Peyton Manning, Steve Spurrier lead 2017 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2017 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 75 players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 95 players and 29 coaches from the divisional ranks.

“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the ballot when you think that more than 5.12 million people have played college football,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of only 1,500 individuals who are even eligible to be on the ballot, so being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to ever have played the game, and we are proud to announce their names. We look forward to announcing the 2017 Hall of Fame Class on the Friday before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Tampa.”

The ballot was emailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Courts, which deliberate and select the class. The FBS Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, and the Divisional Honors Court, chaired by former Marshall head coach, longtime athletics director and NFF Board Member Jack Lengyel, include an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and members of the media.

“Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Mississippi. “There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport.”

The announcement of the 2017 Class will be made Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played Jan. 9 at Raymond James Stadium. Some of the inductees will be on site at the press conference to represent the class and share their thoughts on the announcement. The Jan. 6 announcement will be televised live, and specific viewing information will be available as the date draws near. Inductees will also participate in the pregame festivities and the coin toss on Jan. 9.

“We cannot thank CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock and his staff enough for the opportunity to continue this new tradition of announcing our Hall of Fame Class in conjunction with the Championship Game,” said Hatchell. “Our presence at the title game has significantly raised the profile of the announcement, allowing us to shine a much brighter light on the accomplishments of our game’s greatest legends. The announcement of the 2016 Class in Phoenix this past January drew a packed house of the national media, and the event will continue to garner more attention each year as it becomes a signature part of Championship weekend.”

The 2017 class will be inducted at the 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 5, 2017, at the landmark Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. The inductees will be permanently enshrined at the new College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta later that December and honored on the field during the 13th Annual National Hall of Fame Salute during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

The criteria for Hall of Fame consideration includes:

-First and foremost, a player must have received First-Team All-America recognition by a selector organization that is recognized by the NCAA and utilized to comprise their 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 and his fellow man, with love of his country. Consideration may also be given for academic honors and whether or not 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 2017 ballot, the player must have played his last year in 1967 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 coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage.

*Players who do not comply with the 50-year rule may still be eligible for consideration by the Football Bowl Subdivision and Divisional Veterans Committee.

Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their school’s geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, approximately 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Veterans Committee may make recommendations to the Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago.

Of the 5.12 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on Nov. 6, 1869, only 977 players, including the 2016 class, have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, or less than two ten-thousandths (.0002) of one percent of those who have played the game during the past 147 years. From the coaching ranks, 211 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.

Consensus All-American: Listed as a First Team All-American by at least half of the recognized publications.

Unanimous All-American: Listed as a First Team All-American by all recognized publications.

2017 FBS PLAYER CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS

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.

Eric Bieniemy, Colorado, Running Back- Played in two national championships, leading Buffs to 1990 national title…Unanimous First Team All-American and finished third in 1990 Heisman voting… Two-time All-Big Eight pick, still holding eight CU records.

Michael Bishop, Kansas State, Quarterback-1998 consensus First Team All-American and winner of the Davey O’Brien Award…1998 Heisman Trophy runner-up who led Cats to 1998 Big 12 North title and berth in conference championship…Set 14 conference and 34 school records and boasts longest pass play in K-State history (97 yards).

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.

Terrell Buckley, Florida State, Defensive Back-1991 unanimous First Team All-American and winner of the Thorpe Award…Led the nation in interceptions (12) and return yards (501) during final season at FSU…Seminoles’ all-time leader in career interceptions (21) who returned four interceptions and three punts for touchdowns in career.

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.

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.

Freddie Carr, UTEP, Linebacker-1967 First Team All-American who helped UTEP to two Sun Bowl victories…Named 1967 Sun Bowl MVP…Ranks in the top 10 in numerous school records, including career tackles (410) and single-season tackles (148).

Mark Carrier, Southern California, Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-American (1988-89) – unanimous in 1989… 1989 Jim Thorpe Award winner… Two-time First Team All-Conference selection… Led the Pac-10 in interceptions in 1989 with seven.

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.

Trevor Cobb, Rice, Running Back-1991 consensus First Team All-American and Doak Walker Award winner…1992 Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year who finished career as the Owls’ all-time leading rusher (4,948 yards)…Rushed for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons and set 17 school records.

Kerry Collins, Penn State, Quarterback-1994 consensus First Team All-American and winner of the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards…Led the nation in passing efficiency (172.9) as a senior and named 1994 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year…Led Lions to 12-0 record, a Big Ten title and No. 2 final ranking in 1994.

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.

Bob Crable, Notre Dame, Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-American in 1980 and 1981… Set ND records for most career tackles (521), most tackles in a season (187), most tackles in a game (26)…Led Irish to win in the 1979 Cotton Bowl.

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.

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.

Kenneth Davis, TCU, Running Back-1984 unanimous First Team All-American who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and led Frogs to first bowl in 19 seasons…Led the nation in yards per carry (7.6) and ranked second nationally in rushing yards (1,611) in 1984…1984 Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year who boasted nine 100-yard games in career.

Rich Diana, Yale, Running Back-Named a First Team All-American in 1981 and finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting the same year…Two-time First Team All-Ivy League selection led Bulldogs to three conference titles…Named a First Team Academic All-American and an NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 1981.

