AAC Football's All-Time NFL Team

The American Athletic Conference may only date back to 2014, but many of the teams that make up the fresh-faced league in 2023 (six new schools in the league) have had programs going back many decades — and in some instances, more than a century.

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There was so much talent the NFL got from present-day AAC school that is mind-blowing. From Hall of Famers to players that are now contributing to teams. Could you imagine what a throw from the legendary Navy QB Roger Staubach to hall-of-fame Tulsa WR Steve Largent would be like? How about the speed of SMU RB Eric Dickerson through college and NFL defenses? There is so much talent in the wide receiver depth that these schools developed.

The players will also have an all-time offensive line, with Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg (SMU) leading that group. These five offensive linemen below (see chart) had a combined twenty-four pro bowls — this line could defend the best of the best. This list has legends, and they could win any bowl game in their prime, and could even win Super Bowls in their pro heydays.

These current AAC programs helped developed defensive legends throughout their history with three defensive line halls of farmers. Just imagine Mean Joe Greene tearing apart offensive lines with Temple's Joe Klecko and Navy's Ed "The Claw" Sprinkle. This is a defensive line that will eat offensive linemen for breakfast in any era of football. Just having one of these legends could bring fear to an offense. This is just a start of what they had on defense with recruiting and developing future NFL stars. The linebackers also include Tulsa product Tracy Scroggins, who had a great career in the NFL, especially forcing fumbles.

There are also some good defensive backs for the secondary. These players are considered the best that the AAC has played in the pros and could play in any era. This includes Tulane's Richie Petitbon, who had an amazing NFL career with 48 interceptions and four touchdowns for his career. Along with Petitbon, imagine if he played along with SMU's Jerry Norton, covering the backfield of the defense. There is also Memphis alumni Bobby McCain, who is still an active safety in the league today, and just signed with the New York Giants this spring after starting 16 games last fall for Washington.

Along with both offenses and defenses, the AAC also had some great special team players. One of them is Tulane PK Eddie Murray, who had two Pro Bowls and a career 352 field goals in his NFL career. Along with Murray making game-winners with winning kicks, current punter Thomas Morstead (SMU), who was a pro bowler and Super Bowl champion with New Orleans, has had great longevity for the NFL and is with the New York Jets this year.

These current AAC programs provided so much talent for the NFL, and if combined could have won Super Bowls — that's what we at FanBuzz think.

Please note: The list below goes back to the beginning of NFL football, and it is based on a points system rewarded by the excellent database website Pro Football Reference. Also — and this is critical — yes, the AAC is a young conference, and yes there are six new teams even this year. This team is based on the teams that currently make up the AAC, in 2023, and that's it. And yes, some of these players did play a year or two at another school but did have substantial time and success at the program listed below.

AAC All-Time NFL Team

OFFENSE

POS	G5 SCHOOL	PLAYER	NFL YRS	CAREER STATS
QB	NAVY	Roger Staubach*	1969-1979	22,700 yds, 153 TDs
RB	SMU	Doak Walker*	1950-1955	5,000 yds, 534 pts.
RB	SMU	Eric Dickerson*	1983-1993	13,259 rush yds, 90 TD
WR	TULSA	Steve Largent*	1976-1989	13,089 rec yds, 100 TD
WR	MEMPHIS	Isaac Bruce*	1994-2009	15,208 rec yds, 91 TD
WR	SMU	Raymond Berry*	1955-1967	9,275 rec yds, 68 TD
TE	TULANE	Max McGee	1954-1967	6,346 rec yds, 50 TD
OL	NORTH TEXAS	Brian Waters	2000-2013	6 Pro Bowls
OL	TEMPLE	Bucko Kilroy	1943-1955	3 Pro Bowls
OL	MEMP./ARK ST.	Ray Brown	1986-2005	1 Pro Bowl
OL	TULSA	Bob St. Clair*	1953-1963	5 Pro Bowls
OL	SMU	Forrest Gregg*	1956-1971	9 Pro Bowls

(*) — Indicates Hall of Famer

DEFENSE

POS	G5 SCHOOL	PLAYER	ACT YRS	CAREER STATS
DL	TEMPLE	Joe Klecko*	1977-1988	78 Sacks
DL	NORTH TEXAS	Mean Joe Greene*	1969-1981	77.5 Sacks
DL	NAVY	Ed Sprinkle*	1944-1955	4 IT, FR yards 111
DL	SMU	Jerry Mays	1961-1970	65.5 Sacks
DL/LB	TULSA	Tracy Scroggins	1992-2001	60.5 Sacks, FF 8
LB/DL	MEMPHIS	Tim Harris	1986-1995	81.0 Sacks
LB	SMU	Bill Forester	1953-1963	21 Int
LB/DB	TULANE	Bill Svoboda	1950-1958	9 Int, Int yds 102
DB	TULANE	Richie Petitbon	1959-1972	48 Int, 3 TD
DB	SMU	Jerry Norton	1954-1964	35 Int, 99 Lng
DB	MEMPHIS	Bobby McCain	2015-2022	11 Int, 141 Yds

(*) — Indicates Hall of Famer

SPECIAL TEAMS

POS	G5 SCHOOL	PLAYER	ACT YRS	CAREER STATS
K	TULANE	Eddie Murray	1980-2000	2 Pro Bowls, 352 FGs
P	SMU	Thomas Morstead	2009-2022	46.5 yd career avg.

MORE: American Athletic Conference Football 2023 Season Preview