Ex-College Hoopers For Football Playoff National Championship Participants

December 30th, 2022 - 12:26

In an era of specialization, two-way athletes are becoming a dying breed. In the "good old days," a striking number of athletes participated in both college basketball and football. Amid this multi-sport mosaic, sports history buffs might want to know football players who also played hoops for the following four participants in this year's College Football Playoff National Championship:

GEORGIA

FB-BKB Player Summary of Football Career Summary of Basketball Career
Joe Bennett Four-year starter at T and captain of football team in 1923. Three-year basketball letterman from 1922 through 1924.
Larry Brown TE played eight games with the Tennessee Titans in 1999. First-team All-SEC selection in 1998 when he caught 31 passes, including one for 68 yards. Football teammate of Champ Bailey and Hines Ward managed three pass receptions in the 1998 Peach Bowl against Virginia. The 6-5, 250-pound F averaged 6.3 ppg and 4.2 rpg as an occasional starter for the Bulldogs' 1998 NIT team. The previous year, he averaged 4.6 ppg and 3.3 rpg while shooting a team-high 60.3% from the floor for their 24-9 NCAA playoff squad coached by Tubby Smith. He scored the winning basket with three seconds remaining in Georgia's 1997 SEC Tournament quarterfinal victory over Arkansas after supplying 18 points in an earlier game against league regular-season champion South Carolina. Played against eventual NCAA runner-up Syracuse in a West Regional semifinal overtime game.
John Carson E caught 173 passes for 2,591 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Washington Redskins and Houston Oilers in seven years from 1954 through 1960. He was a 15th-round draft choice by Cleveland in 1953 after leading the SEC in receiving in back-to-back seasons. The 6-3, 200-pounder was a basketball letterman for the Bulldogs in 1951-52 and 1952-53 (7.4 ppg in eight games). He was Georgia's first four-letter winner (also baseball and golf).
Terrence Edwards Set SEC career standard with 3,093 yards receiving by catching a school-record 204 passes (including 30 for touchdowns). Brother of former Bulldogs All-American TB Robert Edwards signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2003 and caught one pass in six games. Collected 26 points and 14 rebounds in 14 basketball games the second half of the 1998-99 season as a freshman.
Bobby Etter PK made 26 field goals and converted 50-of-52 extra points for the Atlanta Falcons in 1968 and 1969 (Pro Bowl selection) before playing for the WFL's Memphis Southmen in the mid-1970s. SEC's leading scorer in 1966 with 57 points and team leader with 46 in 1965 under coach Vince Dooley. Returned a low snap for decisive five-yard TD run in 14-7 win against ninth-ranked Florida in 1964. The next year, he kicked three vital FGs in a memorable 15-7 win at Michigan between pair of Top 10 teams. Collected 10 points and five rebounds in total of 11 basketball games in 1964-65 and 1965-66. College professor became a national champion bridge player.
Tony Flanagan First African-American QB for the Bulldogs in the mid-1970s. Averaged more than 10 ppg each of the first three seasons of his basketball career that lasted from 1974-75 through 1977-78.
Fred Gibson Fourth-round NFL draft choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005 joined the Miami Dolphins in 2006 and St. Louis Rams in 2007. Returned a kickoff for 91 yards and a touchdown against Clemson the first time he touched the ball as a college sophomore and was the second-leading receiver the next season (43 catches for 758 yards and four TDs) with 2002 team that compiled the Bulldogs' first 13-win season, first SEC title in 20 years, a Sugar Bowl victory over Florida State and a final national ranking of #3 (highest since 1980). As a freshman FL, he became the first Georgia player ever to have four consecutive 100-yard games in receiving. Caught two first-quarter TD passes against Purdue in a 34-27 overtime victory in First Capital One Bowl following the 2003 campaign. Instrumental in helping GA post three straight seasons of 10 or more victories, three consecutive bowl victories and three national top six rankings in a row. Received All-SEC first-team honors as a senior when he hauled in career-high 49 receptions. The 6-4, 200-pounder averaged 4.9 ppg in 18 basketball contests in 2001-02 before appearing in four games the next year. He scored 13 points at Florida, including six in the final 51 seconds. Gibson played in two NCAA playoff games. He played in the NBA Developmental League in 2008 and 2009.
