While it's not uncommon to see players in their late 30s and 40s in the NFL, the prevailing notion that age is a limiting factor in college football is becoming increasingly inaccurate. The landscape of collegiate football has evolved to a point where age is no longer a significant deterrent. We now witness seasoned veterans, aged 40, 50, and beyond, taking the field at universities. Despite the challenges posed by physicality, endurance, and competition, these stars manage to participate in at least one or two games. Perhaps you're wondering whom Wintips is referring to. Let's delve into the oldest college football players list below to uncover the answer.
List of oldest college football players today
1/ Cam McCormick
As a fifth-year TE preparing to play for the Miami Hurricanes, Cam McCormick sent shockwaves through the college football world when he announced his decision to return to the field, considering his injury history. Turning 26 in April, McCormick began his career with the Oregon Ducks and was recruited alongside Eagles QB Jalen Hurts.
Since then, Hurts has led his team to the Super Bowl and boasts one of the biggest contracts in professional sports. McCormick missed the 2019 and 2020 seasons due to injury and sat out in 2021 after suffering an Achilles injury in two games during the season. The NCAA granted his eighth and ninth-year eligibility request in 2022.
2/ Jordy Sandy - Oldest college football players
Jordy Sandy was born in 1991 to Brett Sandy and Sharon Sandy in Traralgon, Victoria, Australia. He also has three siblings - Josh Sandy, Ryan Sandy, and Connor Sandy. His family is his biggest support system, and he deeply cherishes them, often sharing photos with them on his social media accounts.
Sandy began playing football when he enrolled at ProKick Australia for training. After working at a paper mill to make ends meet, he decided to pursue a career in football. Following his training in the sport, he received a scholarship to the United States from coach Gary Patterson of TCU in 2019. Since then, he has been playing for TCU's Horned Frogs as a punter.
3/ Hugh Robertson - Oldest college football players
When people think of their favorite football players, they often envision midfielders or skillful forwards. However, players on the defensive side of the pitch seem to rarely receive the love and attention they deserve. But Illinois Fighting Illini footballer Hugh Robertson is undoubtedly poised to become a beloved figure among Illinois fans.
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Robertson has captivated audiences with his engaging personality, speaking eloquently on a myriad of topics. He also touches on how the transition process has been smoother due to the lack of language barriers.
4/ Luke Larsen
Luke Larsen, the oldest player on the team, is entering his third season in the program. The Australian joined the Buccaneers in 2020, a year not counted towards anyone's eligibility due to the pandemic. He gained valuable experience in his first year at the school and eventually transitioned to redshirt status in 2021, serving as a top backup for Jonn Young.
According to head coach Mike Houston, "I think Luke has been incredibly resilient," Houston said after Wednesday's practice, a particularly intense day of competition for the teams. "He's a really smooth operator. He has a good feel for the game."
5/ Matt Ganyard - Oldest college football players
At the age of 34, UVA footballer Matt Ganyard is currently the oldest active D1 college soccer player this season, according to UVAToday. A father of two, he is currently studying at the UVA Darden School of Business, having earned a degree from a similar university in 2011.
He tried out for the team during his college years but was cut in 2009. He then went on to serve time in the United States Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot. After his discharge, he returned to Virginia to enroll at Darden, and things have been stable since then.
6/ James Stefanou - Oldest college football players
At the age of 33, James Stefanou of the University of Colorado Boulder was the oldest active soccer player in 2020 until he retired from the team. Originally from Australia, Stefanou had never played organized soccer in the United States before joining his college team in 2017.
He gained some experience playing American football for ProKick Australia, which helped Australian athletes develop the necessary skills to transition to American colleges and the NFL. Although Stefanou didn't grow up playing American-style football, he has always been an athlete. He played soccer and was part of the U19 team, a developmental squad and reserve team for Australia's Olympic team.
7/ Tim Frisby
While Tim Frisby may not be as old as most players on this list, he was 39 years old when he walked onto the football tryouts for the University of South Carolina in 2004. Frisby remained in top physical condition after serving as a U.S. Army Green Beret during the First Gulf War and in Kosovo.
Frisby played as a wide receiver for the University of South Carolina until 2005 when he was 40 years old. His time on the field garnered significant attention, and Frisby even had plans to turn his life story into a movie. In his most recent update in 2014, Frisby was working as a personal trainer at Gold's Gym.
8/ Bob Schembre - Oldest college football players
There isn't much information available about Bob Schembre - for whatever reason, his story wasn't covered by any major news outlets - but he joined the Westminster College football team in 2008 when he was 51 years old (turning 52 later that year).
Schembre's two sons had previously played football for Westminster, and he arranged a meeting with the coach intending to discuss his sons. However, Schembre told the coach that he wanted to play for the team himself. The coach gave Schembre a chance, and he ultimately made it onto the team.
9/ Tom Thompson - Oldest college football players
Joe Thomas Sr., father of the Dallas Cowboys' Joe Thomas Jr., holds the record for being the oldest player to ever compete in NCAA Division I football. Thomas played in 2016 for South Carolina State University at the age of 55. During the game, Thomas, a running back, carried the ball for three yards.
Thomas grew up near South Carolina State University and always wanted to play football at the college level. Although Thomas had played in high school and was a promising running back, he was unable to play competitively when he was younger. When Thomas Jr. enrolled in the university, Thomas Sr. decided that he would also play alongside his son.
10/ Mike Flynt
Before his record was broken in 2009 by Tom Thompson, Mike Flynt was the oldest known NCAA college football player in history. At the age of 59, Flynt re-enrolled at his alma mater, Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, to play football for one more year. Flynt said he always regretted being kicked off the team - due to being involved in some fights on campus - before his senior year of college.
Unlike some of the oldest players on this list, Flynt may have had a special advantage as he maintained good physical fitness while working as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Nebraska, Oregon, and Texas A&M. Knowing he still qualified to play at Sul Ross State, Flynt tried out and made the team.
Conclude
In conclusion, the realm of college football has seen remarkable displays of resilience and dedication from its oldest players. These individuals, defying age barriers, continue to contribute their talents and passion to the game, inspiring teammates and fans alike. Their enduring commitment serves as a testament to the timeless allure of football and the indomitable spirit of those who pursue it. Hope the content of the top bookmaker is website will satisfy you and have more interesting sports knowledge.
See also: Top 10 oldest football players so far in the world