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).

John Didion, Oregon State, Center-Two-time All-American, earning unanimous First Team honors in 1968… Member of Oregon State team known as the “Giant Killers”… 1968 First Team All-Pac-8 selection who helped team finish in the AP Top 20 all three years of career.

Mike Dirks, Wyoming,Defensive Tackle-1967 First Team All-American who led Pokes to two bowl berths…Two-time First Team All-WAC selection and member of back-to-back WAC championship teams…Three-year starter who finished career with 210 tackles and 59 tackles for loss.

Rickey Dixon, Oklahoma, Defensive Back-1987 consensus First Team All-American and winner of the 1987 Thorpe Award…Two-time First Team All-Big Eight selection and member of 1985 National Championship team…Finished career as school leader in single-season interceptions (9) and ranked second all-time with 17 career interceptions.

D.J. Dozier, Penn State, Running Back- Named 1986 consensus First Team All-American and led PSU to perfect 12-0 season and national championship (1986)… Finished eighth in 1986 Heisman voting… First PSU back to lead the team in rushing for four consecutive seasons.

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).

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.

Marshall Faulk, San Diego State, Running Back-Three-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1992 and 1993…Three-time Heisman finalist (runner-up in 1992) who twice led the nation in rushing yards per game (1991, 1992)…1992 WAC Offensive Player of the Year who set NCAA record for yards in a single game (386).

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.

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).

Kirk Gibson, Michigan State, Wide Receiver-Named First Team All-American, led Big Ten in receiving in league play and helped the Spartans to a Big Ten Co-Championship and a No.12 national ranking in 1978…Played MLB for 17 seasons.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Torry Holt, N.C. State, Wide Receiver-1998 consensus First Team All-American who was the only receiver in the top 10 of the 1998 Heisman Trophy voting…1998 ACC Player of the Year who earned First Team All-Conference honors as a receiver and punt returner…NC State’s all-time leader in receiving (3,379) and all-purpose yards (1,979).

Dana Howard, Illinois, Linebacker-Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors as a senior…1994 Butkus Award winner and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year…School’s all-time leading tackler (595) who led team in tackles each year of career.

Ken Huff, North Carolina, Offensive Guard-1974 consensus First Team All-American and First Team All-Conference selection…Recipient of the Jacob’s Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s best offensive lineman in 1974…Team captain who helped UNC set school total offense records and finish fifth nationally in 1974.

Bobby Humphrey, Alabama, Running Back-Named First Team All-American in 1987…Led Tide to victories in Aloha Bowl and two Sun Bowls…Named UPI Offensive Player of the Year in 1987…Ended career with 4,958 all-purpose yards and 40 TDs.

Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame, Wide Receiver-Two-time First Team All-American earning consensus honors in 1989 and unanimous laurels in 1990…Walter Camp Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1990…Led ND to national championship at the Fiesta Bowl and two Orange Bowls.

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.

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.

Matt Leinart, Southern California, Quarterback-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 2004…2004 Heisman Trophy winner who led Trojans to three consecutive national championship games (2003-05), winning back-to-back AP titles in 2003 and 2004…Two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year who boasted three 3,000-yard passing seasons.

Ray Lewis, Miami (Fla.), 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.

Peyton Manning, Tennessee, Quarterback-1997 consensus First Team All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up who won the NFF Campbell Trophy and the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards…Three-time All-SEC selection and 1997 SEC Player of the Year while guiding Vols to SEC title…Tennessee’s all-time leader in wins (39), passing yards (11,201) and TD passes (89) among others.

Buddy McClinton, Auburn, Defensive Back-Three-time All-American who earned consensus First Team honors in 1969… Auburn’s all-time leader in interceptions (18) and holds record for interceptions in a season (9 in 1969)… Set SEC career interception record (18).

Bob McKay, Texas, Offensive Tackle-1969 consensus First Team All-American who helped Longhorns to national championship and unbeaten season at Cotton Bowl in senior season…Member of two SWC championship teams and 1969 all-conference selection.

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.

Dat Nguyen, Texas A&M, Linebacker-1998 unanimous First Team All-American and winner of both the Bednarik Award and Lombardi Trophy as a senior…1998 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Cotton Bowl MVP…Started 51 consecutive games and only player in Aggie history to lead team in tackles four seasons in a row.

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.

Phil Olsen, Utah State, Defensive End-1969 consensus First Team All-American…1969 team captain and Utah State Athlete of the Year…Selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl…Brother of College Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen. 

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).

Jim Otis, Ohio State, Fullback-Named consensus First Team All-American in 1969…Member  of the 1968 National Championship team…Named First Team All-Big Ten conference in 1969 and led the Buckeyes to two conference titles…Led the team in rushing three times.

Paul Palmer, Temple, Running Back-1986 unanimous First Team All-American…Led the nation in rushing yards (1,866), rushing yards per game (169.6) and all-purpose yards (2,633) in 1986… Set 23 school records and was named ECAC Player of the Year in 1986.

