The 2019 College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the 2020 class has been released highlighted by Julius Peppers, Josh Heupel, Roy Williams, James Laurinaitis, and other legends to choose from.
Ranking All Players On The 2020 Hall of Fame Ballot
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2020 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 76 players and five coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
So who really deserves to be in?
The massive list of nominees from the NFF is always interesting, and sometimes a bit puzzling. Even more strange is how some players aren’t automatic slam dunks.
I believe in the Danny Ocean to Linus Caldwell approach to the Hall of Fame. Either you’re in or you’re out. Right now.
A Hall of Famer should be obvious, and it’s not just about name recognition. A player’s popularity doesn’t mean he had all-timer of an impact on the sport or was one of the true greats. Perspective is needed, eras and systems have to be considered, and there should be some test of time.
NFL production doesn’t matter in any way, shape or form – this is the COLLEGE Football Hall of Fame – and other factors shouldn’t matter at all. Being worthy of the Hall should only be about what happened on the field during that player’s college career.
Really, Eric Dickerson isn’t in yet?
Really … who were the best of the all-time best players? Welcome to a ranking of all player FBS nominees and coaches based on how much they deserve to be in. A few things to keep in mind before going forward.
1. To set the dial to hypocrite, I might be a champion against performance enhancing drugs, and it’s my career dream to get the smoking gun needed to finally expose a few programs just begging to get tagged, but I’m letting it go when it comes to the Hall of Fame rankings.
2. I know I’m supposed to care if a player was a NFF Scholar-Athlete, but I don’t.
3. Win a Heisman, get in the Hall. That should be an automatic.
4. I don’t care if a player was given cars, cash, girls, or all of the above. Police this and you probably don’t have a College Football Hall of Fame.
5. If you have to make a case why a player deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, he probably doesn’t deserve to be in.
Not only do voters have to take into account all the different eras and all the different aspects of the game’s evolution, but there are also the rules to deal with.
According to the National Football Foundation, to shorten and sum up the criteria:
1. A player has to have been a First Team All-American on a list recognized by the NCAA. No Joe Montana.
2. He’s eligible ten years after his final year of playing.
3. Post-career citizenship is factored into the voting, and an extra boost is given to those who earned a degree. O.J. Simpson is still in.
4. Players must have played within the last 50 years. So to be eligible for the 2020 class, the player had to have finished his career by 1970.
5. A coach is eligible three years after retiring or if he’s older than 70, and active coaches are eligible after age 75. He had to be a head coach for at least ten years and had to have coaches at least 100 games with a .600 minimum winning percentage.
Candidates for the Hall of the Very, Very Good
2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Rankings
Hall of Maybe | Probably Should Be In
No-Doubters (Top 15) | Coaches
These players were fantastic talents for their respective schools, and some might consider them legends, but it’s pushing it to put them in the Hall of Fame category.
All player bullet points taken from the National Football Foundation footballfoundation.org.
76. Brad Culpepper, Florida, Defensive Tackle
– 1991 consensus First Team All-American and recipient of the NFF Campbell Trophy® as the nation’s top scholar-athlete
– Two-time All-SEC selection who led Gators to first-ever SEC title in 1991
– Ranks sixth all-time at Florida with 47.5 career TFL, a school record among defensive lineman.
75. Marvin Harrison, Syracuse, Kick Returner/Wide Receiver
– 1995 First Team All-American as a kick returner and 1995 Big East Special Teams Player of the Year
– Three-time All-Big East selection who set a conference record with a 94-yard punt return for a TD in 1995
– Left Syracuse as the school’s all-time receiving leader (2,718 yards).
74. Ed McCaffrey, Stanford, Wide Receiver
-1990 First Team All-American and two-time Stanford MVP
-1990 First Team All-Pac-10 receiver who led the Cardinal in receiving yards three-of-four years
-Ranks in the top 10 all-time at Stanford with 146 career receptions and 2,333 career receiving yards.
