Ten icons of sports in the Natural State were announced as the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 over the weekend.
Three of the 10 are former Arkansas football players.
Quarterback Ryan Mallett, running back Peyton Hillis and tight end/offensive lineman Jason Peters headlined the class that also includes Carla Crowder, Glen Day, Jeff Glassbrenner, Al Flanigan, Ed Harris and Eric Jackson.
Peters is largely considered the greatest NFL player to come out of Arkansas. He played tight end for the Razorbacks from 2000-2003, but made a major mark in the pros where he has been named a Pro Bowler nine times and an All-Pro seven times. Peters is now in his 19th year in the league, playing tackle for the Seattle Seahawks.
Hillis is a native of Conway and played fullback for Arkansas from 2004-2007. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, but exceeded expectations by having a seven-year career. His best season was in 2010 when he ran for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns, a year good enough to see him named cover athlete for the Madden video game franchise heading into the following year.
Mallett is a Texarkana graduate who also spent a bulk of his childhood in nearby Lincoln. After a season at Michigan, Mallett transferred to Arkansas where in just two years he became the schol’s all-time leading passer before playing in the NFL for six seasons. Tragically, Mallett drowned in the summer of 2023.
The introduction ceremony for the Hall of Fame will take place April 19, 2024.