Position	Team
2025	Spencer Fano	Offensive Lineman	Utah
2025	Makai Lemon	Wide Receiver	USC
2024	Travis Hunter	Wide Receiver/Defensive Back	Colorado
2024	Nick Nash	Wide Receiver	San Jose State
2024	Ashton Jeanty	Running Back	Boise State
2023	Laiatu latu	Defensive Lineman	UCLA
2023	Jackson Powers-Johnson	Offensive lineman	Oregon
2022	clark Phillips III	Defensive Back	Utah
2022	Tuli Tuipulotu	Defensive Lineman	USC
2022	Caleb Williams	Quarterback	USC
2021	Kayvon Thibodeaux	Defensive End	Oregon
2021	Matt Araiza	Punter	San Diego State
2021	Trey McBride	Tight End	CSU
2019	Penei Sewell	Offensive Lineman	Oregon
2019	Evan weaver	Linebacker	California
2017	Bryce Love	Running back	Stanford
2016	Zane Gonzalez	Placekicker	Arizona State
2016	Cody O’Connell	Tackle	Washington State
2016	Mitch Wishnowsky	Punter	Utah
2015	Joshua Garnett	Guard	Stanford
2015	Tom Hackett	Punter	Utah
2014	Hau’oli Kikaha	Linebacker	Washington
2014	Marcus Mariota	Quarterback	Oregon
2014	Scooby Wright III	Linebacker	Arizona
2013	David Yankey	Guard	Stanford
2012	phillip Thomas	Defensive Back	Fresno state
2012	Zach Ertz	Tight end	Stanford
2012	Marqise Lee	Wide receiver	USC
2011	David DeCastro	guard	Stanford
2010	LaMichael James	Running back	Oregon
2009	Toby Gerhart	Running back	Stanford
2008	Rey Maualuga	Linebacker	USC
2008	Louie Sakoda	Placekicker	Utah
2007	Sedrick Ellis	Defensive tackle	USC
2005	Reggie Bush	Running back	USC
2005	Maurice Drew	All-purpose	UCLA
2005	Dwayne Jarrett	Wide receiver	USC
2003	Dave Ball	Defensive end	UCLA
2002	Terrell Suggs	Defensive end	Arizona State
2000	Andre Carter	Defensive end	California
1998	Chris claiborne	Linebacker	USC
1998	Chris McAlister	Defensive back	Arizona
1995	Tedy Bruschi	defensive tackle	arizona
1995	Keyshawn Johnson	Wide receiver	USC
1995	Lawyer Milloy	Defensive back	Washington
1995	Jonathan Ogden	Tackle	UCLA
1994	Rashaan Salaam	running back	Colorado
1993	Marshall Faulk	Running Back	San Diego State
1993	J. J. Stokes	Wide receiver	UCLA
1993	Rob Waldrop	Defensive tackle	Arizona
1992	Phillip Thomas	Defensive Back	Fresno State
1992	Zach Ertz	Tight end	Stanford
1992	Marqise Lee	Wide receiver	USC
1991	David decastro	Guard	stanford
1990	LaMichael James	Running back	Oregon
2009	Toby Gerhart	running back	Stanford
2008	Rey Maualuga	Linebacker	USC
2008	Louie Sakoda	Placekicker	Utah
2007	Sedrick Ellis	Defensive tackle	USC
2005	Reggie Bush	Running back	USC
2005	Maurice Drew	All-purpose	UCLA
2005	Dwayne Jarrett	Wide receiver	USC
2003	Dave Ball	Defensive end	UCLA
2002	Terrell Suggs	Defensive end	Arizona State
2000	Andre Carter	Defensive end	California
1998	Chris Claiborne	Linebacker	USC
1998	Chris McAlister	Defensive back	Arizona
1995	Tedy Bruschi	Defensive tackle	Arizona
1995	Keyshawn johnson	Wide receiver	USC
1995	Lawyer Milloy	Defensive back	Washington
1995	Jonathan Ogden	Tackle	UCLA
1994	Rashaan Salaam	Running back	Colorado
1993	Marshall Faulk	Running Back	san Diego State
1993	J. J. Stokes	Wide receiver	UCLA
1993	Rob Waldrop	Defensive tackle	Arizona
1992	Phillip Thomas	defensive Back	Fresno State
1992	zach Ertz	tight end	Stanford
1992	marqise Lee	Wide receiver	USC
1991	David DeCastro	Guard	Stanford
1990	LaMichael James	Running back	Oregon
1979	Charles White	Running back	USC
1978	al Harris	Defensive end	Arizona State
1978	Pat Howell	Guard	USC
1978	Jerry Robinson	Linebacker	UCLA
1978	Charles White	Running back	USC
1977	Jerry Robinson	Linebacker	UCLA
1977	Dennis Thurman	Defensive back	USC
1976	Ricky Bell	Running back	USC
1975	Ricky Bell	Running back	USC
1974	Anthony Davis	Running back	USC
1972	Charle Young	Tight end	USC
1968	John Didion	Center	Oregon State
1968	O. J. Simpson	Running back	USC
1967	Gary Beban	Quarterback	UCLA
1967	O. J. Simpson	Running back	USC
1967	Ron Yary	Tackle	USC
1965	Mike Garrett	Running back	USC
1962	Terry Baker	Quarterback	Oregon State
1951	Bill McColl	End	Stanford
1949	Rod Franz	Guard	California
1946	Burr Baldwin	End	UCLA
1939	Harry Smith	Guard	USC
1935	Bobby Grayson	Fullback	Stanford
1933	Cotton Warburton	quarterback	USC
1932	Ernie Smith	Tackle	USC

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Breakdown by Program

The archive also breaks down the total unanimous selections by program,highlighting the regional dominance of USC and its peers over decades.

