1978 to 2008: The FCS Top Thirty Lists - Defensive Backs

[CSN-info]

http://www.collegesportingnews.com/stats/writer/Top30/topthirtycover200w.jpg
The highest level of NCAA Division I championship football began play in 1978 as Division I-AA and from that time there have been numerous top performers throughout the 30 years. Now renamed the Football Championship Subdivision, the following is a list compiled to highlight the Top 30 at the positions of quarterback, runningback, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back, kicker/punter, and FCS national championship games as part of our 2008 Yearbook.

This level of football has produced NFL Most Valuable Players such as quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Rich Gannon, Super Bowl MVPs such as Richard Dent, NFL record holders such as Jerry Rice and Steve Christie, and numerous NCAA records. These lists spotlight some of those achievements and gives a sampling of the level of play that the FCS has and continues to produce.

We will be publishing the lists over the next two weeks and we hope you will enjoy this small sampling of the past 30 years of the FCS.
Read more ... http://www.championshipsubdivisionnews.com/index.php?blog=5&title=1978-to-2008-the-fcs-top-thirty-lists&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

[dbackjon]

Aeneas Williams is very deserving as #1

[Appstate29]

wow, I didn't know the FCS has produced so many outstanding DBs!! Congrats all, also homerish I know, but Matt Stevens would be deserving of a place in the top 30

[B&G]

Cortland Finnegan may be Top 10 in another year or so.

[Silenoz]

Where's Tim Hauck?

And I think someone covered this in the WR thread, but..damn, I can't believe how many HBCU players went on to long NFL careers

[AppAlum2003]

I'd take Corey Lynch over 85% of the guys on that list....

[Retro]

Is this list based on college achievement or pro achievement or combo??

Either way Keith Smith and Zack Bronson of Mcneese should be on there before several others.xcoolx

[danefan]

Is this only for drafted players?

Leigh Bodden is a darn good corner (from Duquesne)

[McNeese72]

Is this list based on college achievement or pro achievement or combo??

Either way Keith Smith and Zack Bronson of Mcneese should be on there before several others.xcoolx

Too bad McNeese wasn't I-AA until sometime near or after 1983. Would have been interesting to see if the SLC 1982 Player of the Year, Leonard Smith would have made the list.

Doc

[DetroitFlyer]

Is this only for drafted players?

Leigh Bodden is a darn good corner (from Duquesne)

Currently earning his living playing football right here in Detroit! I do not recall the exact numbers, but he signed with Detroit for "millions of dollars" this year.

[AppAlum2003]

Currently earning his living playing football right here in Detroit! I do not recall the exact numbers, but he signed with Detroit for "millions of dollars" this year.

Now I know you're a liar... what they're playing in Detroit cannot be considered "football." :p

[jstate83]

#1) Aeneas Williams..........Southern.
That guy knocked out so many of our players. xlolx
When he hit someone, you could hear it in the top corner of Memorial. xeekx

#6) Ashley Ambrose.
Collectively, him and the other valley Defensive backfield was known as the N.W.A.

Yep.
The same name and meaning as the rap group...........Dre, Eazy-E, DJ Red, and Ice Cube. xlolx
They got Valley 1 of their 4 win's over JSU.
Ambrose picked off everything thrown his way at Valley.

[jstate83]

Now I know you're a liar... what they're playing in Detroit cannot be considered "football." :p

OUCH!!!!!
http://www.reviewjournal.com/images/webextras/gallery/moran/low_blow.jpg
xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[BlueHen86]

Aeneas Williams is very deserving as #1
Agreed.

[AppAlum2003]

OUCH!!!!!
http://www.reviewjournal.com/images/webextras/gallery/moran/low_blow.jpg
xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

I'm a Bears fan... can't pass up the chance to add to the train wreck that Matt Millen created.

[jstate83]

To be considered, are they saying you must have played pro ball?
Cause if playing pro is not one of the conditions to be one of the FCS 30 best, then why is this College Hall of Famer not on this DB list.
Not only would he knock you out but he would take an INT to the house in a flash.

Position: Safety
School: Jackson State
High School: Vicksburg HS
Years: 1985-1988
Inducted: 2006
Place of Birth: Vicksburg, MS
Date of Birth: 5/31/1967
Jersey Number: 49
Height: 6-2
Weight: 197
http://www.collegefootball.org/playerimages/90102_1.jpg

At Vicksburg High School Kevin Dent played both quarterback and defensive back. He started at quarterback for three seasons and led his team to a combined 23-9 record. “He was calm, collected and ran the offense for us. He was the difference in four or five wins his senior season,” remembered a coach. On defense he gave a preview of where he would excel in college by intercepting five passes his senior season. “Kevin was one of those guys that was on top of his game, He didn’t make any mistakes,” said Alonzo Stevens, his high school defensive coordinator. “He was true student of the game. You couldn’t fool him. Having the experience of being a quarterback and knowing the intricacies of the passing game gave him an advantage when playing defense. Yet somehow, major college coaches over-looked Dent and he had to settle for playing on the I-AA level. Making the move to college was a learning experience for Kevin. “You have to grow up fast once you get to college. They run faster, they hit harder, work longer and that first spring really opened my eyes.” He quickly adjusted and became a starter halfway through his freshman season. In his sophomore season he tied for the nation’s lead in interceptions with ten, taking two back for touchdowns. From that point on offenses all around the SWAC avoided his side of the field. Despite that fact he was twice named the conference defensive player of the year and his interception total of 21 still put him among the all-time top 25 at the time of his enshrinement. That 1986 sophomore season saw Kevin become an All-America. An honor he repeated as a junior and senior. More importantly, Dent was a winner as the team won a co-championship his freshman season and took sole possession of the title the next three years.

