It’s that time of year when the College Football Hall of Fame asks for members of the media to submit their ballot for this years’ inductees. With over 40 former college football standouts eligible (and the ability to only select 11 to the Hall), there are many deserving candidates. From Jim Otis to Brian Urlacher, time has given us the best of the best. Now, I will highlight the most deserving athletes to be enshrined to immortality at the College Football Hall of Fame. (in alphabetical order) Keith Byers, RB, Ohio State (1982-1985) A consensus All-American in 1984, as well as the runner-up to the Heisman Trophy, Byers torched the grass underneath of him for 1,764 yards and 22 touchdowns en route to a breakout season for the Buckeyes. On top of that, Byers led the Buckeyes in all-purpose yards (2,441), and helped anchor the Buckeyes into a Rose Bowl berth. Fun fact: the running back coach for Byers at Ohio State in 1984 was none other than Jim Tressel – who would head coach the Buckeyes to a title in 2003. Here’s a video of vintage Byers [embedded content] Kerry Collins, QB, Penn State (1991-1994) Collins led Penn State to a No. 2 final ranking in 1994 after thumping Oregon 38-20 in the Rose Bowl. However, due to the Big Ten and Pac-10 not belonging to the Bowl Coalition, Penn State was left out of the National Championship Game at the Orange Bowl. Even though the Nittany Lions didn’t get a shot at the title, Collins put up video game numbers in 1994 – leading all quarterbacks with 2,679 yards, and was the only quarterback that year to throw for over 2,000 yards. Collins brought home the O’Brien and Maxwell Awards, while finishing fourth in the Heisman voting in 1994. [embedded content] Tom Cousineau, LB, Ohio State (1975-1978) A two-time consensus All-American for the Buckeyes, Cousineau broke Ohio State records in 1978 for most tackles in a season (211) and tackles in a single game (29). The lead up to the Cousineau reign of terror was his earning of the Orange Bowl MVP in 1976. From there, Cousineau plowed forward and became one of the all-time greats to ever suit up in the Scarlet and Gray. Eric Dickerson, RB, SMU (1979-1982) A bright spot on the Mustangs, Dickerson was instrumental in getting SMU an undefeated season in 1982. Even though the Mustangs tied Arkansas in their regular season finale, and had their national championship dreams dashed, Dickerson’s body of work as part of the “Pony Express” wasn’t forgotten. A consensus all-america honor, third place standing in the Heisman vote, and a Southwestern Conference title went home with Dickerson. Dickerson was drafted second to the Los Angeles Rams in the 1983 Draft after accumulating 4,450 yards rushing for the Mustangs. Jumbo Elliott, OT, Michigan (1984-1987) A collegiate career that included a trip to the Fiesta Bowl and Rose Bowl, Elliott helped open up room at the line for his Wolverines. It’s no wonder that Michigan’s leading rusher at the time, Jamie Morris, had improved numbers each year as Elliott became more of a tour de force…
Continue Reading: Picking The New Inductees To The College Football Hall Of Fame