Gene Lorendo WR caught 22 passes for 440 yards and one touchdown in 1948 for Orange Bowl-bound team. Chosen in 11th round by the Green Bay Packers in 1950 NFL draft. Scored 71 points for basketball squad in 1947-48 before playing briefly the next season.
Tony "Zippy" Morocco Led the Bulldogs in receiving in 1950 when he was Co-MVP in the Presidential Cup bowl game in College Park, Md. Paced them in scoring with six touchdowns in 1951 catching passes from Zeke Bratkowski. Team leader in punt and kickoff returns each year had a 90-yard punt return against Furman. Played in North-South Shrine game before becoming the Philadelphia Eagles' 29th-round draft choice in 1952. Three-year letterman was basketball captain in 1952-53 when earning All-SEC first-team acclaim (23.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg). Scored a career-high 38 points against Tennessee before being selected by the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1953 NBA draft.
Quentin Moses DE had 91 solo tackles and 25 sacks with GA football squads posting a 40-12 record from 2003 through 2006, three straight seasons of 10 or more wins, three bowl victories and three consecutive national Top 10 finishes. All-SEC first-team selection as senior was picked by the Oakland Raiders in third round of 2007 NFL draft. Highest-drafted player that year not to earn spot on opening-day roster also played OLB in the league with Miami Dolphins from 2007 through 2010. The 6-5 Moses played in three basketball games for the Bulldogs in 2002-03 under coach Jim Harrick.
Ulysses Norris TE for seven seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions (1979 through 1983) and Buffalo Bills (1984 and 1985). The 6-4, 230-pounder was a fourth-round draft choice. Best pro season was his final one with the Lions in 1983 when he caught 26 passes for 291 yards and seven touchdowns. He had six TD receptions with the Bulldogs from 1976 through 1978. Hit 8-of-14 field-goal attempts and grabbed 31 rebounds in nine games for the Bulldogs in 1975-76.
Jay Rome TE caught 38 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns with the Bulldogs from 2012 through 2015. The Pittsburgh Steelers waived rookie undrafted free agent from IR with injury settlement. The 6-6, 255-pounder collected three points and seven rebounds in seven basketball games as a freshman in 2011-12.
Vernon "Catfish" Smith Member of College Football Hall of Fame was a consensus All-American end as a senior in 1931. Scored all of Georgia's points and was a standout on defense in a shocking 15-0 upset of Yale in his sophomore season. Three-year basketball letterman was senior captain and starting C on Bulldogs team that defeated Duke in the semifinals and North Carolina in the final to win the 1932 Southern Conference Tournament. Named to second five on the all-tourney team.

MICHIGAN

FB-BKB Player Summary of Football Career Summary of Basketball Career
Pete "Bump" Elliott Executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame earned All-American honors as a QB for the Wolverines' 1948 national champion. Big Ten Conference MVP led Michigan to a 49-0 victory over USC in the 1948 Rose Bowl. Former head coach at Nebraska (4-6 record in 1956), California (10-21 from 1957 through 1959) and Illinois (1960 through 1966) led Cal and the Illini to Rose Bowl berths. A four-year starter as a 6-0, 190-pound guard on Michigan teams from 1945-46 through 1948-49. Captain of squad as a sophomore and member of Big Ten championship team in 1947-48. First-team all-conference choice as a junior and second-team selection as a senior. Second-team pick on Helms All-American team in 1947-48 when he scored a team-high 15 points in Michigan's first NCAA Tournament victory, a 66-49 decision over Columbia in the Eastern Regional third-place game. Excerpt from school guide: "At times his defensive work was almost uncanny as he held high-scoring opposition practically scoreless in several games. Outstanding at recovering rebounds."
