Tag: college football hall of fame

Two former Ohio State Buckeyes on College Football Hall of Fame ballot

The College Football Hall of Fame has listed its finalist and includes two former Buckeyes. #GoBucks

The College Football Hall of Fame has announced its finalist for the 2024 Hall of Fame class. Among the 78 players to make the cut are two former Buckeyes, James Laurinaitis, and Chris Ward.

Laurinaitis was a three-time first-team All-American while starring in Scarlet and Gray in the mid-2000s. He was a unanimous selection in 2007. The OSU linebacker helped lead the Bucks to four Big Ten conference championships and back-to-back appearances in the BCS national championship game. Laurinaitis earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice and also won the Bronco Nagurski trophy in 2006 and the Butkus Award in 2007. He finished his Ohio State career with 375 tackles, including 13 sacks and 9 interceptions.

Chris Ward suited up for the Buckeyes in the mid-1970s on the offensive line. Ward earned three all-conference selections and was a two-time All-American selection in 1976 and unanimous in 1977. Ward was part of the line that opened holes for two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin and helped lead the Buckeyes to at least a share of four Big Ten championships.

Voters have until June 30 to cast their ballots. Inductees will be announced early next year with the induction ceremony taking place on December 10, 2024.

This is the fifth time James Laurinaitis has been on the ballot and the sixth time for Chris Ward.

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Alabama legend Antonio Langham named to 2024 CFB Hall of Fame ballot

Legendary Alabama football defensive back Antonio Langham named to the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot!

Alabama football legend Antonio Langham has been named to the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

Langham is famously known for his fourth-quarter pick-six of Florida Gators quarterback Shane Matthews in the 1992 SEC Championship which gave the Crimson Tide the lead and eventual victory.

Langham picked off a total of 19 passes in his four-year career with Alabama which remains the most all-time in Crimson Tide football history.

Langham would then go on to become a first-round pick in the 1994 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns where Nick Saban was the defensive coordinator and would spend a total of seven seasons in the NFL collecting 14 career interceptions in 102 games played.

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3 former Chiefs on ballot for 2024 College Football Hall of Fame

Several former #Chiefs are on the ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

The National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Football Hall of Fame have announced players on the ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Eric Berry, Derrick Johnson and Jeremy Maclin were selected for induction into the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame class this December. A new trio of former Chiefs, including a player, an executive and a coach, have an opportunity to earn their recognition as a college football Hall of Famer this time around.

Here are a few criteria that these newcomers had to meet in order to receive consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024:

  1. You must have been named a First-Team All-American during your playing days.
  2. A minimum of 10 years must have passed since your final season of college football. No more than 50 years can have passed since your last college football game.
  3. Post-football records and academic record matters.
  4. College coaches can become nominated three years after retirement, but active coaches can be nominated if they reach 75 years of age.

Now that the ballot has been released, votes will be submitted to the NFF’s Honors Courts. They’ll deliberate and decide on the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame class, with an announcement slated for early January. Without further ado, here’s a look at the three players up for enshrinement in the class of 2024:

Former Texas A&M Cornerback Kevin Smith has been included on the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Former Texas A&M cornerback Kevin Smith has officially been included on the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot.

On Monday, The National Football Foundation (NFF) released the official 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, and for Texas A&M, former cornerback Kevin Smith, one of the greatest players to ever step foot on Kyle Field, is right on the periphery of being rightfully inducted. Smith was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

Smith saw his name listed among 78 players and nine coaches from the FBS, while 101 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks made up the rest of the ballot. From 1988-1991, Kevin Smith set multiple school records during Texas A&M’s reign in the Southwest Conference, including the career interception record at 20 in four seasons, which has yet to be broken.

During the memorable 1991 campaign, Smith helped anchor the No.1-ranked defense in the country, as the Aggies only allowed 224.4 yards per contest, as his NFL value steadily increased after the season. Due to his outstanding play, Smith was a three-time first-team All-SWC named an All-American during the previous 1991 season.

Smith went on to be drafted at No.17 overall in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, where in nine seasons from 1992-2000, helped guide the Cowboys to three Super Bowls (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) and was Second-Team All-Pro in 1996.

As Membership voting continues through June 30, the final induction occurs during the NFF Annual Award dinner on Dec. 10. Congratulations, Kevin! Gig ‘Em forever!

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Ron Rivera, Eric Bieniemy on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for 2024

Alex Smith and Antwaan Randle El were among other former Washington players who were on the ballot.