73. Ernie Jennings, Air Force, Wide Receiver
– 1970 consensus First Team All-American, finishing eighth in 1970 Heisman Trophy voting
– Led Air Force to 1971 Sugar Bowl berth
– Holds every single-season and career receiving record at Air Force.
72. Mike Hass, Oregon State, Wide Receiver
– 2005 First Team All-American and recipient of the 2005 Biletnikoff Award
– Two-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection and first receiver in league history with three 1,000-yard receiving seasons
– Led the nation with 139.9 receiving ypg (2005) and holds virtually every Oregon State receiving record.
71. Gregg Carr, Auburn, Linebacker
– 1984 consensus First Team All-American and NFF National Scholar-Athlete
– Three-time First Team All-SEC selection and 1984 SEC Lineman of the Year
– Twice led Auburn in tackles, helping the Tigers to the 1983 SEC title and three consecutive bowl wins.
70. Marco Coleman, Georgia Tech, Linebacker
-1991 First Team All-America pick
-Two-time First Team All-ACC, leading Jackets to the national championship and an 11-0-1 record in 1990
-28 career sacks rank 14th all-time in ACC history.
69. Ron Rivera, California, Linebacker
– 1983 consensus First Team All-American
– Lombardi Award finalist in 1983 and named East-West Shrine Game Most Valuable Player
– Selected as Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1983
– Led team in tackles from 1981-83.
68. Chris Ward, Ohio State, Offensive Tackle
-Two-time First Team All-American (consensus-’76, unanimous-’77)
-Three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection who helped Buckeyes to at least a share of four conference titles
-Blocked for Archie Griffin during second Heisman Trophy-winning campaign.
67. Flozell Adams, Michigan State, Offensive Tackle
-1997 First Team All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year
– Three-time All-Big Ten performer who helped Spartans to three consecutive bowl appearances
– Helped running backs rush for more than 100 yards in 21 games throughout career and allowed only two QB sacks in 1997 season.
66. Tony Gonzalez, California, Tight End
– 1996 consensus First Team All-American and First Team All-Pac-10 selection
– Holds Cal record for receptions in a bowl game (9 in 1996 Aloha Bowl)
– Posted 89 receptions for 1,302 yards and eight touchdowns during career.
65. Morten Andersen, Michigan State, Placekicker
– 1981 First Team All-American who left MSU as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in field goals (45)
– Set still-standing conference record with 63-yard field goal in 1981 and was a three-time All-Big Ten performer
– Led the Spartans in scoring for three seasons.
64. Michael Westbrook, Colorado, Wide Receiver
– 1994 consensus First Team All-American who led Buffs to four bowl berths and four top 20 finishes
– Two-time All-Big Eight performer, leading CU to a share of the 1991 league title
– Still holds eight school records and caught a 64-yard game-winning pass in the 1994 “Miracle at Michigan.”
63. Aaron Beasley, West Virginia, Defensive Back
– 1995 consensus First Team All-American led the nation in INTs (10) in 1994
– Two-time First Team All-Big East selection who led WVU to an undefeated regular season and a 1993 Big East title
– 19 career INTs and holds two of the top five single-season PBU performances in Mountaineer history.
62. Ken Norton Jr., UCLA, Linebacker
– 1987 First Team All-American, leading Bruins to four consecutive bowl wins
– Member of the 1985 conference championship team
– Led team in tackles in 1986 (106) and in 1987 (125) and ranks sixth in school history with 339 career tackles.
61. Kevin Carter, Florida, Defensive End
– 1994 consensus First Team All-American who led the Gators to four-straight bowl games
– Three-time All-SEC performer who helped Florida to SEC titles in 1991, 1993 and 1994
– Ranks in the top 10 all-time at Florida with 21.8 sacks and 42.5 TFL in career.
60. Cade McNown, UCLA, Quarterback
-1998 Consensus First Team All-American and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient
-1998 Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year who led UCLA to consecutive Pac-10 titles in 1997 (shared) and 1998-Holds numerous school records.