Kelvin Grady Slot receiver had a brother, Kevin, who was a running back for the Wolverines. On October 17, 2009, they became the first pair of brothers to score a touchdown in the same game for Michigan as far as could be determined by the school's record books. The next year, Kelvin had a career-long 43-yard reception and career-long 15-yard rush against Massachusetts en route to catching 17 passes for 211 yards. Kelvin started as a 5-9 point guard most of his freshman season in 2007-08 before his minutes were drastically reduced as a sophomore the next campaign when the Wolverines reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years.
Tom Harmon Two-time consensus All-American HB won Heisman Trophy in 1940. First pick overall in the 1941 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. Rushed for 542 yards and five touchdowns, including an 84-yard jaunt, in two seasons (1946 and 1947) with the Los Angeles Rams following World War II military service. Averaged 7.6 ppg as a sophomore in 1938-39 and led the Wolverines in scoring in five contests. Posted 2.5-point average the next year as a junior. Michigan coach Bennie Oosterbaan said Harmon "had a great fake and cut, a great shot, and aggressiveness."
Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch Member of College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame. First-round draft choice by Cleveland in 1945 (5th pick overall). Played HB, DB back and OE end as a pro with the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference from 1946 through 1948 and Los Angeles Rams of the NFL from 1949 through 1957. Caught 387 passes and scored 66 touchdowns as a pro. Played in four NFL championship games. Held the Rams' team record for most touchdown receptions for almost 40 years until it was broken by Isaac Bruce in 2001. Starting C for the Wolverines' basketball team in 1944 while undergoing military training there. Sketch in Michigan guide: "Naval transfer from Wisconsin was a big aid, chiefly through his flaming competitive spirit."
Paul Jokisch Split end caught 55 passes for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns from 1984 through 1986. He had a pass reception in both the 1986 Fiesta Bowl and 1987 Rose Bowl. Fifth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 1987 NFL draft. Forward averaged 3.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 1982-83 and 1983-84 under coach Bill Frieder.
Ron Kramer OE for 10 seasons (1957 and 1959 through 1967) with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. First-round draft choice caught 229 passes for 3,272 yards and 16 touchdowns in the NFL. Pro Bowl selection in 1963. Had 53 receptions for 880 yards and eight TDs with the Wolverines, including a career-best 70-yarder against UCLA as a senior in 1956. The 6-3, 220-pound F-C led the Wolverines in scoring as a sophomore (16 ppg) and junior (20.4) before finishing second on the team as senior (14.5). Three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection (second-team pick as a sophomore and junior and first-team choice as a senior) was named Michigan's team MVP all three seasons. Kramer was a second-team All-American selection by Converse and third-team pick by the National Association of Basketball Coaches as a senior captain in 1956-57. Selected in the fifth-round of the 1957 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. Excerpt from school guide: "Can leap and battle as well as shoot, and he's an inspirational type player who picks up his teammates when he's in there."
Bennie Oosterbaan Member of College Football Hall of Fame coached Michigan's football team to a 63-33-4 record in 11 seasons (1948 through 1958). His first team finished with a 9-0 record and was voted national champion in the AP poll. He won Big Ten Conference titles in 1948, 1949 and 1950. In 1943, the Helms Athletic Foundation named him to its 10-man All-American basketball teams it selected for the 1926-27 and 1927-28 seasons. Finished third in Western Conference (forerunner of Big Ten) scoring in 1926-27 (9.3 points per game) and led the league as a senior the next year (10.8 ppg).
Fred Petoskey All-American E for Michigan's 1932 national championship football team. Averaged 3.2 ppg as a starting G for the Wolverines' basketball squad in 1932-33 and 1933-34.
Gary Prahst WR caught 41 passes for 588 yards and three touchdowns while rushing once for 31 yards from 1956 through 1958, leading the Wolverines in receiving each of his last two seasons. Fourth-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in 1959 NFL draft (37th pick overall). Missed his only field-goal attempt in three basketball games in 1956-57.
Dick Rifenburg E for back-to-back undefeated national champions in 1947 and 1948. Seventh-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948 NFL draft caught 10 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown with the Detroit Lions in 1950. Led Big Ten Conference in pass receptions as an All-American senior in 1948. Held UM single-season touchdown reception record (eight) for more than 30 years until broken by Anthony Carter in 1980. Scored nine points in five basketball games in 1948-49.