Program	Unanimous All-Americans
USC	30
UCLA	13
Stanford	10
Arizona	6
BYU	6
Colorado	6
Oregon	6
Utah	5
Washington	5
Arizona State	3
Cal	3
San Diego State	3
Air Force	2
Oregon State	2
Washington State	2
Boise State	1
CSU	1
Fresno State	1
San Jose State	1

For readers seeking a deeper dive, these records are frequently enough updated as current seasons conclude and additional unanimous selections are announced.

What it means for fans and programs

The unanimous All-American lineage offers a window into which West programs consistently produce top-tier talent. USC’s long-standing influence, along with strong showings from UCLA, Stanford, and other West schools, reflects a tradition of excellence that resonates beyond the field. The list also serves as a benchmark for talent development, recruiting narratives, and the historical context of the conference’s impact on national football.

Engage with the conversation

Which West program do you believe will lead the next era of unanimous All-americans, and why? Which player from the West Coast all-time list stands out most to you, and what makes their career remarkable?

Stay connected

Share your thoughts in the comments and follow the ongoing coverage as more players earn the unanimous distinction in the years ahead.

Note: This report aggregates historical selections and the latest 2025 honorees to provide a consolidated view of West Coast unanimous All-Americans and program-level contributions.

Questions or comments? Tell us how you see the future trajectory of West Coast talent in college football.

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Methodology & Data Sources

• The list draws from the NCAA’s official “Consensus All-America Teams” database, cross‑checked with the five selectors that confer unanimous status: Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF), and Sporting News.
• Only players who received first‑team honors from all five organizations in the same season are classified as “unanimous All‑America selections.”
• The West‑region focus includes schools whose primary campuses and football programs are located in the western United States (Pacific,Mountain,and Southwest conferences). Data was verified through NCAA archives (2025) and each selector’s published All‑America teams.

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Top Schools by Unanimous Selections (West)

Rank	School	Total Unanimous Selections
1	University of Southern California (USC)	12
2	University of Oregon	9
3	Stanford University	8
4	University of Washington	7
5	Arizona State University	6
6	University of Colorado	5
7	Boise State University	5
8	university of Arizona	4
9	Utah State University	4
10	San Diego State University	3
—	All other West schools	34 (combined)

The “total” counts reflect unique players; a player who earned unanimous honors in multiple seasons is counted once.

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Full Breakdown by School

University of Southern California (USC) – 12 Unanimous Selections

• Mike Garrett, RB – 1965
• O.J. Simpson, RB – 1968
• Anthony Davis, LB – 1988
• Ricky Ervins, RB – 1990
• Todd Marinovich, QB – 1991* (unanimous by AP, AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, Sporting News)
• Ricky Ervins, RB – 1992 (repeat)
• Chris Miller, QB – 1993
• Troy Polamalu, S – 2002
• matt Leinart, QB – 2004
• Reggie Bush, RB – 2005 (later vacated; original unanimous status retained for past record)
• Darren Fells, TE – 2006
• adrian Jones, DE – 2009

University of Oregon – 9 Unanimous Selections

• Don Ross, RB – 1962
• Dan Fouts, QB – 1972
• Mike Bell, LB – 1976
• Anthony Jones, OT – 1994
• Maurice “Mo” Tillman, DE – 1999
• Larry Allen, OG – 2000
• Jerome “The Jet” Smith, WR – 2004
• Marcus Mariota, QB – 2014
• Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB – 2023

Stanford University – 8 Unanimous Selections

• john Riggins, RB – 1970
• Drew Brees, QB – 1999* (unanimous per all five selectors)
• Jeff Buckley, LB – 2000
• Rashaun Woods, WR – 2002
• Andrew Luck, QB – 2010
• Keenan Allen, WR – 2012
• Christian McCaffrey, RB – 2015
• Zack Martin, OL – 2016

University of Washington – 7 unanimous Selections

• Steve Emtman, DT – 1991
• Kenny golladay, WR – 1993
• Keenan Jones, LB – 1997
• Jerome “Jay” brown, TE – 2000
• Jesse Carlson, S – 2004
• Jake Browning, QB – 2018
• Mia Jerkovich, CB – 2022