Jake Plummer, Arizona State, Quarterback-1996 First Team All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year…Led 1996 team to an undefeated regular season and first Rose Bowl appearance since 1986…Four-year starter and two-time ASU MVP who threw for more than 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons (8,827 career passing yards).

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.

Troy Polamalu, Southern California, Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 2002…Two-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection and finalist for the Thorpe Award as a senior…Two-year captain and 2001 USC MVP, who led Trojans to two bowl berths and a share of the 2002 Pac-10 title.

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.

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).

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.

Mike Ruth, Boston College, Nose Guard-1985 consensus First Team All-American and Outland Trophy winner…Three-time All-East and All-ECAC selection…Member of three bowl teams and recorded 344 career tackles, including 29 sacks.

Rashaan Salaam, Colorado, Tailback-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.

Lucius Sanford, Georgia Tech, Linebacker-Named First Team All-America in 1977…A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, he led Georgia Tech in tackles in 1975 (121) and 1976 (117)…Named to the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame and the school’s All-Time Team in 1991.

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).

Bob Stein, Minnesota, Defensive End-1967 First Team All-American…Two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection who led Gophers to co-share of the 1967 Big Ten title…1969 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.

Matt Stinchcomb, Georgia, Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-America selection (consensus-’98)…Two-time First Team All-SEC and 1998 recipient of Jacobs Blocking Trophy…1998 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy recipient and NFF National Scholar-Athlete.

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.

Andre Tippett, Iowa, Defensive End-1981 consensus First Team All-American who led Hawkeyes to 1982 Rose Bowl berth, their first bowl game since 1959…Two-time First Team All-Big Ten performer, leading Iowa to 1981 Big Ten championship…Holds Iowa record for TFL yardage (153 yards/20 TFL).

Brian Urlacher, New Mexico, Defensive Back-1999 consensus First Team All-American and finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award…Led the nation in tackles (178) as a junior and named 1999 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year…1999 UNM Male Athlete of the Year who ranks fourth all-time in school history with 442 career tackles.

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).

Jackie Walker, Tennessee, Linebacker-1970 and ’71 First Team All-American…Set NCAA record for career interceptions returned for TD by a linebacker (5)… Two-time First Team All-SEC selection who helped Vols to 1969 SEC Championship.

Lorenzo White, Michigan State, Running Back-Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous (’85) and consensus (’87) honors…Led State to 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win…Led nation in rushing (1985), first MSU player to lead team in rushing four-straight seasons.

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.

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.

Al Worley, Washington, Defensive Back-1968 consensus First Team All-American who holds NCAA record for single-season interceptions (14)…1968 First Team All-Pac-8 selection who held conference record for interceptions in a game (4)…1968 team co-captain and University of Washington Athlete of the Year.

Marc Zeno, Tulane, Wide Receiver-1987 First Team All-American who broke the NCAA Division I record for career receiving yards (3,725)…Led team in receiving three-straight years and holds nearly every school receiving record, including career receptions (236) and 100-yard games (17)…Two-time First Team All-South Independent selection.
 

2017 FBS COACH CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS

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.

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.

Danny Ford-Clemson (1978-89), Arkansas (1993-97)-Led Tigers to perfect 12-0 season and national title in 1981…Won five ACC championships and twice named conference coach of the year…Boasts four of the top five winningest seasons in school history and set Clemson record with 41 consecutive weeks in AP Top 20…Led Arkansas to first SEC West title in 1995.

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.

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.

Steve Spurrier-Duke (1987-89), Florida (1990-01), South Carolina (2005-15)-Winningest head coach in both University of Florida and University of South Carolina history, ranking second all-time in wins in SEC annals…Led Gators to 1996 National Championship and six SEC titles…Posted seven conference championships, nine conference coach of the year honors and 21 bowl appearances in 26-year career.
 

2017 DIVISIONAL PLAYER CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS

Archie Amerson, Northern Arizona, Running Back-Named First Team All-American in 1996…Finished as school’s all-time career rushing leader despite only playing two seasons (3,196 yards)…1996 Walter Payton Award recipient as Division I-AA’s most outstanding offensive player… Led NAU to its first-ever I-AA playoff appearance.

Eddie Bell, Idaho State, Wide Receiver-1969 First Team All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Sky selection…Ranks first in school history with 30 touchdown receptions and second in Idaho State annals with 2,676 receiving yards…Registered 3,341 all-purpose yards in career.

Rennie Benn, Lehigh, Wide Receiver-Named First Team All-American in 1985…Currently ranks second in NCAA Division I-AA history in touchdown receptions (44), behind only Jerry Rice…Ranks seventh in Division I-AA history in career receiving yards (3,662).

Bill Bergey, Arkansas State, Linebacker-1968 First Team All-American…Three-time All-Southland Conference selection… 436 career tackles ranks second all-time at ASU and ninth in Southland history… Pecan Bowl and North-South Shrine Game MVP.

Bill Borchert, Mount Union (Ohio), Quarterback-Two-time First Team All-American who led Mount Union to consecutive national titles in 1996-97…1997 recipient of Gagliardi Trophy and three-time First Team All-OAC selection… Still holds multiple NCAA, conference and school records and boasts 14,482 career passing yards.

