There are two defensive backs catching the eye of NFL talent evaluators on campus at Baylor this draft season, safeties Jalen Pitre and JT Woods.
But Baylor’s defensive backs have always been a priority study for NFL scouts. Need a DB, visit Waco.
In building Baylor’s all-time NFL team, the defensive backfield was flooded with quality candidates. The players chosen to fill the four starting spots — Gary Green and Xavien Howard at corners and Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin and Vann McElroy at safety — have combined for 137 interceptions and 14 Pro Bowl appearances.
There remained five players who combined for 130 interceptions and six championship rings – cornerbacks Ray Crockett and Cedric Mack and safeties Thomas Everett, Hank Gremminger and Bobby Ply. Crockett played 14 seasons and Gremminger and Mack 11 each. Everett, Green and McElroy all played nine seasons and Howard and Ply six each. Gonsoulin went to the most Pro Bowls with the Denver Broncos (5) and intercepted the most passes by Baylor alumni (46). Gremminger won the most championship rings – three with the Green Bay Packers of the 1960s.
Baylor has produced a Hall of Famer – Chicago Bears center linebacker Mike Singletary, two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and member of the 1980s NFL All-Decade Team.
Here’s the all-time Baylor NFL team:
QB—Robert Griffin III, Pro Bowl, 2012 NFL Rookie of the Year
HB—Walter Abercromie, 7 seasons, 3,357 rushing yards, 139 receptions, 29 touchdowns
FB—Ronnie Bull, 1962 NFL Rookie of the Year
WR—Del Shofner, 5 Pro Bowls, selection from all 1960s NFL decades
WR—Josh Gordon, Pro Bowl, led the NFL in receiving yards (1,646) in 2013
TE—Ronnie Lee, 120 career starts: 37 at TE, 22 at RT, 61 at RG
OT—Fred Miller, 13, 164 starts, Super Bowl ring
OT—Charlie Bradshaw, 2 Pro Bowls, 11 years, 131 starts
G—Jim Ray Smith, 5 Pro Bowls, 9 years, 77 starts
G—Keith Bishop, 9 years, 87 starts
C—Randy Grimes, 9 years, 104 starts
DE—Bill Glass, 4 Pro Bowls, 11 years, 88 1/2 sacks
DE—Albert Fontenot, 9 years, 27 1/2 bags
DT—Santana Dotson, 10 years, 49 bags
DT — Daryl Gardener8 years, 19 bags
OLB—James Francis, 10 years, 33 1/2 bags
MLB—Mike Singletary, Professional Football Hall of Fame
OLB—Bobby Maples, Pro Bowl, 14, 134 starts
CB—Gary Green, 4 Pro Bowls, 33 steals
CB—Xavien Howard, 3 Pro Bowls, 2020 NFL steals leader (10)
S—Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin, 5 Pro Bowls, AFL interception leader in 1960 (11)
S—Vann McElroy, 2 Pro Bowls, 31 steals, Super Bowl ring
K—Jeff Ireland, Spent 6 years as general manager of the Miami Dolphins (2008-13)
P—Luke PrestridgePro Bowl, 1982 NFL champion (45.0 yards)
KR—Mike Nelms, 2 Pro Bowls, 1981 NFL Kickoff Return Champion (29.7 yards)
ST—Reyna Thompson, Pro Bowl, two-time Super Bowl champion
LS—Ross MatiscikDeep snapper for Jacksonville Jaguars the last 2 seasons
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