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Several former and current members of the Washington NFL organization were named on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Among those prominent names are current head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Rivera played at California from 1980-83, leading the Golden Bears in tackles in each of his final three seasons. Rivera was a consensus All-American in 1983 and the Pac-12 defensive player of the year. Rivera was a second-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1984, where he played nine NFL seasons.

Bieniemy played for Colorado from 1987-90, finishing his college career with 3,940 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns. He led the Buffaloes to a national championship in 1990.

Other former Washington players — and a coach — were also on the ballot:

  • QB Alex Smith [Utah]: 2018-20 w/Washington
  • DE Marco Coleman [Georgia Tech]: 1999-2001 w/Washington
  • WR Antwaan Randle El [Indiana]: 2006-09 w/Washington
  • S Mark Carrier [USC] 2000 w/Washington
  • RB Ki-Jana Carter [Penn State] 2001 w/Washington
  • QB Matt Cavanaugh [Pitt]: Washington’s QB coach/OC from 2015-19

Congratulations to each of the nominees.

Trio of Penn State players on 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

These three former Penn State football greats are on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for 2024.

For the second striaght year, Penn State has three players on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. Former linebacker [autotag]Paul Posluszny[/autotag] and former running backs [autotag]Ki-Jana Carter[/autotag] and [autotag]D.J. Dozier[/autotag] were among the names on the ballot for this year’s College Football Hall of Fame ballot, which was officially revealed on Monday by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. All three players appeared on the ballot last year as well.

This is Carter’s second appearance on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot, and he has a chance to join former teammate Kerry Collins, who was inducted into the hall of fame in 2018. Carter was a first-team All-American during Penn State’s undefeated 1994 season and ended his Penn State career as one of the best backs to ever come through the program. Carter was a runner-up to 1994 Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam of Colorado and a finalist for the Maxwell Award, which was won by Collins. Carter ended his career earning co-MVP honors in the 1995 Rose Bowl victory over Oregon with 156 rushing yards, highlighted by a memorable 83-yard touchdown on Penn State’s first offensive play of the game.

Carter went on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft of the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent a total of 10 years in the NFL.

Dozier was also a first-team All-American for Penn State in 1986. He is the only player in school history to lead the Nittany Lions in rushing for four consecutive seasons and he was a key offensive piece of Penn State’s 1986 national championship run. It was Dozier who scored the game-winning touchdown for Penn State in its upset victory over No. 1 Miami in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl.

Posluszny was a two-time First Team All-American, including as a consensus pick in 2005, and he is one of two players to win the Chuck Bednarik Award twice (Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald is the other, doing so in 1995 and 1996). Posluzny also owns a Butkus Award and was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten player. Posluszny was also a National Football Foundation scholar-athlete in 2006.

Penn State currently has 20 inductees in the College Football Hall of Fame. The most recent inductee is former linebacker LaVar Arrington, who was officially enshrined in 2022.

Every College Football Hall of Fame member from Penn State

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Former LSU LB Bradie James named to 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

James played at LSU from 1999-02, earning back-to-back First Team All-SEC honors as well as becoming a First Team All-American in his final season.

Former standout Tigers linebacker [autotag]Bradie James[/autotag] could be the latest LSU Tiger to join the College Football Hall of Fame.

James was among the players nominated by the National Football Foundation for the 2024 induction class on Monday. In total, 78 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision were named to the ballot in addition to 101 players and 32 coaches from the lower divisions.

James played at LSU from 1999-02, earning back-to-back First Team All-SEC honors in 2001 and 2002 while also being named a First Team All-American in the latter season.

The Monroe native played professionally for 10 seasons, most of which was with the Dallas Cowboys (2003-11), which drafted him in the fourth round. He spent his final season with the Houston Texans.

Here are the eligibility rules for the College Football Hall of Fame:

  • First and foremost, a player must have received First-Team All-America recognition by a selector that is recognized by the NCAA and utilized to comprise its consensus All-America teams.
  • A player becomes eligible for consideration by the Foundation’s Honors Courts 10 full seasons after his final year of intercollegiate football played.
  • While each nominee’s football achievements in college are of prime consideration, his post-football record as a citizen is also weighed. He must have proven himself worthy as a citizen, carrying the ideals of football forward into his relations with his community. Consideration may also be given for academic honors and whether the candidate earned a college degree.
  • Players must have played their last year of intercollegiate football within the last 50 years.* For example, to be eligible for the 2024 ballot, the player must have played his last year in 1974 or thereafter. In addition, players who are playing professionally and coaches who are coaching on the professional level are not eligible until after they retire.
  • A coach becomes eligible three full seasons after retirement or immediately following retirement provided he is at least 70 years of age. Active coaches become eligible at 75 years of age. He must have been a head football coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage.
  • Nominations may only be submitted by the current athletics director, head coach or sports information director (SID) of a candidate’s collegiate institution. Nominations may also be submitted by the president/executive director of a dues-paying chapter of the National Football Foundation.