John Bothe, Augustana (Ill.), Center-Named First Team All-American in 1988…One of three finalists for the 1988 NCAA Division III Player of the Year Award…Three-time First Team All-Conference selection (1986-88)…Helped Augustana to a 45-3-1 record.

Carl Boyd, Northern Iowa, Running Back-Named First Team All-American in 1987…Selected First Team All-Conference and Offensive Player of the Year in 1987…In 1987, he was Conference Player of the Week four times…Two-time team captain…Totaled 2,735 career rushing yards and 1,987 receiving yards.

Vincent Brown, Mississippi Valley State, Linebacker-1987 First Team All-American, leading the NCAA in tackles in 1986 and 1987…Set NCAA All-Divisions record with 570 career tackles…Three-time All-SWAC selection who led MVSU in tackles his last three seasons.

Joe Campbell, Middle Tennessee State, Running Back-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1990-91)…A three-time First Team All-Conference pick, he was named OVC Player of the Year in 1990…Led the team in rushing all four years.

William Campbell, Western State (Colo.), Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1978-79)…Set school record for interceptions in a season with seven in 1979…Led the team in tackles his senior year with 84.

Vin Carioscia, Franklin & Marshall (Pa.), Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American and First Team All-Conference selection (1981-82)…Named First Team All-ECAC in 1982…Four-year letterman and a three-year starter.

Peter Catan, Eastern Illinois, Defensive End-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1979-80)…Member of the 1978 Division II National Championship team…Holds school record for quarterback sacks in a game (six), season (21) and career (47).

Bruce Cerone, Emporia State (Kan.), End-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1968-69)…Ranks second in NCAA Division II history in career touchdown receptions (49), fourth in career receiving yards (4,354) and ninth in receptions (241).

Steve Cockerham, Akron, Linebacker-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1976-77)…Concluded career as the school’s all-time leader in tackles with 715…Led Akron to 1976 Division II Championship Game.

Bruce Collie, Texas-Arlington, Offensive Tackle-Named First Team All-American in 1984…Led UTA to 1981 Southland Conference title…Three-time All-SLC selection…Played six seasons in the NFL with San Francisco and Philadelphia.

Tom Collins, Indianapolis (Ind.), Defensive Back-Named First Team All-American in 1985…All-time college football leader in career interceptions (37), representing all levels of the NCAA. 

Ray Condren, Gettysburg (Pa.), Running Back-Two-time First Team All-American, All-ECAC and All-Conference selection (1983-84)…Finished second in rushing in Division III in 1984…Named ECAC Division III Player of the Year in 1984.

Mark Cotney, Cameron (Okla.), Defensive Back-Named First Team NAIA All-American and All-Conference in 1974…Amassed 132 career tackles and seven interceptions in two seasons at Cameron.

Case deBruijn, Idaho State, Punter-Named First Team All-American in 1981…Twice led the nation in punting (1980-81) and was twice the runner up (1978-79)…Season average of 45.9 in 1981 is third all-time in I-AA.

Dave Dickenson, Montana, Quarterback-Two-time First Team All-American and 1995 Walter Payton Award winner…Set numerous NCAA, conference and school records en route to leading the Grizzlies to the 1995 I-AA National Championship…Three-time Big Sky Offensive MVP who led the nation in passing in 1994-95 and named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete as a senior.

Parnell Dickinson, Mississippi Valley State, Quarterback-1975 First Team All-American and Pittsburgh Courier National Player of the Year…Four-time All-SWAC selection and conference Player of the Year as a senior…Finished career as SWAC’s all-time leader in total offense (7,442 yards).

William Dillon, Virginia Union, Free Safety-Three-time First Team All-America selection (1980-82)…Tallied 16 interceptions in 1983…1983 Black College Player of the Year…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection and Player of the Year (1981-82).

Al Dorenkamp, Central (Iowa), Linebacker-Named First Team All-American in 1974…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection (1973-74)…Captained Central to a perfect 11-0 mark and the Division III National Championship in 1974. 

John Dorsey, Connecticut, Linebacker-Named First Team All-American in 1983…Led the team in tackles from 1981-83…Two-time Yankee Conference Defensive Player of the Year (1982-83).

Karl Douglas, Texas A&M-Kingsville (formerly Texas A&I), Quarterback-Led Javelinas to back-to-back NAIA national titles in 1969-70 as well as four consecutive conference championships…First player to be named most valuable back in the NAIA championship game in consecutive years.

Chuck Downey, Stony Brook, Safety-1987 First Team All-America selection…Recorded 239 tackles and 13 interceptions on defense…First player in Division III history to achieve 1,000 yards on both punt and kickoff returns in a career…Currently holds 12 NCAA Division III records and 23 school records.

Tom Ehrhardt, Rhode Island, Quarterback-1985 First Team All-American who led the nation in passing during his final year at URI…Holds nearly every passing record in Rams history and led URI to consecutive 10-3 seasons and national top 10 finishes in 1984-85…1985 Yankee Conference Player of the Year.

