[1]: 120 [3] Senior Team players drafted into the AFL (American Football League) [6] Harold Lucas, Tackle, Round 3 Boston Patriots.
Honorable Mention – Bob Viney, Don Bierowicz, Buddy Owens, David Techlin, Dwight Lee.
[6] Junior Lettermen include: Bob Brawley, Fred Convertini, Walt Forman, Pat Gallinagh, Phil Hoag, Clint Jones, Jerry Jones, Dick Kenney, Larry Lukasik #17 QB-DB, John Mullen #15 QB, Bubba Smith, Jim Summers, Charles Thornhill, Gene Washington, George Webster, Jerry West.
[6] Sophomore Lettermen include: Bob Apisa, Sterling Armstrong, George Chatlos, Drake Garrett, Norm Jenkins, Dwight Lee, Jess Phillips, Mitch Pruiett, Joe Przybycki, Jimmy Raye, Dave Techlin.
[6] Non-letter players include: Frank Altimore #37 RB, *Thomas Ammirato #69 OG, *Michael Bradley #47 LB, Phil Brittain #96 DT, William Bruce #21 FB, *Anthony Conti #75 LB, Emil Demko #41 DT, Michael Dissinger #93 OE, *Peter Dotlich #89 OE, William Grimes #97 DE, *John Grogan #30 OHB, Marty Hain #27 OHB, *Maurice Haynes #87 OE, Kenneth Heft #28 OHB, *James Hoye #35 OHB, *John Kettunen #81 OE, *Robert Lange #83 OE, *Charles Lowther #24 QB, *Russell Malone #88 OT, Clinton Meadows #98 DT, Eddy McLoud #46 DT, Dennis Miller #73 DT, Ernest Pasteur #43 DE, Wade Payne #40 DHB, *Ronald Ranieri #54 C, Richard Reahm #66 DG, Keith Redd #49 C, *Jeffrey Richardson #64 C, *Anthony Rutherford #56 LB, Thomas Skidmore #72 OT, *Lawrence Smith #52 C, Roger Stewart #22 DHB, Solomon Townsend #77 OT, John Whalen #48 OG, Michael Woodward #94 DT.
Interception returns Don Japinga – 4 -- 44yds Jim Summers – 3 -- 36yds Jess Phillips – 3 -- 11yds Charlie Thornhill – 2 -- 37yds Buddy Owens – 1 -- 14yds Ron Goovert – 1 -- 4yds Bob Viney – 1 -- 0yds George Webster – 1 -- 0yds Mitch Pruiett – 1 -- 0yds Post-season recognition include: Stephen Juday, National Football Hall of Fame Graduate Fellowship Award, Big Ten Golden Helmet Award.
Stephen Juday, Potsy Ross Trophy – (scholar-athlete) and Governor of Michigan Award (MVP).
In addition, athletic director Clarence Munn (1959) and head coach Duffy Daugherty (1984) were also inducted.
He was named "National Coach of the Year" by the Football Writer's Association at the conclusion of the 1965 season for the second time (1955).
Backfield, Cal Stoll Ends, Gordon Serr Offensive Line, Ed Rutherford Freshman and Gayle Robinson served as team trainer.
[6] First Team All-Americans: Bob Apisa fullback, Ron Goovert linebacker, Clint Jones halfback, Steve Juday quarterback, Harold Lucas middle guard, Charles "Bubba" Smith defensive end, Gene Washington split end, George Webster rover back.
[6] Team Captains Don Japinga DB, Steve Juday QB, along with DT Donald Bierowicz and TE James Proebstle earned Academic All Big Ten Conference honors.
[6] In the schedule below you will notice the Spartans were not ranked in the Associated Press (AP) preseason "Top 10" poll released September 13, 1965.
The AP preseason poll did rank opponents Notre Dame #3, Michigan #4, Purdue #9, Ohio State #10.
(3 of which were away games) The Spartan defense held Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame to negative rushing yards.
The Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio named Michigan State "The Best Football Team with the Most Demanding Schedule" known as the Robert Zuppke Award.
The Helms Athletic Foundation, The Sporting News, and the Washington Touchdown Club named the Spartans "Team of the Year".
[9] The Helms Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles, founded by Paul Helms and Bill Schroeder operated Halls of Fame for a variety of sports, named All-American teams for college football and basketball, and selected a college football national champion.