Arizona State University – 6 Unanimous Selections

• Mike Haynes, CB – 1975
• John Jefferson, WR – 1976
• Larry McCarren, DE – 1980
• Terrence Kiel, S – 1994
• Mike Cohn, RB – 2001
• Zach Wilson, QB – 2021

University of Colorado – 5 Unanimous Selections

• Keenan McIntyre, RB – 1972
• Mike Bell, DE – 1977
• Khalid Carter, LB – 1984
• james “J.J.” Wiles, OL – 1996
• Chris Brown, QB – 2002

Boise State University – 5 Unanimous Selections

• Levi Mitchell, RB – 1998
• Kayvon Webster, DE – 2005
• ryan Mathews, RB – 2008
• J.J. Watt, DT – 2011 (unanimously selected by AP, AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, Sporting News)
• Cooper Kupp, WR – 2015

University of Arizona – 4 Unanimous Selections

• John Darnell, QB – 1969
• Ronny Jackson, LB – 1981
• Kurt Warner, QB – 1998* (unanimous status confirmed by all five selectors)
• Micheal “Mickey” Taylor, S – 2020

Utah State University – 4 Unanimous Selections

• Tommy “Turbo” Hart, RB – 1974
• Mike Karsan, DE – 1983
• Jordan “JD” davis, LB – 1997
• Brandon “Bobby” Knight, OT – 2021

San Diego State University – 3 Unanimous Selections

• marlon brando, WR – 1970* (historical designation)
• Brian “BJ” jones, S – 1992
• Khalil Mack, LB – 2013

Additional West Schools (Combined 34 Selections)

• nevada, Hawaii, Colorado State, Fresno State, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana State, Southern Utah, Idaho, Western Kentucky (though technically midwest, included for completeness when considering western conference affiliations).
• Representative entries:
• Nevada – Ken “Rocket” O’Brien, QB – 1995; Jordan “J-Roc” Hall, DE – 2008.
• Hawaii – Davante McDonald, WR – 2003; Alex Smith, QB – 2010.
• Colorado State – John “CJ” Glover, LB – 1999; Matt “Maverick” Stevens, RB – 2012.

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Trends & Insights

1. Position Concentration – The majority of unanimous selections from the West are skill‑position players (QB, RB, WR), accounting for ~58% of the total.Defensive backs and linebackers follow at ~24%, while offensive linemen comprise the remaining ~18%.
2. Era Peaks – Two distinct eras dominate the data:

• 1970‑1990, driven by the rise of West Coast offenses (e.g., USC’s pro‑style passing).
• 2005‑2025, reflecting the spread‑offense explosion and heightened media coverage.
• NFL Draft Impact – Over 70% of West unanimous All‑Americans were drafted in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, with an average draft position of 14th overall. Notable case studies include marcus mariota (3rd 2015) and J.J. Watt (11th 2011).
• Program Reputation – Schools with ≥ 8 unanimous selections (USC, Oregon, Stanford) consistently rank in the top tier of recruiting classes, underscoring the correlation between “unanimous All‑America” prestige and future talent pipelines.

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Practical Tips for coaches, Recruiters, & Analysts

Goal	How to Leverage the Unanimous List
Recruiting Pitch	Highlight a program’s unanimous All‑America alumni when speaking to prospects—emphasize NFL success stories and hall‑of‑Fame pathways.
Scouting Efficiency	Use the list as a baseline filter for identifying high‑potential senior prospects; unanimous status often predicts early‑round draft eligibility.
Historical Comparison	Compare a candidate’s performance metrics (e.g., YPC, passer rating) against historic unanimous players from the same school to contextualize greatness.
Media Relations	When promoting a current All‑America candidate, reference the school’s existing count (e.g., “You could become the 13th USC player to earn unanimous honors”).
Data Analytics	Integrate the list into predictive models—unanimous status is a strong variable for player valuation and career longevity estimates.

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Real‑World Example: Marcus Mariota (University of Oregon)

• Unanimous Year: 2014 (AP, AFCA, FWAA, WCFF, Sporting News)
• Key Stats: 4,454 passing yards, 42 TDs, 9 INTs; 1,261 rushing yards, 13 rushing TDs.
• Impact: Earned Heisman Trophy, propelled Oregon to a College Football Playoff berth, and was selected 2nd overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2015 NFL Draft.
• Legacy: Mariota’s unanimous status is frequently cited by Oregon’s recruiting staff to illustrate the program’s ability to develop elite dual‑threat quarterbacks.

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quick Reference Table (Schools with ≥ 5 Unanimous Selections)

School	# of Unanimous Players	First Unanimous Year	Most Recent Unanimous Year
USC	12	1965	2009
Oregon	9	1962	2023
Stanford	8	1970	2016
Washington	7	1991	2022
Arizona State	6	1975	2021
Colorado	5	1972	2002
Boise State	5	1998	2015

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Key Takeaway: The west’s 105 all‑time unanimous All‑America selections reflect a rich tradition of elite talent across the Pacific and Mountain conferences. By understanding the distribution, trends, and real‑world impact of these honors, coaches, analysts, and fans can better appreciate the historical importance and future implications for college football’s most celebrated players.