In the long history of UConn Football, there have been 9 defensive players who've been selected as All Americans. But only one has ever gotten the distinction as a "first team" All American. The year was 1983 and the player was John Dorsey. A strapping 6-2, 240lb linebacker from Leonardtown, Maryland who from 1980-83 racked up the most tackles a UConn Football Player has ever made...495. One of only four with at least 400 (Lawrence Wilson, Troy Ashley & Maurice Lloyd). "Bama" by the way a distant second at 449. Dorsey and fellow linebacker Vernon Hargreaves racked up 888 tackles during their time together in Storrs. Hargreaves named a third team All American in 1983.
In the spring of 1984, Dorsey was a 4th round pick (99th overall) of the Green Bay Packers, where he spent five seasons as an active player. His best season was his rookie season of 84' when he made 35 tackles on special teams, which remains a team record. But a knee injury prior to the 1989 season opener effectively ended his career, but Dorsey didn't want his football career to end. And his front office life began.
A scout and director of college scouting with the Packers...And when Mike Holmgren went to Seattle, he took Dorsey with him where he'd spend the next three seasons as the Seahawks Director of Player Personnel before resigning in 2000 to return to Green Bay to return as Director of College Scouting and later, Director of Football Operations. Where he's credited in helping the Packers become a solid drafting club. Taking the likes of Aaron Rogers, Clay Matthews and Greg Jennings.
That led to Dorsey's first GM job in 2013 with the Kansas City Chiefs where he worked alongside Coach Andy Reid. After a 43-21 record that took KC to the playoffs three times in four seasons, Dorsey and the Chiefs mutually agreed to part ways. Management clashes and salary cap issues among the reasons. But before he left, Dorsey made three key picks that helped vault the Chiefs to a Super Bowl Champions. Drafting Speedy Wideout Tyreek Hill. Stud TE Travis Kelsey and QB Patrick Mahomes.
The last stop on the Dorsey tour, Cleveland. December 7, 2017 to be exact. Where he starting drafting wisely and attempting to turn the Browns into a AFC North Contender. First, QB Baker Mayfield and CB Denzel Ward among the first four picks. RB Nick Chubb and WR Antonio Calloway while trading for WR Jarvis Landry from Miami. After the 7-8-1 season, he acquired Landry's teammate at LSU, Odell Beckham, Jr...for 2019, but the Browns, dealing with a coaching carousel again missed the playoffs where Dorsey's stayin Cleveland was short lived. Fired as soon as the season ended.
Dorsey has been twice married and has four kids. He's run in and completed multiple marathons and is an avid waterskier per Wikopedia. But to this day, #99 John Dorsey is still the Huskies All Time leading tackler and will always remain as the first - First Team-All American in UConn Football History