[1] Four of the six teams (AP, UPI, NEA, and FWAA) were selected by polling of sports writers and/or broadcasters.
They are: (1) USC running back Mike Garrett who led the NCAA with 1,440 rushing yards and won the 1965 Heisman Trophy; (2) Tulsa end Howard Twilley who in 1965 set an NCAA record with 1,779 receiving yards, a single-season record that stood for 30 years; and (3) Illinois fullback Jim Grabowski who was second in the NCAA with 1,258 rushing yards and won the 1965 Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy after breaking the Big Ten Conference career rushing record.
1 in the final UPI Coaches Poll and led the country with eight players receiving at least one first-team All-American designation.
The Spartans' first-team honorees were: defensive back George Webster (AFCA, AP, NEA, UPI, FN, WC); defensive end Bubba Smith (AFCA, UPI, WC); end Gene Washington (CP, FN); quarterback Steve Juday (AP); running backs Clinton Jones (FWAA) and Bob Apisa (FN); middle guard Harold Lucas (NEA); and linebacker Ron Goovert (FWAA).
[1] The UPI's All-America team vote count (out of a possible 242) and Heisman Trophy point total, where applicable, is also included in the chart for each of the consensus All-Americans.