NFL's All-Time Non-BCS Team

The NFL often seems to amass a collection of transcendental talent from a select number of feeder schools: Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma are the traditional collegiate powers who seem to get their names mentioned most frequently by players introducing themselves before the first drive of the game.

However, there are a select group of players who fulfill their NFL fantasies despite coming from less-prestigious (football) schools such as San Jose State, Nevada, Delaware, etc. that are Division I non-BCS or FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) programs.

This list will honor the greatest of these players. The team will be comprised of a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, the regular five offensive linemen and a 4-3 defense, consisting of four defensive linemen, three linebackers and a secondary.

If a player played on a team that was formerly not a BCS conference team, but now is, or has made plans to in the near future (TCU joining the Big East), those players will not be eligible. This list is comprised of players from teams currently not in BCS conferences or planning to join one at the current time.

And here we go.

Quarterback: Brett Favre, Southern Mississippi

As if there would be anyone else.

He's the leader in career touchdown passes, career passing yards, career completions, consecutive games played and has captivated national audiences for years now with his on-the-fence, will he-won't he play next season indecisiveness.

Need any other reasons?

Running Back No. 1: Walter Payton, Jackson State

In 13 seasons, Sweetness rushed for a former NFL all-time record 16,726 yards, despite only leading the league in rushing once during his illustrious career.

Payton also proved himself to be a capable receiving threat, catching 492 passes for 4,538 yards during his career.

And if you ever needed a trick play run, Payton completed 11 passes in his career, eight of them for touchdowns.

Not too shabby.

Running Back No. 2: Eric Dickerson, Southern Methodist University

The single-season rushing yards leader is the second running back.

Now an also-ran, Southern Methodist was a national power when Dickerson was running the football for them every Saturday.

In 1984, just his second season in the NFL, Dickerson rushed for 2,105 yards, a mark that has been chased, but never topped since.

In just under 11 seasons in the league, Dickerson rushed for 13,259 yards and 90 touchdowns. He also caught 281 passes for 2,137 yards more and threw a touchdown pass.

Wide Receiver No. 1: Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State

Perhaps the greatest player of all-time, Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is an easy choice for the No. 1 wide receiver.

In 20 seasons in the league, Rice caught 1,549 passes for 22,895 yards, both NFL records that seem certain to withstand the tests of time (see http://bleacherreport.com/articles/791921-the-most-unbreakable-records-in-each-of-the-4-major-sports).

He also set the NFL record for most receiving touchdowns with 197 and most total touchdowns with 208. 

Wide Receiver No. 2: Terrell Owens, Tennessee-Chattanooga

One of the most controversial figures in NFL history, Terrell Owens is the No. 2 wideout.

A relative unknown coming out of college, TO has carved out a lengthy, productive career.

T.O.'s 1,078 career receptions and 15,934 receiving yards put him fifth and second on the respective all-time lists. His 156 career touchdowns put him fourth all-time in that category as well.

Wide Receiver No. 3: Isaac Bruce, Memphis State (now Memphis)

One of the main attractions of "The Greatest Show on Turf"—those high-scoring St. Louis Rams sides of the early millennium—Isaac Bruce is the third and final receiver.

In 16 seasons in the league, Bruce caught 1,024 passes for 15,208 yards and 91 touchdowns, good enough to rank seventh, third and ninth in their respective categories.

Bruce edges out Randy Moss for the final spot due to his stats, his longevity and his behavior on and off the field.

Offensive Lineman No. 1: Willie Roaf, Louisiana Tech

Offensive linemen from non-BCS schools are a bit harder to come by then skill position players, but Willie Roaf is the best of that bunch.

13 seasons, 11 Pro Bowls, six-time First Team All-Pro, a member of the 1990 and 2000 All-Decade Team.

His stats speak for themselves. This guy was a once-in-a-generation type player.

Offensive Lineman No. 2: Roosevelt Brown, Morgan State

A man drafted by the Giants after they noticed him in a newspaper in 1952 (I'm not kidding), Brown is the No. 2 Lineman on this team.

In 13 seasons, Brown made nine Pro Bowl teams, made the 1950's All-Decade team, won the 1956 NFL Championship and made the league's 75th Anniversary Team.

Offensive Lineman No. 3: Gene Upshaw, Texas A&I University

The former Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, Gene Upshaw is the third offensive lineman.

Upshaw was a six-time Pro Bowler, a three-time First Team All-Pro, a member of the 1970's All-Decade Team, a fellow member of Roosevelt Brown's on the 75th Anniversary team and a two-time Super Bowl Champion.

Offensive Lineman No. 4: Art Shell, Maryland Eastern Shore

Yes, there is an actual Maryland Eastern Shore, and yes, one of their graduates is an all-time great. 

In 12 seasons as a starter, Shell made eight Pro Bowls, was named to three All-Pro First Teams and was named to the 1970's All-Decade team.