59. Dan Hampton, Arkansas, Defensive Tackle
– 1978 First Team All-American and two-time All-SWC selection
– Named 1978 Houston Post Outstanding Player of the Year in the SWC, recording 18 TFL during his senior campaign
– Helped Hogs beat No. 19 Georgia in 1976 Cotton Bowl and No. 2 Oklahoma in 1978 Orange Bowl.
58. Larry Burton, Purdue, Split End
– First Team All-American and Outstanding College Athlete of America in 1974 and a First Team All-Big Ten selection
– Led the team in receiving in both 1973 and 1974
– Named team captain and team MVP in 1974.
57. Jerome Brown, Miami, Defensive Tackle
– 1986 unanimous First Team All-American and finalist for both the Outland and Lombardi trophies as senior
– Helped Canes to four consecutive New Year’s Day bowl games
– Ranks 10th in school history with 21 career sacks.
56. Dallas Clark, Iowa, Tight End
– 2002 unanimous First Team All-American and winner of the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end
– Two-time All-Big Ten selection who helped Iowa to a share of the 2002 Big Ten title and its first-ever 11-win season (2002)
– Holds record for longest pass reception in school history (95 yards).
55. Matt Cavanaugh, Pittsburgh, Quarterback
– 1977 First Team All-American who led the Panthers to a 1976 national title
– Led Pitt to three consecutive bowl wins, earning MVP honors in the 1977 Sugar and 1977 Gator bowls
– Finished Pitt career ranked second all-time (behind only Tony Dorsett) with 3,916 career yards of total offense.
2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Rankings
Hall of Maybe | Probably Should Be In
No-Doubters (Top 15) | Coaches
NEXT: Hall of Maybe, Hall of Should Be In, The No-Doubters (Top 15), Coaches
Candidates for the Hall of Maybe
2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Rankings
Hall of the Very Good | Probably Should Be In
No-Doubters (Top 15) | Coaches
A strong case could be made that any of these players belong in the Hall of Fame discussion.
All player bullet points taken from the National Football Foundation footballfoundation.org.
54. Elmo Wright, Houston, Wide Receiver
-1970 consensus First Team All-American who earned Second Team honors in 1969 and Honorable Mention honors in 1968
– Set an NCAA single-season record of eight TD receptions of 50 yards or more (1968)
– Still holds Houston career records for all-purpose yards per play (21.0 avg.) and yards per reception (21.9 avg.).
53. Ray Lewis, Miami, Linebacker
– 1995 First Team All-American and Butkus Award runner-up
– Led Canes to Fiesta and Orange Bowl appearances and ranks sixth all-time at Miami with 388 career tackles
– Two-time First Team All-Big East performer who twice led the league in tackles.
52. Eric Bieniemy, Colorado, Running Back
– 1990 unanimous First Team All-American and finished third in 1990 Heisman voting
– Played in two national championships, leading Buffs to 1990 national title
– Two-time All-Big Eight pick, still holding eight CU records.
51. Jason Hanson, Washington State, Placekicker
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1989
– Holds numerous NCAA, conference and school records, including longest field goal without a tee (62 yards) and career field goals of 40 yards or more (39)
– Four-time All-Pac-10 selection and 1991 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
50. Jeff Hartings, Penn State-Offensive Lineman
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1995
– Three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection who helped Lions to the 1994 conference title
– Leader of an offensive unit that set 14 single-season school records and led the FBS in scoring (47.8 ppg) in 1994).
49. Marcus Harris, Wyoming, Wide Receiver
-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors as a senior
-1996 Biletnikoff Award winner who finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting and twice led the nation in receiving yards per game
-1996 WAC Offensive Co-Player of the Year who set NCAA record with 4,518 career receiving yards.
48. E.J. Henderson, Maryland, Linebacker
– Only two-time consensus First Team All-American in Terps history
– 2002 Bednarik and Butkus award winner who helped Maryland to an Orange Bowl berth and No. 11 final ranking
– 2001 ACC Player of the Year and two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, leading Terps to the 2001 ACC title.