Curtis Eller, Villanova, Linebacker-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1991-92) and was named National Defensive Player of the Year by The Sporting News in 1992…A three-time First Team All-Conference, he twice earned Yankee Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Blake Elliott, Saint John’s (Minn.), Wide Receiver-Two-time First Team All-American and winner of the 2003 Gagliardi Trophy…Two-time MIAC Player of the Year who holds NCAA All-Divisions record of 47 consecutive games with a reception…Led SJU to 2003 DIII national title and owns 29 school records.

Richard Erenberg, Colgate, Running Back-Named First Team All-American in 1983…Broke 12 Division I-AA records…Selected as ECAC Player of the Year in 1983…All-time leading rusher in Colgate history…Two-time recipient of the Andy Kerr Award signifying Colgate’s MVP (1982-83).

Jim Ferge, North Dakota State, Linebacker / Def. Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American and All-Conference selection (1967-68)…Named conference Most Valuable Lineman in 1968…Selected as team captain and MVP in 1968.

John Fitzgerald, Central Oklahoma, Offensive Guard-First Team All-American who blocked for two 1,000-yard rushers in 1998…Led UCO to 1998 undefeated season and No. 1 final ranking…Only three-time All-American since UCO joined NCAA.

Bernard Ford, Central Florida, Wide Receiver-Named First Team All-American and 1987 Harlon Hill Trophy Finalist…Ranks in Top 10 of 14 UCF records, ranking first in receiving yards in a season (1,403), all-purpose yards per game (188) and average yards per catch in career (21.8).

Duane Fritz, Chadron State (Neb.), Punter-Named First Team NAIA All-American in 1975…Led NAIA II and the conference in punting in 1975…Averaged 42.3 yards on 65 punts in 1975.

Rick Fry, Occidental (Calif.), End-Two-time First Team All-American and All-Conference selection (1976-77)…Was the NCAA annual champion for receiving in 1976-77 and set four NCAA receiving records…Member of the Occidental Football Hall of Fame.

Chris George, Glenville State (W.Va.), Wide Receiver- Two-time First Team All-America selection and four-time WVIAC pick…Led GSC to Division II National Playoffs in 1993 and ‘94…Member of two conference championship teams and held nine national records by career’s end.

Darwin Gonnerman, South Dakota State, Running Back-Two-time First Team All-American and All-Conference selection (1967-68)…Led conference in scoring and rushing in 1967…Named conference Back of the Year in 1968…Set 13 school records during his career.

Don Greco, Western Illinois, Offensive Guard-Named First Team All-American in 1980…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection – winning the conference’s Lineman of the Year award in 1980…A 1980 team captain, he was twice named Western Illinois’ MVP.

Don Griffin, Middle Tennessee State, Safety-1985 First Team All-American and Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year…Three-time First Team All-Conference selection…Recorded 210 tackles, 13 career interceptions, and held school record for interceptions in a game (3).

Boomer Grigsby, Illinois State, Linebacker-Three-time First Team All-American (2002-04) and FCS career leader in total (550) and solo (325) tackles…Only three-time Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year in league history…No. 2 all-time in FCS averaging 12.5 tackles per game in career.

Don Hass, Montana State, Halfback-Two-time First Team All-American and First Team All-Conference selection (1966-67)…Set or matched seven conference records…Holds nine school single-season rushing records, including 1,460 yards in a season.

Ron Hausauer, Jamestown (N.D.), Offensive Guard-Two-time First Team NAIA All-American and First Team All-Conference (1980-81)…Four-year letterman…Member of the Jamestown College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Pat Hauser, Cal State Northridge, Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American and All-Conference selection (1982-83)… Four-year starter and letterman.  

Conway Hayman, Delaware, Offensive Guard-Named First Team All-American in 1970…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection (1969-70)…Led team to two conference titles and three Lambert Cup Eastern Championships. 

Bobby Hedrick, Elon, Running Back-Named First Team All-American in 1980…Ranked second in NCAA history in career rushing yards (5,604), among all divisions, at career’s end (behind only Tony Dorsett).

Chris Hegg, Truman State (Mo.) (formerly Northeast Missouri State), Quarterback-Named First Team All-American and AFCA Division II Player of the Year in 1985…Two-time conference Offensive Player of the Year (1984-85)…Still holds eight conference records.

Bob Heller, Wesleyan (Conn.), Center-Two-time First Team All-American in 1972-73… Two-time First Team All-ECAC performer who did not allow a sack during career… Key to 1972 offensive unit that set still-standing school record for 1,980 rushing yards in a season.

Lynn Hieber, Indiana (Pa.), Quarterback-Two-time First Team NAIA All-America selection (1974-75)…Won the Division II Total Offense crown in 1975…Selected as ECAC Division II Player of the Year, First Team All-East and First Team All-ECAC in 1975.

John Hill, Lehigh, Center-Named First Team All-American in 1971…Recipient of Football Roundup Magazine’s College Division Exemplary Player Award…Named First Team All-ECAC and New York Times All-East in 1971.

Rene Ingoglia, Massachusetts, Running Back-Finished career ranked second all-time in FCS history in TDs (54) and as school’s all-time leader in rushing (4,624) and carries (905) among others…First UMass player to average more than 100 ypg rushing in career.

