Derrick Brooks, Rod Woodson, 12 others inducted into Hall of Fame
unveiled the newest members of the College Football Hall of Fame on Friday.
The National Football FoundationFrom a national ballot of 76 All-America players and five coaches from the FBS level and 92 players and 27 coaches from the lower ranks of collegiate football, 14 players and two coaches were announced as the 2016 Hall of Fame class.
“We are extremely proud to announce the 2016 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” said Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer. “Each of these men has established himself among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments.”
Players inducted:
Marlin Briscoe – Quarterback, University of Nebraska Omaha (1964-67)
Briscoe is the first player from Nebraska Omaha to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Briscoe set 22 school records during his time with the program. He threw for 2,283 yards and a school record 25 touchdowns as a senior. He is currently second in school history with 53 career touchdown passes and third all-time with 5,114 passing yards.
Derrick Brooks – Linebacker, Florida State University (1991-94)
Brooks was a first team All America selection during his standout career at Florida State and helped the program win its first national title in 1993. He was a three-time first team All-ACC selection and 1994 ACC Player of the Year before his illustrious NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is the sixth Seminole player to be selected for the Hall of Fame.
Tom Cousineau – Linebacker, Ohio State University (1975-78)
Cousineau, the 25th Ohio State player to enter the Hall, was a two-time All America selection under Hall of Fame coach Woody Hayes. He holds six program records and his 569 career tackles is second in OSU history. He was a three-time All-Big Ten choice, led the Buckeyes to three Big Ten titles and was named MVP of the 1977 Orange Bowl.
Randall Cunningham – Quarterback/Punter, UNLV (1982-84)
Cunningham is UNLV’s career leader in passing and punting and is the first player from that program to enter the Hall of Fame. Cunningham was first-team all conference three times as a punter and two times as a quarterback and broke 18 school records during his career.
Troy Davis – Running back, Iowa State (1994-96)
Davis, a two-time consensus All-American and Heisman finalist, is the only player in FBS history to rush for more than 2,000 in two different seasons, gaining 2,010 yards as a sophomore and 2,185 yards as a junior. The mark from his junior year is the Big 12 single-season record. He also holds ISU records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total offense. He is the second ISU player inducted to the Hall.
William Fuller – Defensive tackle, North Carolina (1981-83)
Fuller was a two-time All-American and is the fifth UNC player to be inducted into the Hall. Fuller is first in school history with 57 career tackles for loss and is one of three ACC defensive linemen to earn All-ACC honors in three straight seasons. He finished his career with 225 tackles and 20 sacks.
Bert Jones – Quarterback, LSU (1970-72)
When Jones finished his LSU career, he was the program’s all-time leader in passing yards, completions, attempts and touchdowns. He led the team to three straight bowl wins and led the SEC in passing as a junior and senior. He is the ninth LSU player inducted into the Hall.
Tim Krumrie – Defensive lineman, Wisconsin (1979-82)
Krumrie started all 46 games of his Wisconsin career and finished as the program’s all-time leader with 276 solo tackles. Krumrie was a three time All-Big Ten choice and is the ninth Badger to enter the Hall. He was an All-American in 1981 when he registered 135 tackles, Wisconsin’s single season record for a defensive lineman.
Pat McInally – Tight end, Harvard (1972-74)
An All-American in 1974, McInally was Harvard’s leader in receptions, touchdowns and receiving yards when his career ended. He also was the team’s punter in 1974. He is the 18th member of the Crimson to enter the Hall and is known as the only prospect to ever score a perfect score on the NFL’s Wonderlic Test.
Herb Orvis – Defensive end, Colorado (1969-71)
Orvis was a first-team All Big 8 choice as a junior and senior and was the conference’s Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 1969. He left the Buffs as the program’s all-time leader in sacks and is the seventh player in program history selected into the Hall.
Bill Royce – Linebacker, Ashland University (1990-93)
Royce set a school record in the 1993 season with 20.5 sacks and finished his career with 71. He also set a school single-game record with 3.5 sacks against Wayne State in ’93. He is the first player from Ashland elected to the Hall.
Mike Utley – Guard, Washington State (1985-88)
Utley was a three-time All-Pac-10 choice during his career at WSU and was the team MVP in 1988 as he paved the way for a 3,000-yard passer and two 1,000-yard rushers. He started a school-record 43 straight games and is the program’s fourth player inducted into the Hall.
Scott Woerner – Defensive back, Georgia (1977-80)
Helped Georgia register a perfect record and national championship in 1980 with two interceptions in the Sugar Bowl win over Notre Dame. He ranks fourth in program history with 13 interceptions and also is second with 303 career INT return yards. Also a prolific returner, Woerner set UGA records for career punt return yards and single season punt return yards.
Rod Woodson – Defensive back, Purdue (1983-86)
Woodson held 13 Purdue records when his career ended in 1986. That season, he was the runner-up for the Jim Thorpe Award and a consensus All-American. A three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Woodson left Purdue as the career leader in solo tackles, interceptions, interception return yardage, interceptions returned for touchdowns, kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage.
Coaches inducted:
Bill Bowes – New Hampshire (1972-98)
With a 175-106-5 career record, Bowes is the winningest coach in Atlantic 10 conference and New Hampshire history. He led UNH to four Yankee Conference titles and had winning seasons from 1974-81 and 1983-91. His teams qualified for the NCAA playoffs four different times.
Frank Girardi – Lycoming College (1972-2007)
Girardi had a 257-97-5 career record at the Pennsylvania Division III school. He is 16th in NCAA history (all divisions) in total wins and registered 29 consecutive winning seasons from 1975 to 2003. He is sixth in D-III history in wins and one of 17 coaches at any level to reach 250 wins with one school.
– – – – – – –
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!