For a guy who didn't start during his first three seasons in the league, that's a damned good career, wouldn't you say?

Offensive Lineman No. 5: Larry Allen, Sonoma State

Arguably the strongest player in NFL history, Allen is the fifth and final offensive lineman in this prestigious group.

11 Pro Bowls, six All-Pro First Teams and nominated to the 1990s and 2000s All-Decade teams after 14 seasons as a professional

Again, enough said.

Defensive End No. 1: Michael Strahan, Texas Southern

The most lovable Right Guard promo guy in history—with that iconic gap in his top row of teeth—is the first of the defensive linemen.

In 15 seasons, Strahan recorded 141.5 sacks and holds the NFL single-season record with 22.5. Strahan was named to seven Pro Bowls and four All-Pro First Teams and was a member of the the 2000's All-Decade team.

Defensive End No. 2: Richard Dent, Tennessee State

One of the few defensive players in league history to win Super Bowl MVP honors, Dent is the other defensive lineman. 

In 15 seasons, Dent recorded 137.5 sacks. For his efforts, he made four Pro Bowls in his career.

Defensive Tackle No. 1: Merlin Olsen, Utah State

As renowned for his NFL career as he is for his acting, Merlin Olsen is the first defensive tackle on this team.

Olsen made the Pro Bowl in 14 of his 15 seasons in the league and was a six-time First Team All-Pro. He was named to the 1960's and 1970's All-Decade teams, as well as the 75th Anniversary Team.

Defensive Lineman No. 2: "Mean" Joe Greene, North Texas

The man who encouraged us all to have a coke and a smile is the second defensive lineman. 

13 seasons, 10 Pro Bowls, five First Team All-Pro selections, four Super Bowl wins, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the 1970's All-Decade Team and the 75th Anniversary Team. 

He wasn't called "mean" for nothing. That's quite a CV.

Linebacker No. 1: Jack Lambert, Kent State

The man with the most terrifying gap in his teeth in NFL history, Jack Lambert is the first linebacker on the team. 

In 11 seasons, Lambert made nine Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro First Teams, won four Super Bowls, made the 1970's and 1980's All-Decade teams and was named to the 75th Anniversary team. 

Linebacker No. 2: DeMarcus Ware, Troy

Despite being in the league for just six seasons, Ware has already recorded 80.0 sacks, including 20.0 sacks during the 2008 season. 

Ware has made four straight Pro Bowls, three All-Pro First Teams, won an NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and made the 2000's All-Decade team.

Linebacker No. 3: Greg Lloyd Sr., Fort Valley State

For those of you wondering, Fort Valley is in Georgia.

In 12 NFL seasons, Lloyd made five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro First Teams, recording 54.5 sacks during his illustrious career.

Cornerback No. 1: Dick Lane, Scottsbluff Junior College

If you can't find this college online anywhere, it's because it it the now, much more intimidating Western Nebraska Community College.

Imagine you're 24 years old, you're working at an aircraft factory. You quit your job and you decide to join an NFL team. It's as inspiring a story as Kurt Warner's.

Now flash forward 14 years. You've just had a 14-year career where you were named to seven Pro Bowls, six All-Pro 1st teams, the 1950's All-decade team and the 75th Anniversary Team.

Cornerback No. 2: Mel Blount, Southern University

The pride of Vidalia, Georgia, Blount is the second defensive back.

In 14 seasons in the league, Blount made five Pro Bowls, four All-Pro First Teams, won four Super Bowls, won an NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and was a member of the 1980's NFL All-Decade team and the 75th Anniversary Team.

Safety No. 1: Ken Houston, Prairie View A&M

It's amazing to think that this guy started out as a center.

In 14 seasons in the league, Houston made 12 Pro Bowls, the 1970's All-Decade Team and the 75th Anniversary Team.

Safety No. 2: Jack Christiansen, Colorado State

From Sublette, Kansas, Christiansen is the second safety on the team.

Christiansen only played eight seasons, but he still made five Pro Bowls and six All-Pro First Teams and was named to the 1950's All-Decade team.

Kicker: Adam Vinatieri, South Dakota State

Born in Yankton, South Dakota, this undrafted former Hall-of-Famer is this team's kicker.

Considered the most clutch kicker of all-time, Vinatieri has made two Pro Bowls, two All-Pro teams, won four Super Bowls and was named to the 2000's NFL All-Decade team in his 16 seasons in the league.

Punter: Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi

The list started with a Southern Miss great, and it'll end with a fellow Golden Eagle.

Guy kicked his punts so high, the balls he kicked were once tested to see if there was helium in them.

In 14 seasons, Guy made seven Pro Bowls, six All-Pro First Teams, won three Super Bowls, made the 1970's All-Decade Team and was named to the 75th Anniversary team.

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