[Syntax Error]

Fun to read others here talk about those who weren't on the list. Reps to you jstate for giving a reason why with Dent!

[jstate83]

Fun to read others here talk about those who weren't on the list. Reps to you jstate for giving a reason why with Dent!

That guy was REALLY good.
He got caught up in the number's game in the pro camps.
They did not even look at this guy for the draft back then.

He didn't even get drafted.
They were really downplaying certain positions in FCS back then when it came to the draft.
That was and still is a shame.xnonono2x

[SUjagTILLiDIE]

Another SU Jag Maurist Hurst should have been on that list. Aeneas was a walk-on @ SU and played 2 seasons not one like the article says.

[SUjagTILLiDIE]

Too bad McNeese wasn't I-AA until sometime near or after 1983. Would have been interesting to see if the SLC 1982 Player of the Year, Leonard Smith would have made the list.

Doc
The same can be said for SU's Mel Blunt, probably the best DB ever .

[Syntax Error]

DB list:

1. Aeneas Williams, CB, Southern University, 3rd Rnd-1991
2. Albert Lewis, DB, Grambling State, 3rd Rnd-1983
3. Brock Marion, DB, Nevada, 7th Rnd-1993
4. Rodney Harrison, S, Western Illinios, 5th Rnd-1994
5. Darren Sharper, DB, William & Mary, 2nd Rnd-1997
6. Ashley Ambrose, DB, Mississippi Valley State, 2nd Rnd-1992
7. Rashean Mathis, CB, Bethune-Cookman, 2nd Rnd-2003
8. Willie Williams, CB, Western Carolina, 6th Rnd-1993
9. Mike Prior, DB, Illinois State, 7th Rnd-1985
10. Mark Kelso, DB, William & Mary, 10th Rnd-1985
11. Tim McKyer, DB, Texas-Arlington, 3rd Rnd-1986
12. Dwayne Harper, DB, South Carolina State, 11th Rnd-1988
13. Kurt Schulz, DB, Eastern Washington, 7th Rnd-1992
14. Lance Schulters, DB, Hofstra, 4th Rnd-1998
15. Terrence McGee, DB, Northwestern State, 4th Rnd-2003
16. Nick Collins, FS, Bethune-Cookman, 2nd Rnd-2005
17. Antoine Bethea, SS, Howard, 6th Rnd-2006
18. Cortland Finnegan, DB, Samford, 7th Rnd-2006
19. Michael Green, S, Northwestern State, 7th Rnd-2000
20. Donnie Abraham, CB, East Tennesee State, 3rd Rnd-1996
21. Don Griffin, DB, Middle Tennessee State, 6th Rnd-1986
22. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State, 1st Rnd-2008
23. Terry Taylor, DB, Southern Illinios, 1st Rnd-1984
24. Barney Bussey, DB, South Carolina State, 5th Rnd-1984
25. Vencie Glenn, DB, Indiana State, 2nd Rnd-1986
26. Patrick Hunter, DB, Nevada, 3rd Rnd-1986
27. Terrance Shaw, CB, Stephen F. Austin, 2nd Rnd-1995
28. Gene Atkins, DB, Florida A&M, 7th Rnd-1987
29. Fred Thomas, DB, Tennessee-Martin, 2nd Rnd-1996
30. Tony Stargell, DB, Tennessee State, 3rd Rnd-1990

[UMass922]

I'm really enjoying these lists; kudos to those who assembled them. Can't wait to see the rest.

[BDKJMU]

Surprised Tony Lezotte wasn't on there. He only a 4 time All American. How many on that list can claim that?

[Proud Griz Man]

Where's Tim Hauck?

And I think someone went on to long NFL careers

My thought exactly. What happened???

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Aeneas Williams is very deserving as #1

Doesn't she play tennis? :D xpopcornx I KID! I KID!

[WMTribe90]

Jerry Azumah, graduated as the all-time leading rushed in I-AA and a successful career as a DB and KR specialist for the Bears. His career was cut short by injury, but I'd have him in the top 30.

[Brad82]

Kevin Smith from URI drafted and played for Steelers deserves consideration.

[PaladinFan]

No John Keith of Furman? Fourth Round pick?

[Brad82]

Ernest Gibson-Furman? NE Patriot.

[Syntax Error]

Jerry Azumah, graduated as the all-time leading rushed in I-AA and a successful career as a DB and KR specialist for the Bears. His career was cut short by injury, but I'd have him in the top 30.I'm a big Bears fan and Azumah was good, was he ever pro bowl good?

[UMass922]

Jerry Azumah, graduated as the all-time leading rushed in I-AA and a successful career as a DB and KR specialist for the Bears. His career was cut short by injury, but I'd have him in the top 30.

I'm guessing he'll appear on the RB list.

[Syntax Error]

I'm a big Bears fan and Azumah was good, was he ever pro bowl good?Okay, I became unlazy and looked it up:
Jerry Azumah (pronounced /ah-ZOO-muh/) (born September 1, 1977 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) is a former professional American football cornerback who played for the Chicago Bears his entire career from 1999 to 2005.

Azumah was selected as the 14th pick of the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft out of the University of New Hampshire where he won the Walter Payton Award as the best offensive player in Division I-AA football. He attended Saint Peter-Marian High School in Worcester, Massachusetts. His best season came in 2003, when he led the league in kickoff returns with a twenty-nine-yard average and two touchdowns. He was selected to the 2004 Pro Bowl as a kick return specialist for the NFC. On March 23, 2006, Azumah retired from the NFL after seven seasons with the Chicago Bears at the age of 28 due to hip and neck pain.

He now does Bears post game coverage on Comcast Sportsnet.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Azumah