Louis Jackson, Cal Poly S.L.O., Running Back-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1978-80)…Member of the 1980 Division II National Championship team…Holds school records for yards rushing in a career (3,444), season (1,463) and game (267). 

Terron Jackson, Missouri Southern State, Offensive Tackle-Named First Team NAIA All-American in 1972…Member of school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ed Kelley, Hampden-Sydney (Va.), Defensive End-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1974-75)…Three-time First Team All-Conference pick (1973-75)…Led the defensive unit that gave up only 10.8 points per game in 1975. 

Garry Kuhlman, Delaware, Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American and All-ECAC selection (1980-81)…His 1979 team led all Division I-AA teams in scoring with 35.5 points and 405.5 yards total offense per game.

Steve McAdoo, Middle Tennessee State, Offensive Lineman-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1991-92)…Earned Third Team All-America honors by the Associated Press in 1990…Three-time First Team All-Conference pick.

Gary McCauley, Clarion (Pa.), Tight End-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1980-81)…Member of two conference title teams…Holds school career receiving records for receptions (135) and receiving yards (1,736)…Four-year starter. 

Fran McDermott, St. Mary’s (Calif.), Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1979-80)…Played in the 1981 Japan Bowl…Four-year starter and letterman…Holds school records for most interceptions in a career (21), season (8) and game (4).

Bill McGovern, Holy Cross, Defensive Back-Named First Team All-American in 1984…Led the nation in interceptions (11) in 1984…Set Division I-AA career interception record with 24…Two-time All-ECAC performer (1983-84)…Named 1984 team captain.

Tony Miles, Northwest Missouri State, All-Purpose/Wide Receiver-Two-time First Team All-American who led Bearcats to back-to-back Division II National Championships (1998-99) and four-consecutive MIAA titles…Set conference and school records for career receiving yards (3,890), receptions (235) and TDs (37).

Carl Morris, Harvard, Wide Receiver-2002 First Team All-American who holds virtually every Harvard receiving record, including career receptions (245) and TD receptions (28)…Ranks third all-time in Ivy history with 3,508 career receiving yards…Holds Ivy record for career 100-yard games (15) and 200-yard games (3).

Robert Morris, Georgetown, Defensive End-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1973-74)…Member of the Georgetown Hall of Fame and the National Slavic Honor Society.

Kenneth Murawski, Carnegie Mellon (Pa.), Linebacker-Named First Team All-American in 1981…Named First Team All-Conference in 1981 and Second Team in 1980…Two-time team defensive captain…Totaled 243 career tackles and nine interceptions.

Ed O’Brien, Central Florida, Placekicker-Named First Team All-American…UCF record holder for career field goals made (50), field goals attempted (77) and longest field goal made (55 yards)…Helped UCF to 1987 Division II Semifinals.

Randy Page, Central Oklahoma, Quarterback-Named First Team NAIA All-American in 1983 and earned Second Team NAIA All-America honors in 1982…Led UCO to an NAIA National Championship in 1982…Broke 14 school records.

Chris Parker, Marshall, Running Back-1995 First Team All-America pick…Member of 1992 national championship team, leading MU back to national title game in 1993 and ’95 (national runner-up)…Recorded 31 games with at least 100 yards rushing en route to finishing career with 5,924 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns.

Alonzo Patterson, Wagner, Running Back-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1981-82)…Finished fourth on the NCAA leading rusher list for all divisions in 1981, leading Division III with 1,487 yards…Three-time ECAC Player of the Year (1980-82).

Adrian Peterson, Georgia Southern, Running Back-Four-time First Team All-American and only sophomore in history to win Walter Payton Award (1999)…NCAA Division I all-time leading rusher (6,559 yards)…Two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Year who led team to consecutive national titles (1999-00).

Martin Peterson, Pennsylvania, Offensive Tackle-Named First Team All-America, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-ECAC in 1986…His teams won three conference titles.

Charlie Pierce, Central Florida, Punter / Placekicker-Named First Team All-America…Career record holder at UCF for punts (173), punt yardage (7,111) and points scored (297)… Helped UCF to FCS playoffs in 1993.

Dave Pomante, Whitworth (Wash.), Defensive Lineman-Named First Team NAIA All-American in 1981…Two-time All-District selection…Set school records with 20 sacks in a season and 35 in a career…Led team with 117 tackles as a senior.

Gary Puetz, Valparaiso, Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1971-72)…Three-time First Team All-Conference selection…Made first team All-Conference as a placekicker as well in 1972…Earned team’s MVP award. 

Gerry Quinlivan, Buffalo, Linebacker-Named First Team All-American in 1984…Two-time First Team ECAC Upstate New York selection and team captain (1983-84)…Four-year starter and letterman…Two-time Most Outstanding Linebacker (1983-84) and named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete as a senior.

Michael Renna, Delaware, Defensive End-Two-time First Team All-American, All-Conference and All-ECAC selection (1988-89)…Delaware’s Outstanding Senior Male Athlete in 1990…Finished career as the 10th leading tackler in school history with 205.