Jim Skala Reserve E for UM in 1949 (caught one pass for 31 yards) and 1950 (two receptions for 33 yards before beating favored Cal in Rose Bowl). The 6-3 Skala averaged 8.1 ppg for the Wolverines from 1949-50 through 1951-52. Captain, leading scorer/rebounder and MVP as senior. Compiled a 43-86 coaching record for Eastern Michigan in six seasons from 1954-55 through 1959-60.
Tai Streets WR was sixth-round selection in 1999 NFL draft before catching 196 passes for 2,268 yards and 14 touchdowns with the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions in six years through 2004. Managed at least four receptions for at least 50 yards in all three of his NFL playoff games. Leader in pass receptions for the Wolverines in 1996 and 1998. Second-leading receiver for 1997 national champion when he had two TD receptions of more than 50 yards from Brian Griese in 21-16 Rose Bowl win against Washington State. Caught 131 passes for 2,016 yards and 17 TDs for UM from 1995 through 1998 (including six catches for 192 yards - one for 76 yards from Tom Brady - at Minnesota his senior season). Collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for NIT titlist in 1996-97 under coach Steve Fisher. Allegedly paid the father of Brian Bowen Sr. $5,000 cash in a misdeed cited during 2019 federal trial investigating nationwide corruption in NCAA hoops.
Irvin "Whiz" Wisniewski E caught 21 passes for 256 yards from 1947 through 1949, including runner-up with 11 receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown as a senior. Member of 10-0 national championship team as a sophomore. Compiled a 2-6 mark as Hillsdale (Mich.) football coach in 1951. Averaged 1.6 ppg for the Wolverines from 1947-48 through 1949-50. Scored two points in UM's first NCAA playoff win (66-49 against Columbia in 1948 Eastern Regional third-place game). Posted a 111-154 record (.419) as Delaware's coach for 12 seasons from 1954-55 through 1965-66 when the Blue Hens made transition to NCAA Division I level.

OHIO STATE

FB-BKB Player Summary of Football Career Summary of Basketball Career
Sam Busich E caught six passes for 57 yards and one touchdown with Boston in 1936 before catching 13 passes for 136 yards the next year with the Cleveland Rams. The 6-3, 185-pounder was a basketball letterman in 1935 and 1936 with the Buckeyes.
Harold "Cookie" Cunningham OE played three years of professional football with Cleveland (1927), Chicago Bears (1929) and Staten Island (1931). Three-year basketball letterman in the mid-1920s. The 6-3, 210-pounder played for Columbus (NBL) in 1937-38.
Rickey Dudley TE was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round (9th pick overall) of the 1996 NFL draft. Scored 29 touchdowns in five seasons with the Raiders before hooking on with the Cleveland Browns in 2001 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. Caught a TD pass for the Bucs in the playoffs following the 2002 campaign. Played two seasons of football for the Buckeyes, catching nine passes for 106 yards and two TDs as a junior in 1994 and 37 passes for 575 yards and seven TDs as a senior in 1995. Offensive MVP in the 1996 Florida Citrus Bowl. In four seasons as a 6-7, 240-pound forward for Ohio State's basketball team, he started 47 of 100 games. Dudley averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as a senior in 1994-95 when he led the Buckeyes in rebounding and finished third in scoring. In 1992, he collected three points and five rebounds in a 78-55 victory over Connecticut in the second round for the Buckeyes' Southeast Regional runner-up.
Jack Dugger Consensus All-American E on the 1944 OSU football team that finished second behind Army in the final AP poll. Second-round NFL draft choice by Pittsburgh in 1945. Played pro football with three different franchises from 1946 through 1949. Three-year letterman in basketball was a 6-4, 205-pound starting forward for the Buckeyes' Final Four teams in 1944 and 1945. Played briefly for Syracuse in the NBL in 1946-47.