47. Al Wilson, Tennessee, Linebacker
-1998 consensus First Team All-American who led the Vols to the inaugural BCS national title in 1998
– Helped Tennessee to four postseason berths and four AP top 10 finishes
– Two-time All-SEC performer led Vols to consecutive SEC titles (1997, 1998) and only lost three conference games in career.
46. Steve Wisniewski, Penn State, Offensive Guard
– 1988 First Team All-American
– Member of 1986 12-0 national championship team
– Helped Blair Thomas rush for 1,414 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1987 and D.J. Dozier attain First Team All-America honors in 1986.
45. Troy Vincent, Wisconsin, Defensive Back
– 1991 First Team All-American and runner-up for the 1991 Thorpe Award
– Two-time All-Big Ten selection and 1991 Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year
– Finished career as Wisconsin’s leader in punt return yards (773) and passes defended (31).
44. Craig Heyward, Pittsburgh, Running Back
– 1987 consensus First Team All-American who led the nation in rushing his final season and finished fifth in Heisman voting
– Left Pitt as the second-leading rusher in school history (behind only Tony Dorsett) with 3,086 career rushing yards
– Rushed for at least 100 yards in every game of 1987 season.
43. Kevin Faulk, LSU, Running Back
-1996 First Team All-American who finished career ranked fourth in NCAA history in all-purpose yards (6,833)
-Three-time First Team All-SEC selection and 1995 SEC Freshman of the Year
– Set 11 school records during career and became first LSU back to average 100 yards per game during entire career.
42. Pete Mitchell, Boston College, Tight End
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1994
– Two-time First Team All-Big East performer, leading the conference in catches his last two seasons
– Ranks second all-time at BC in career receptions (190) and third all-time in career receiving yards (2,388).
41. Tim Dwight, Iowa, Kick Returner/Wide Receiver
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1997
– First Team All-Big Ten who placed seventh in 1997 Heisman Trophy voting
– Finished career as Big Ten’s leader in punt return yardage (1,102).
40. Greg Lewis, Washington, Running Back
– 1990 First Team All-American and Doak Walker award winner
– Named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 1990, leading Huskies to 1990 conference title
– Finished seventh in 1990 Heisman voting and recorded 15, 100-yard games.
39. Leslie O’Neal, Oklahoma State, Defensive Tackle
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1985
– Three-time All-Big Eight selection and 1984 Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, who led Pokes to three, straight bowl berths
– Left OSU as school leader in career sacks (34), career TFL (47) and single, season sacks (16).
38. Mark Messner, Michigan, Defensive Tackle
– 1988 unanimous First Team All-American who was a Lombardi Award finalist
– 1988 Big Ten Player of the Year and four-time First Team All-Big Ten selection
– Led Wolverines to four bowl berths and named MVP of 1985 Fiesta Bowl.
37. Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech, Running Back
– 1996 unanimous First Team All-American and recipient of the Doak Walker Award
– Tech’s all-time leader in rushing (4,219) who tied NCAA record by reaching 1,000, yard mark by fifth game of 1996 season
– Three-time All-Big 12 selection, helping Red Raiders to first Cotton Bowl since 1938.
36. Lomas Brown, Florida, Offensive Tackle
– 1984 consensus First Team All-American and two-time All-SEC performer
– Led Gators to three consecutive bowl berths and top 10 national final rankings in 1983 and 1984
– Recipient of Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC’s top blocker in 1984.
35. Justin Smith, Missouri, Defensive Lineman
– 2000 First Team All-American who also earned Freshman All-America honors in 1998
– Two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection who is Mizzou’s all-time leader in career (50) and single-season (24 in 2000) TFL
– Graduated as the Tigers’ career leader in sacks (22.5), now ranking fourth all-time.
34. Larry Seivers, Tennessee, Wide Receiver
-Two-time consensus First Team All-American in 1975 and 1976
– Two-time First Team All-SEC selection
– Currently ranks sixth in Tennessee history in career reception yardage (1,924) and seventh in career receptions (117).