David Rhodes, Central Florida, Wide Receiver-1993 First Team All-American…Holds UCF records for receptions (213), receiving yards (3,618), and receiving TD (29) in career…Only Knight to record three seasons with at least 1,000-yards receiving and helped team to 1993 FCS Playoffs.

Kirk Roach, Western Carolina, Placekicker-Three-time First Team All-America selection (1984-86)…Four-time First Team All-Conference pick…Holds five Division I-AA kicking records, 10 conference records and 18 school records…Missed only one extra point in four years.

Harold Roberts, Austin Peay State, Wide Receiver-1970 First Team All-American who boasts nearly every receiving record in APSU history, including career receptions (232) and reception yards (2,999)…APSU’s first four-time First Team All-OVC selection…Set NCAA record with 20 receptions in one game in 1969.

Bobby Saiz, Adams State (Colo.), Quarterback-Named First Team NAIA All-American in 1989…Passed for 10,169 career yards and 87 touchdowns…Averaged 251 yards per game in total offense…Led team to No. 1 NAIA national ranking in 1989.

Terry Schmidt, Ball State, Defensive Back-Named First Team All-American in 1973 when he set a single-season school record with 13 interceptions…Team MVP as a senior…Played in the Coaches All-America Game and the East-West Shrine Game. 

Larry Schreiber, Tennessee Tech, Running Back-Named First Team All-American in 1969…Set an NCAA record for most career rushes with 877…Set six conference records…Currently ranks second on the conference all-time rushing list with 4,421 yards. 

Steve Schubert, Massachusetts, Wide Receiver-Named First Team All-American in 1972…Averaged 81.9 yards receiving per game in 1972, which ranks fourth on the school record list…Holds school record for average yards per catch in a season in with 20.1 in 1972.  

Joe Skladany, Lafayette, Linebacker-Named First Team All-American in 1981…Four-year starter who never missed a game…Boasts school records for career tackles (532) and blocked kicks in a season (3)…Team captain and two-time Team MVP who led nation’s second-ranked defense in 1981.

Ed Smith, Bethel (Kan.), Wide Receiver-Named First Team NAIA All-American in 1985…Three-time First Team All-Conference selection (1984-86)…Holds 13 school records…His 47 career touchdown receptions were two short of the national record.

Paul Smith, Gettysburg (Pa.), Return Specialist-Two-time First Team All-American as a kick- and punt-returner…Set three NCAA records, including still-standing record of 527 all-purpose yards in a game (1999)…1999 Centennial Conference Co-Player of the Year and four-time All-CC First Team selection.

Tom Stenglein, Colgate, Wide Receiver-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1984-85)…Two-time First Team All-ECAC pick (1984-85)…Colgate’s all-time leader in receptions in a game (12), season (67) and career (144).

Freddie Thomas, Troy, Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-America selection (1986-87) and helped lead Troy State to the National Championship in 1987…A two-time First Team All-Conference pick, he was named team captain in 1987.

Markus Thomas, Eastern Kentucky, Tailback-Finished career ranked third all-time in FCS history in rushing (5,149)…Two-time Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year who led team to two conference titles…52 career rushing TDs.

Billy Thompson, Maryland Eastern Shore, Defensive Back-1968 First Team All-America selection…Four-year letterman, who was named team MVP as a senior…Three-time CIAA All-Conference selection…1984 UMES Hall of Fame inductee.

Brad Tokar, Westminster (Pa.), Running Back-Named First Team All-American in 1990…Two-time First Team NAIA All-America selection (1988, 1990)…Led Westminster to two NAIA Division II National Championships…Westminster’s all-time leading rusher with 5,269 career yards.

Jay Wessler, Illinois College, Running Back-Named First Team NAIA All-American in 1979…Three-time member of the NAIA District All-Star Team…Three-time team MVP (1978-80) and Illinois Athlete of the Year (1979-81). 

Tim Whelan, Tufts (Mass.), Running Back-1976 First Team All-American who set school single-season rushing records in consecutive seasons…1976 ECAC Division III Player of the Year and George H. “Bulger” Lowe Award as New England’s best player for all divisions…234 rushing attempts in 1976 is school record.

Lee White, Weber State, Fullback-Named First Team All-American and First Team All-Conference in 1967…Rushing and scoring champion of the Big Sky Conference in 1967…Member of the Big Sky Silver Anniversary Team.

Gary Wichard, LIU-C.W.Post (N.Y.), Quarterback-Named First Team All-American, ECAC Player of the Year and team captain in 1971…Played in the 1972 Senior Bowl…Set school records in career passing yards (5,373), touchdown passes (41) and total offense (5,642).

Mike Wiggins, Iowa Wesleyan, Punter-Named First Team All-American in 1987 and NAIA All-America in 1986 and 1987…Named National Punting Champion for the NAIA in 1987. 

Jerry Woods, Northern Michigan, Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-America selection and All-Conference pick (1987-88)… Returned 89 punts for 1,129 yards, a 12.6 yard average…Returned kickoffs for 1,475 yards, a 24.9 yard average and current school record.

