Colorado University Athletics
CU's Jeffcoat, Walters on Pac-12 All-Century Ballot
October 21, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — While the Colorado Buffaloes are in just their fifth year of membership in the Pac-12, they nevertheless have a deep connection to the rich tradition of the conference's football history.
Two members of the Colorado Buffaloes' coaching staff are finalists in the voting for the Pac-12 Conference's All-Century Team, to be announced Dec. 1. Defensive line Jim Jeffcoat, a former Arizona State standout, and wide receivers coach Troy Walters, a former Stanford great, are both on the All-Century team ballot.
To be eligible, players had to participate in conference games when their school was a member of the conference; thus only CU players who have played in the last four seasons were eligible to be nominated.
“It's a great, great honor,” Jeffcoat said. “I'm blessed to have the opportunity to be on such a prestigious list. I looked at some of those guys on the lists, and I played with or against a lot of them. It's nice to be remembered, and I'm glad I left an impact on somebody.”
Jeffcoat, who went on to have a 15-year NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills, was a three-year starter defensive end for the Sun Devils (1980-82). He finished his college career with 20 career sacks and recorded 111 tackles as a senior, when the Sun Devils defeated Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. ASU led the nation in defense in Jeffcoat's senior year, allowing just 228.9 total yards per game.
“When I see all those guys I played with or against, either in college or the NFL, it's an amazing group,” Jeffcoat said. “It's an honor to be included with some of those great, great players.”
Other players on the ballot include another former ASU star, Terrell Suggs; as well as former Arizona star Tedy Bruschi and former USC standout Willie McGinest.
Walters, who played four years at receiver at Stanford (1996-99), still holds the conference record for career receiving yards (4,047) and is tied for fifth on the career receptions list (248). He started the year tied for fourth on the receptions list, but was passed last weekend by one of his players — CU's Nelson Spruce moved into fourth on the list when his eight catches against Arizona gave him 250 for his career.
“It's a great honor to just be considered,” Walters said. “When you look at the names on that list, it's a big compliment to be included on the Pac-12 list.”
Other wide receivers on the ballot include former USC stars Lynn Swann and Keyshawn Johnson, Stanford's James Lofton and Cal's DeSean Jackson.
To view the ballots and take part in the voting, go to http://pac-12.com/centennial/football-all-century-team.
