TAMPA, FL. - There is no question about it – George Selvie is the best defensive lineman in USF history.
- Two-time First Team All-American
- 2007 BIG EAST Defensive Players of the Year
- Holds USF records for game, season, and career sacks/tackles for loss
“I didn’t understand what I was seeing the first time George Selvie was playing here,” said Jim Louk, the voice of USF Athletics. “Just so dominant and so fast and the plays he made running down running backs from behind and knocking the ball away – complete dominance.”
A native of Pensacola, Selvie came to USF to play offensive line. Instead, he started 50 game at defensive end for the Bulls en route to becoming a two-time first team All-American.
“I was here to help make history,” said Selvie, who remembered making the switch from center to defensive line. “Being there and seeing the team go from 4-6; two years later we are number two in the nation. We had great players on that team.”
Not many could boast the type of career that Selvie had. To this day, Selvie holds game, season and career records for sacks and tackles for loss.
As his game grew, Selvie became a household name among USF fans.
“I can vividly remember working in my office in the Selmon Center looking out my window and watching the autograph hunters kind of hang out by the practice fields,” Louk said. “Of course, they were waiting for George Selvie.”
One of the positives of having that type of notoriety is fans in the stands. Something Selvie remembers fondly to this day.
“We had the crowd going. Everybody supported us – the whole city of Tampa Bay was behind us, it was electrifying, and it drove us,” said Selvie. “We need to get back to that. We can do it.”
A decade removed from taking USF Football to the program’s peak – George Selvie was given the highest honor for a USF Athlete: Being inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.
“I had a chance to leave this university two years early, but I stayed because I love USF and I bleed green and gold,” said Selvie during his Hall of Fame induction speech.
“He really kind of help put USF in putting another chapter for USF Football and the many accolades over our first 23 years,” said USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly, who helped renew the USF Hall of Fame with its first class since 2013.
“ Remembering all the good times that I had and they’re commemorating all the highlights I had in college and all the good stuff I did for the football team,” said Selvie. “It’s amazing to me.”
One of USF’s best football players ever…now part of forever.
For George Selvie – a lifetime of hard work has finally paid off as he sees himself sitting in the USF Hall of Fame.