2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Rankings
Hall of the Very Good | Probably Should Be In
No-Doubters (Top 15) | Coaches
NEXT: Hall of Should Be In, The No-Doubters (Top 15), Coaches
Candidates for the Hall of Yeah, They Should Probably Be In
2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Rankings
Hall of the Very Good | Hall of Maybe
No-Doubters (Top 15) | Coaches
Yeah, fine … they should be in when all is said and done.
All player bullet points taken from the National Football Foundation footballfoundation.org.
33. Bobby Majors, Tennessee, Defensive Back
– 1971 unanimous First Team All-American who led Vols to wins in 1971 Sugar Bowl and 1972 Liberty Bowl
– Two-time First Team All-SEC selection still holds conference and school record with 10 INTs in 1971
– Set Tennessee records for career punt returns (117) and career punt return yardage (1,163).
32. Zach Wiegert, Nebraska, Offensive Tackle
– 1994 unanimous First Team All-American and winner of the Outland Trophy
– Led Huskers to 1994 National Championship and 1993 National Championship game appearance
– Three-time All-Big Eight selection who led Nebraska to league titles every year of career.
31. Chris Samuels, Alabama, Offensive Tackle
– 1999 unanimous First Team All-American and Outland Trophy recipient
– Two-time First Team All-SEC selection who led the Tide to a 1999 conference title
– SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner who did not allow a sack the entire 1999 season and blocked for 1,000-yard rusher Shawn Alexander.
30. Larry Jacobson, Nebraska, Defensive Tackle
– 1971 consensus First Team All-American and Outland Trophy recipient
– Led Huskers to back-to-back national titles and three-consecutive conference championships
– 1971 All-Big Eight performer who led Nebraska to a 33-2-1 record during career.
29. Dennis Thurman, USC, Defensive Back
– 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-10 titles.
28. E.J. Junior, Alabama, Defensive End
-1980 unanimous First Team All-American and member of two national championship teams (1978, 1979)
– Three-time First Team All-SEC selection and 1980 SEC Lineman of the Year, who led Tide to two conference titles
– Member of fabled goal-line stand defense vs. Penn State in 1979 Sugar Bowl.
27. David Fulcher, Arizona State, Defensive Back
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in both 1984 and 1985
– Three-time All-Pac-10 selection who led ASU to 1985 Holiday Bowl berth
– Recorded 14 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and 286 tackles in career.
26. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, Running Back/Kick Returner
– 2009 unanimous First Team All-America kick returner, also earning Second Team All-America honors as a running back the same year
– 2009 ACC Player of the Year who set 31 Clemson records by career’s end
– Career all-purpose yards (7,588) ranks first all-time in ACC annals and fourth all-time in NCAA history.
25. Moe Gardner, Illinois, Defensive Tackle
– Two-time First Team All-American (unanimous, ‘89, consensus, ’90)
– 1990 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and 1989 Big Ten Lineman of the Year
– Three-time First Team All-Conference pick and set school record for career TFL (57).
24. Simeon Rice, Illinois, Linebacker
– Two-time First Team All-American and three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection
– Holds conference and school record for career sacks (44.5) and Illini record for career tackles for loss (69)
– Set school record for single, season sacks (16).
23. Anthony Poindexter, Virginia, Defensive Back
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1998
– Three-time All-ACC pick and 1998 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
– Holds five school records and finished career with 342 tackles and 12 interceptions.
22. Josh Heupel, Oklahoma, Quarterback
– 2000 consensus First Team All-American and Walter Camp Player of the Year
– 2000 Heisman Trophy runner-up who led the Sooners to a national title at the 2001 Orange Bowl
– 2000 Big 12 Player of the Year who left OU with virtually every school passing record despite only playing two seasons.
21. Jumbo Elliott, Michigan, Offensive Tackle
– Two-time First Team All-American (consensus, ’87)
– Two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection and member of 1986 Big Ten Co-Champions
– Paved the way for Jamie Morris, who had three-straight 1,000-yard seasons.
20. Aaron Taylor, Notre Dame, Offensive Tackle
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in ’92 and unanimous in ’93
– 1993 Lombardi Award winner and named College Interior Lineman of the Year by Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio)
– Led Irish to four bowl games.