Tony Eisenhard Played first four seasons as DE (starting four Big Ten games in 1997 en route to 18 tackles) before switching to TE as senior in 1999 and playing on special teams. The 6-7 Eisenhard averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.1 rpg over seven of the Buckeyes' last eight basketball games in 1996-97.
Wes Fesler Member of College Football Hall of Fame was consensus All-American end in 1928, 1929 and 1930. Three-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection was named to Grantland Rice's all-time All-American team in 1939. Coach at Pittsburgh (1946), Ohio State (1947 through 1950) and Minnesota (1951 through 1953). He was Woody Hayes' predecessor with the Buckeyes, guiding them to a 17-14 victory over California in the 1950 Rose Bowl. The 6-0, 185-pounder was a second-team All-Big Ten basketball selection as a sophomore and a first-team choice as a senior when he was an NCAA All-American. He also played three years of minor league baseball.
Dick "Sonnie" Fisher HB was on Big Ten Conference titlist in 1939 and became an all-league second-team choice in 1941 in first OSU season under coach Paul Brown. Fisher was a 17th-round choice by the Detroit Lions in 1942 NFL draft. All-Big Ten first-team selection as a hoops forward in 1940-41.
Charles "Chic" Harley HB passed for three touchdowns with the Chicago Staleys in 1921. The 5-8, 165-pounder was a basketball letterman in 1920 with the Buckeyes.
William "Dave" Leggett QB was Rose Bowl MVP for undefeated 1954 team under coach Woody Hayes. Selected in seventh round by Chicago Cardinals in 1955 NFL draft. QB-DB played in four games for them in 1955. Averaged 1.7 ppg in 19 basketball games from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
John Lumpkin Two-year starting TE caught four touchdown passes as a senior in 1998. The previous season, he scored the Buckeyes' lone touchdown (50-yard pass reception) in the Sugar Bowl against Florida State. The 6-7, 250-pounder collected 92 points and 120 rebounds in two seasons in the mid-1990s.
Jim McDonald B rushed 25 times for 80 yards and caught seven passes for 112 yards with the Detroit Lions in 1938 and 1939. First-round choice by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1938 NFL draft (2nd pick overall). Coached Tennessee to a 5-5 record in 1963. The 6-1, 190-pounder was a three-year basketball letterman with the Buckeyes, serving as their captain as a senior.
Andy Nemecek Lineman with the Columbus Tigers for three years from 1923 through 1925. The 6-4, 215-pounder was a three-year basketball letterman with the Buckeyes.
Art Schlichter QB was a first-round draft choice of the Baltimore Colts in 1982 (4th pick overall), but had only three touchdown passes in three years before his career was curtailed by gambling-related problems. He wound up in a couple dozen different jails and prisons. Finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1979 after leading OSU to the brink of a national title. OSU's career (7,547) and single game (458 vs. Florida State as senior) leader in passing yards was instrumental in the offensive diversification of Buckeye football after the program previously was known as "three yards and a cloud of dust" under coach Woody Hayes. Lost three straight bowl games (Gator, Rose and Fiesta) before throwing his 49th and 50th college career TD passes in a 31-28 Liberty Bowl win over Navy. Scored 18 points in 11 basketball games for the Buckeyes in 1978-79 and 1980-81. The 6-2, 210-pounder converted all six of his free-throw attempts.
Don Scott Two-time All-American as left HB in single-wing formation offense, essentially making him the Buckeyes' primary ball handler (quarterback). Scott completed 58% of his passes (48-of-93) for 991 yards and 11 touchdowns. He rushed for 657 yards on 74 carries. As a sophomore, Scott was a tackle on offensive and defensive lines while also punting and kicking extra points. He was the ninth overall selection in 1941 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears but chose to volunteer to fight in Europe during WWII (died in fall of 1943 when bomber he piloted crashed in England while in training). Made a free throw for NCAA Tournament runner-up in inaugural national championship contest in 1939.
Ron Sepic Selected by the Washington Redskins in 12th round of 1967 NFL draft as an E (two spots behind fellow Big Ten hooper Preston Pearson of Illinois). The 6-4 Sepic averaged 15.4 ppg and 7.5 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67, ranking among the Buckeyes' top three in scoring and rebounding each season.