James looks to become the 12th LSU player to join the College Football Hall of Fame with the most recent being 2022 inductee [autotag]Kevin Faulk[/autotag]. James was also a nominee for the 2023 induction class.

The 2024 induction class will be announced sometime early next year.

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Former Notre Dame DB nominated for College Football Hall of Fame

Best of luck, Todd!

[autotag]Todd Lyght[/autotag] is a name associated with what many say was the last truly great era of Notre Dame football. He was a defensive back when the Irish won their last national championship in 1988 and got even better in the seasons that followed. Now, he has a chance to be enshrined as he is among 78 players nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 class.

Lyght was a consensus All-American in 1989 and 1990. Eight of his 11 career interceptions came in 1989 and are tied for third-most on the Irish’s single-season list. No Irish defender has picked off eight passes in a season since. He also broke up 20.5 passes in his career, which rank eighth in program history since pass breakups began being tracked in 1956.

More than a decade after finishing a 12-year NFL career, mostly with the Rams, Lyght began a tenure as Brian Kelly’s defensive backs coach. That lasted from 2015 to 2019. As such, he played a key role in the Irish making the 2018 College Football Playoff.

The results of the voting won’t be known until early next year, but let’s hope for the best for Lyght.

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USC’s Mark Carrier, Dennis Thurman make 2024 College FB Hall of Fame ballot

Two great #USC defensive stars, both in the secondary, made the latest College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

The new College Football Hall of Fame ballot, which will be used for the selection of members in the Class of 2024, has been released.

Two USC Trojans made the ballot, both from the secondary.

Mark Carrier and Dennis Thurman are two elite players from the Men of Troy’s glorious past. USC has had two Mark Carriers, so we remind you that this Mark Carrier (the one on the Hall of Fame ballot) is the safety, not the wide receiver.

The National Football Foundation offered notes on each player in conjunction with the ballot release.

On Carrier, the NFF gathered these details:

“Two-time First Team All-American (1988-89), earning unanimous honors in 1989…1989 Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top defensive back…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection…Led the Pac-10 in interceptions in 1989 with seven.”

This was the entry for Thurman:

“Two-time First Team All-American who led Trojans to four consecutive postseason wins, including the 1974 national championship at the Rose Bowl…Two-time all-conference selection who helped USC to two Pac-8 titles.”

We have written about Carrier and Thurman. Check our archives for more on these and other USC Trojans who made it big in the NFL.

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College Football Hall of Fame releases 2024 ballot

The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot has been announced.

On Monday, the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame announced their 2024 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. The ballot includes 78 former FBS standouts as well as nine former head coaches. There are also an additional 101 players and 32 coaches from the FCS, Division II, and Division III.

It’s a ballot that contains a great number of former stars. Names that are on the ballot include Montee Ball (Wisconsin) Eric Bienemy (Colorado), Ken Dorsey (Miami FL), Warrick Dunn (Florida State) Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh), Josh Heupel (Oklahoma), James Lauriniatis (Ohio State), Ryan Leaf (Washington State), Marshawn Lynch (California), Naloti Ngata (Oregon), Julius Peppers (North Carolina), Paul Posluzny (Penn State), Alex Smith (Utah), Terrell Suggs (Arizona State), and Michael Vick (Virginia Tech).

FBS coaches on the ballot from the FBS level are; Larry Blakeney, Jim Carlen, Pete Cawthon Sr, Larry Coker, Mark Dantonio, Ralph Friedgen, Darryl Rogers, Frank Solich, and Tommy Tuberville.

Members of the NFF will be able to vote for up to 12 FBS players and two FBS coaches. Voting runs through the end of June. The College Football Hall of Fame’s induction classes are usually released in early January. Notable members of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame include Eric Berry, Reggie Bush, Luke Kueckly, Tim Tebow, Paul Johnson, and Mark Richt.