19. Todd Lyght, Notre Dame, Defensive Back
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1989 and consensus laurels in 1990
– Led Irish to 1988 National Championship and perfect 12-0 season as well as national title game appearance in 1991 Orange Bowl
– Thorpe Award finalist who posted 11 career interceptions.
18. Tim Couch, Kentucky, Quarterback
– 1998 consensus First Team All-American who finished fourth in Heisman voting in 1998 and ninth in 1997
– 1998 SEC Player of the Year who led Cats to first win over Alabama in 75 years
– Set seven NCAA, 14 SEC and 26 school records.
17. Corey Moore, Virginia Tech, Defensive Lineman
– Two-time First Team All-American (1999-unanimous) and winner of the 1999 Lombardi and Nagurski awards
– Two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year led Hokies to 2000 National Championship Game
– Leader of Hokies famed “Lunch Pail Defense” that led the nation in rushing defense (85.0 ypg).
16. Steve Hutchinson, Michigan, Offensive Lineman
– 2000 unanimous First Team All-American who led the Wolverines to four bowl wins, including the 1997 National Championship at the Rose Bowl
– One of only seven players in conference history to be named a four-time First Team All-Big Ten selection
– Three-time Big Ten champion.
2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Rankings
Hall of the Very Good | Hall of Maybe
No-Doubters (Top 15) | Coaches
NEXT: The No-Doubters (Top 15), Coaches
Hall of Famers. No Debate.
2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Rankings
Hall of the Very Good | Hall of Maybe
Probably Should Be In | Coaches
Among the greatest players in college football history, or at the very least, are special enough to be in the Hall of Fame without question. Only ten get to go on the ballot, but all these players have to be in.
And before you get grouchy at this in any way, remember, this isn’t about who the most talented players were as much as it is about the most accomplished ones. You get bumped up if you win a Heisman and score extra points for taking a team to a national title.
All player bullet points taken from the National Football Foundation footballfoundation.org.
15. Dan Morgan, Miami, Linebacker
– 2000 unanimous First Team All-American and first player to sweep the Butkus, Bednarik and Nagurski awards in one season
– 2000 Big East Defensive Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-Big East selection
– Canes all-time leader in tackles (532) who started a school-record 45 games.
14. Glenn Dorsey, LSU, Defensive Tackle
– Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 2007
– Led the Tigers to a national title at the 2008 Sugar Bowl after taking home the Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland trophies
– 2007 SEC Defensive Player of the Year who helped LSU finish no lower than No. 5 nationally his last three seasons.
13. Antwaan Randle El, Indiana, Quarterback
– 2001 First Team consensus All-American
– First player in FBS history to pass for 6,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards in career
– Rushed for more yards than any QB in FBS history upon conclusion of career.
12. Keith Byars, Ohio State, Running Back
– Unanimous First Team All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up who led nation in rushing (1,764), all-purpose yards (2,441) and scoring (144) in 1984
– 1984 Big Ten MVP and two-time All-Big Ten selection
– Ranks fifth all-time at OSU with 4,369 career all-purpose yards and 3,200 career rushing yards.
11. Mark Carrier, USC, Defensive Back
– Two-time First Team All-American (1988-89) – unanimous in 1989
– Jim Thorpe Award winner (1989)
– Two-time First Team All-Conference selection. Led the Pac-10 in interceptions in 1989 with seven.
10. Kenneth Sims, Texas, Defensive Tackle
– Two-time First Team All-American (1980-consensus, 1981-unanimous) and recipient of the 1981 Lombardi Award
– Finished eighth in 1981 Heisman Trophy voting and led Longhorns to four bowl berths
– Two-time First Team All-SWC performer who ranks fourth in school history with 29 career sacks.
9. David Pollack, Georgia, Defensive Lineman
– Three-time First Team All-American (consensus in 2002, 2004) and recipient of the 2004 Lombardi and Bednarik awards
– Two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year who led Bulldogs to consecutive SEC title games
– UGA’s all-time leader in sacks (36) and tackles for loss (58.5).