Bob Shaw E was 10th-round choice by the Cleveland Rams in 1944. Caught 81 passes for 1,569 yards for 20 touchdowns with the LA Rams in 1946 and 1949 and Chicago Cardinals in 1950. Pro Bowler in 1950 when he became the first player to catch five touchdowns in a single game and led the NFL in receiving TDs with 12 for the Cardinals. All-American on OSU's 1942 national titlist. CFL coach of the year in 1976. The 6-4 Shaw was a hoops starter in 1942 and 1943.

TEXAS CHRISTIAN

FB-BKB Player Summary of Football Career Summary of Basketball Career
Sammy Baugh Member of College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame is considered by many as the finest QB in history. Consensus All-American in 1936. Passed for 21,886 yards and 186 touchdowns in 16 years (1937 through 1952) with the Washington Redskins. First-round pick led the NFL in passing five times, in punting five times and in pass interceptions once. Five-time All-Pro participant held almost all of the NFL's passing records when he retired. His 44-yard gallop was the longest run from scrimmage in a 3-2 victory over LSU in the 1936 Sugar Bowl before helping the Horned Frogs defeat Marquette, 16-6, in the 1937 Cotton Bowl. Three-year letterman in basketball at TCU was an honorable mention selection on the All-Southwest Conference team as a senior in 1936-37.
Lester "Mike" Brumbelow Captain and MVP of TCU's undefeated 1929 team winning the school's first SWC championship. UTEP football coach (1950-56). Two-year hoops letterman was alma mater's basketball coach from 1937-38 through 1940-41.
Norm Cox B played for the AAFC's Chicago franchise in 1946 and 1947. The 6-2, 210-pounder was a starting F with TCU's basketball squad in 1945.
Adolph "Ad" Dietzel Two-year letterman in the early 1930s. The 6-6 C was a Helms Foundation All-American in 1932 and Murray Service first-team All-American the previous year.
Darrell Lester Center-linebacker played for the Green Bay Packers in 1937 and 1938 after being their fifth-round draft choice in 1936. The 6-3, 220-pounder was a starting C for TCU's basketball squad in 1934 (SWC champion) and 1935.
Mickey McCarty Fourth-round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1968 (90th pick overall) played in three games for the Super Bowl champion the next year as a tight end. The 6-5, 255-pounder averaged 15.4 ppg and 10.7 rpg from 1965-66 through 1967-68. Two-time All-SWC first-team selection left the Horned Frogs as the third-leading scorer in school history. He was also selected in the major league baseball draft.
Wallace Myers Football letterman for TCU from 1931 through 1933. The 6-1 guard was a Helms Foundation All-American in 1934.
Blanard Spearman All-SWC selection 1931 and 1932 when he led the Frogs in rushing yards and scoring. Hoops letterman in 1931.
Wendall Sumner Member of 1932 SWC championship team. Two-time All-SWC selection in basketball in the early 1930s.
Jim Swink Unanimous All-American selection as a HB in 1955 when he led the nation's major-college players with an average of 8.2 yards per carry (1,284 yards in 157 carries) while sparking TCU to a 9-1 record. College Football Hall of Famer finished second in Heisman Trophy voting while pacing the nation in scoring with 125 points. Second-round draft choice by the NFL's Chicago Bears in 1957 (25th pick overall) played in five games for the AFL's Dallas Texans in 1960. The 6-1, 180-pounder averaged 5.8 ppg in 12 basketball contests in 1955-56. Excerpt from school media guide: "Very quick, deceptive and likes to drive to the bucket."
Will Walls E caught 35 passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns with the New York Giants in six years from 1937 to 1943. Football letterman at TCU from 1934 through 1936. Football/basketball teammate of legendary quarterback Sammy Baugh received one pass from him for 25 yards in 1936 Sugar Bowl. The 6-4, 210-pounder was a starting F with TCU's basketball squad for three years from 1935 through 1937.