Arkansas Football: The Razorbacks All-80s Team

What a time to be alive in the 80s.

For the Hogs, it was the last full decade being a part of the Southwest Conference. Lou Holtz ended his career at Arkansas in 1983, but Ken Hatfield, kept the Hogs relevant for the remainder of the decade.

Under Hatfield, the Hogs went to six straight bowl games, with back-to-back trips in the final two years of the decade and his time with the Hogs.

The Hogs of the 80s were contenders in the SWC every year and won the conference title in 1988 and 1989, to was the last time Arkansas would be the conference champion.

The Hogs of the 80s featured four All-Americans, but none of them were offensively skilled players. The stars of the team were in the trenches, both offense and defense. Let’s take a look at the Hogs team of the 80s.

Starter QB: Quinn Grovey

He was a successful quarterback, leading his team to two Southwest Conference Championships and two Cotton Bowl appearances. He has been inducted into multiple sports halls of fame, including the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.

Reserve QB: Brad Taylor

Starter RB: Gary Anderson

One of the most explosive backs to come out of Fayetville, Anderson was a playmaker for Lou Holtz’s final years. Before being drafted to the San Diego Chargers, he finished his Arkansas career with 3,074 yards and 18 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Reserve RB: Barry Foster

Starter WR: James Shibest

Shibest was the school’s leading receiver until 1994, currently at no. 10 on the list. Shibest was named to the All-SWC conference team twice during his career in Fayetteville, 1984 and 1986.

Starter WR: Donnie Centers

Centers scored seven touchdowns during his career with the Hogs, spanning 1983-87.

Reserve: Derek Russell

Anderson’s best season was in 1990, but he was a contributor for the Hogs during the late 80s.

Reserve: Derek Holloway

Holloway set a couple of records, including most receiving yards and longest scoring reception in the 1981 Gator Bowl. He also led the Southwest Conference in kickoff returns in 1982.

Starter TE: Billy Winston

Winston was named to Arkansas’s 1980s All-Decade team. He was a big part of the back-to-back runs to the Cotton Bowl.

Reserve TE: Theo Young

Young was drafted to the NFL in 1987 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Starter Tackle: Jim Mabry

Mabry earned All-Southwest Conference honors in 1988 and 1989, as well as All-America Honors in 1989. He was also named to the 1980s Razorback all-decade team.

Starter Guard: Steve Korte

Besides being strong as a silverback, Korte was also a unanimous All-American in 1982 and later voted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame in 2015.

Starter Center: Elbert Crawford

Crawford played all positions on the offensive line during his Arkansas career but was named to the All-SWC team as a center in 1989 and one of the Razorbacks’ four co-captains.

Starting Guard: Freddie Childress

Childress started as a true freshman in 1985, finishing his career at Arkansas being a second-team All-American.

Starting Tackle: Alfred Mohammad

Mohammad was a two-time starter at tackle during Lou Holtz final years. He was also named to the 1980s All-Decade Team.

Starting DE: Billy Ray Smith

Ray Smith is regarded as one of the best players to step on the field at Arkansas, also being named to the school’s All-Century team.

Starting DT: Wayne Martin

Martin was a key part of the Razorbacks’ defense that won the SWC championship in 1988. He was named All-American and All-Southwest Conference first team.

Starter DT: Michael Shepherd

Shep was another anchor on the defensive line for the SWC champion Hogs in ’88 and ’89. He played alongside Wayne Martin and was a key part of the team’s success.

Starter DE: Ron Faurot

Faurot was an All-Southwest Conference and All-American selection in 1983 as a defensive end. He was drafted in the first round by the New York Jets in 1984.

Starter LB: RIckey Williams

Starter LB: Bert Zinamon

Zinamon was a tackling machine for Lou Holtz, finishing 10th all-time with 335 career tackles.

Starter LB: Ravin Caldwell

Caldwell was a three-year starter at defensive end/linebacker and played in three bowl games.

Starter CB: Danny Walters

Another product of Lou Holtz defense, Walters played for the Hogs 1979-82. He contributed to both sides of the ball.

Starter Safety: Greg Lasker

Lasker was named to the 1980s All-Decade team for his career as a Razorback. He was later drafted to the NFL in 1986.

Starter Safety: Steve Atwater

Atwater is one of the greatest safeties to play in the NFL, and it all started in Fayetteville. He holds the school record for most career interceptions and is a part of the All-Century and 80s Decade team.

Starting CB: Richard Brothers

Brothers played four years at Arkansas from 1985-89. He finished with ten career interceptions.

Story originally appeared on Razorbacks Wire