8. Julius Peppers, North Carolina, Defensive End
– 2001 unanimous First Team All-American and winner of the 2001 Bednarik and Lombardi awards
– Two-time First Team All-ACC selection, leading the conference in TFL (24) and sacks (15) in 2000
– 2001 Chevrolet Defensive Player of the Year who finished 10th in Heisman Trophy voting
7. Andre Tippett, Iowa, Defensive End
– 1981 consensus First Team All-American who led Hawkeyes to 1982 Rose Bowl berth
– Two-time First Team All-Big Ten performer, leading Iowa to 1981 Big Ten championship
– Holds Iowa record for tackle for loss yardage (153 yards/20 TFL).
6. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, Linebacker
– Three-time First Team All-American (consensus-2006, 2008; unanimous-2007)
– Two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year who led the Buckeyes to two national championship games and four consecutive conference titles
– 2007 Butkus and 2006 Nagurski recipient, leading OSU in tackles three-straight seasons.
5. Rashaan Salaam, Colorado, Running Back
– 1994 unanimous First Team All-American and Heisman Trophy winner
– 1994 Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award recipient
– 1994 Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year who led nation in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards.
4. Eric Crouch, Nebraska, Quarterback
– 2001 Heisman, Walter Camp and Davey O’Brien Award winner who led Huskers to 2001 national title game at the Rose Bowl
– Finished career as NCAA record holder for career rushing TDs by a quarterback (59)
– Led team to 42-9 record and four bowl berths.
3. Eric Dickerson, SMU, Running Back
– Named unanimous First Team All-American and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1982
– Twice named SWC Player of the Year, he holds 14 SMU records including career rushing yards (4,450).
2. Roy Williams, Oklahoma, Defensive Back
– 2001 unanimous First Team All-American. Nagurski and Thorpe winner
– 2001 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
– Led Sooners to the first 13-win season in program history and a national championship (2000)
1. Carson Palmer, USC, Quarterback
– 2002 consensus First Team All-American and Heisman Trophy recipient
– 2002 Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year who set conference/school career records for total offense (11,621 yds) and passing yards (11,818)
– Led USC to a share of the 2002 Pac-10 title and first 11-win season since 1979.
NEXT: Coaches
FBS Coaches On The Ballot
2020 Hall of Fame Ballot Rankings
Hall of the Very Good | Hall of Maybe
Probably Should Be In | No-Doubters (Top 15)
5. Pete Cawthon Sr., Austin College [Texas] (1923-27), Texas Tech (1930-40)
– Led Tech to four Border Conference titles in 11 seasons at the helm
– Led 1938 team to 10-0 regular season and the school’s first-ever Cotton Bowl appearance
– Boasts highest win percentage (69.3) among Tech coaches with terms of three years or more.
4. Jim Carlen, West Virginia (1966-69), Texas Tech (1970-74), South Carolina (1975-81)
– Led teams to eight bowl games and 13 winning seasons in 16 years as head coach
– 1973 National Coach of the Year
– Three-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year
Coached Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers at South Carolina.
3. Billy Jack Murphy, Memphis (1958-71)
– All-time winningest coach in Memphis history
– Had 11 winning seasons and retired as the 15th winningest coach in the nation
– Member of the Memphis Hall of Fame and Mississippi State Hall of Fame.
2. Larry Blakeney-Troy (1991-2014)
-All-time winningest coach in Sun Belt Conference history
– Four-time conference Coach of the Year who led the Trojans to eight conference titles (5 – Sun Belt, 3 – Southland) and seven FCS playoff appearances in eight seasons
– ed Troy to four bowl games, including wins at the 2006 and 2010 New Orleans Bowl.
1. Darryl Rogers-Cal State East Bay [formerly Cal State Hayward] (1965), Fresno State (1966-72), San Jose State (1973-75), Michigan State (1976-79), Arizona State (1980-84)
– Took Fresno State to two bowl games
– Achieved an unprecedented national ranking at San Jose State
– Was Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1977 and National Coach of the Year by Sporting News in 1978
– Won the Big Ten title in 1978.
