Conference USA Football's All-Time NFL Team

With the college football season near, let's look back at some great alumni from current Conference USA programs. And yes, again, we know many if not nearly all of the people mentioned below did not play in the current organization known as C-USA.

We here at FanBuzz don't care, what we are interested in is a team made up of great NFL products from the nine 2023 Conference USA teams.

Present-day C-USA team alumni had 15 around players we deemed very strong, with some achieving NFL Hall of Fame status — as we are coincidentally celebrating this year's HOF this week. In fact, there are four Hall of Famers from the nine schools currently in the conference, including legendary QB Terry Bradshaw. Along with Bradshaw is offensive tackle Willie Roaf, a legendary player with 11 Pro Bowls to his credit. Could you imagine a gridiron world in which Willie Roaf is blocking for Bradshaw so he has time to throw touchdowns? It would be amazing. Along with a line led by Roaf, think about how Bradshaw would also throw to 11,800+-yard pro football receiver Don Maynard from his UTEP days and how they could work to win games.

With these Hall-of-Famers, there are also great depth areas for the offense — like Middle Tennessee's Dwight Stone, who could make a key catch in the big games. Then there is offensive lineman Jerry DeLucca (Middle Tennessee), who adds good depth to any offensive line. And Keith McKeller (Jacksonville State) would be in the TE position — a good piece for any dream team. 

The defense also looks like a stout group, with legendary defensive lineman Fred Dean (Louisiana Tech) terrorizing offensive lines. Having a Hall of Famer like Dean could help a defensive front win crucial games in college and the NFL. The linebacker corps from current C-USA schools also includes UTEP's Seth Joyner, who could sack and force the ball out of players' hands. With career stats that include 26 forced fumbles, the fantasy of a great mythical C-USA team linebacker corps could settle for a consistent player. The secondary also has top players in the top 15 with two great stars like Kevin Byard, who is a beast as we speak (type?), and a quality DB like Julian Spence. This defense has a great front and quality secondary and could do well for this fantasy team. 

There are also quality special teams studs who contributed in the NFL and they came from these current C-USA schools. Guido Merkens (Sam Houston) could give dream special teams movement with a good run due to his career of punt returns for 126 yards. Along with Merkens is Matt Stover kicking winning field goals. There is also Trey Junkin, who is like a Swiss army knife in passing, rushing, and defense. The CUSA top 15 includes some top names who could help a dream team.

Now? Let's take a look at the list.

TOP 15 NFL PLAYERS FROM CURRENT C-USA TEAMS

RK	POS	G5 SCHOOL	PLAYER	ACT YRS	CAREER STATS
1	OL	LOUISIANA TECH	Willie Roaf (*)	1993-2005	11 Pro-Bowls
2	QB	LOUISIANA TECH	Terry Bradshaw (*)	1970-1983	27,989 Yds, 212 Tds
3	WR	UTEP	Don Maynard (*)	1958-1973	11,834 Rec Yds, 88 Tds
4	DL	LOUISIANA TECH	Fred Dean (*)	1975-1985	92.0 Sacks
5	LB	UTEP	Seth Joyner	1986-1998	52.0 Sacks, 26 FF
6	DB	MIDDLE TENN.	Kevin Byard	2016-2022	27 Ints, 333 Int Yds
7	PK	LOUISIANA TECH	Matt Stover	1991-2009	1 Pro Bowl, 471 FGM
8	WR	MIDDLE TENN.	Dwight Stone	1987-2000	2478 Rec Yds, 12 Tds
9	LB	LOUISIANA TECH	J.R. Williamson	1964-1970	3 Ints, 2 FR
10	OL	MIDDLE TENN.	Jerry DeLucca (&)	1959-1964	37 Starts
11	WR	LOUISIANA TECH	Cloyce Box	1949-1954	2665 Rec Yards, 32 Tds
12	TE	JACKSONVILLE ST.	Keith McKeller	1987-1993	1464 Rec Yds, 11 Tds
13	DB	SAM HOUSTON	Julian Spence	1956-1961	6 Ints, 35 Int Yds
14	OL	NEW MEXICO ST.	Bob Kelly	1961-1968	AV 11, 1 FR
15t	ST	SAM HOUSTON	Guido Merkens	1978-1987	PR 126, 1 Punt Blocked
15t	LS	LOUISIANA TECH	Trey Junkin	1983-2002	17 Rec Yds, 7 Tds

(*) - NFL Hall of Famer

(&) - Began college career at Tennessee before transferring to Middle Tennessee.