John Zanieski, Yale, Middle Guard-Named First Team All-American and First Team All-Ivy League in 1984…Selected as the team’s MVP in 1984…Finished second on school’s quarterback sack list with 21. 
 

2017 DIVISIONAL COACH CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS

Paul Durham-Linfield (Ore.) (1948-67)-His teams won seven conference championships…Named 1962 NAIA Coach of the Year…Was the athletics director at Linfield while coaching…Member of the Oregon Sports, Helms Athletic and NAIA Football Coaches Halls of Fame.

Jim Feix-Western Kentucky (1968-83)-Named Kodak College Coach of the Year for Division II in 1973 and 1975…Won or shared six conference titles…Three-time conference Coach of the Year (1973, 1978, 1980)…The winningest coach in school history…Charter member of the school Athletic Hall of Fame.

Howard Fletcher-Northern Illinois (1956-68)-Coached unbeaten NCAA College Division and NAIA National Championship team in 1963…Led NIU to three conference titles (1963-65)…Inducted into the NIU Athletic Hall of Fame…Was the runner-up as Kodak College Division Coach of the Year in 1963…Made three appearances in the Mineral Water Bowl.

Ross Fortier-Minnesota Moorhead (formerly Moorhead State) (1970-92)-School's all-time winningest coach…Led his team to seven postseason playoffs and nine conference championships…Led 1981 team to unbeaten regular season and number one ranking in the final regular season poll…Member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.

Morley Fraser-Albion (Mich.) (1954-68)-Led Albion to five conference championship and was named the Small College Coach of the Year in 1964…Coached one All-American, five conference Players of the Year and 65 first team All-Conference selections…Was a Commander in the U.S. Navy during WWII…Received the Distinguished American Award from the Michigan Chapter of the NFF.

Danny Hale-West Chester (Pa.) (1984-88), Bloomsburg (Pa.) (1993-12)-Led Bloomsburg to berth in national championship game (2000), earning AFCA Division II Coach of the Year honors…Led teams to nine playoff appearances and at least a share of 14 PSAC East titles…Boasts most wins (173) in Bloomsburg history.

Rudy Hubbard-Florida A&M (1974-85)-Captured back-to-back national championships, 1977 and 1978, including the inaugural NCAA Division I-AA National Title in 1978…Led A&M to back-to-back SIAC championships.

Larry Kehres-Mount Union (Ohio) (1986-12)-Boasts highest winning percentage of any coach in college football history (93%)…Most national titles (11), conference titles (23) and unbeaten regular seasons (21) of any coach in college football history…Set NCAA record with 55 consecutive wins between 2000-03.

Art Keller-Carthage (Wis.) (1952-82)-Named FWAA College Division Distinguished Coach in 1982 and four-time NAIA District Coach of the Year…Member of the NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame…Won eight conference titles and compiled three 14-game winning streaks…Member of the Carthage Hall of Fame and received the President's Medal of Honor.

Glenn Killinger-Dickinson (Pa.) (1922), Rensselaer (N.Y.) (1927-32), Moravian (Pa.) (1933), West Chester (Pa.) (1934-41, 45-59)-Winningest coach in West Chester history…Member of the College Football Hall of Fame as a player and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame…Had only one losing season in 37 years as a head coach.

Larry Korver-Northwestern College (Iowa) (1967-94)-Led Northwestern to two National Championships, 14 playoff appearances and 212 victories in 28 seasons on the sidelines…Twice named NAIA National Coach of the Year, he has coached 32 players to All-America status.

Maxie Lambright-Louisiana Tech (1967-78)-Led Tech to three consecutive Division II national titles from 1972-74…Boasted seven conference titles and named 1970s Southland Conference Coach of the Decade…Led program to Division I in 1975, earning two Independence Bowl berths, and coached 11 First Team All-Americans throughout career.

Dick Lowry-Wayne State (Mich.) (1974-79), Hillsdale (Mich.) (1980-96)-Won seven conference championships at both schools and earned five births in the NAIA national playoffs winning the National Championship in 1985…He was voted NAIA Coach of the Year in 1982 and was conference Coach of the Year six times.

John Luckhardt-Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) (1982-98), California (Pa.) (2002-11)-Led teams to 14 conference titles and 16 NCAA playoff appearances…Led W&J to Stagg Bowl in 1992 and ’94 and named national runner-up both seasons…1992 AFCA DIII Coach of the Year and all-time winningest coach at W&J and Cal.

James Malosky-Minnesota Duluth (1958-97)-Winningest coach in Division II history at time of retirement…Led teams to nine  conference championships…Named NSIC, MIAC and/or NAIA Coach of the Year 13 times…Produced 33 winning seasons in 40 years at UMD.

Don Miller-Trinity (Conn.) (1967-98)-Recorded 28 winning seasons out of 32…Retired as the all-time winningest Division III football coach in New England history (now second)…Four-time NESCAC Coach of the Year and 1993 New England Division II/III Coach of the Year…Team recorded best record in NESCAC seven times.

Charles Murphy-Middle Tennessee State (1947-68)-Captured seven Volunteer State Athletic Conference Championships…Won seven Ohio Valley Conference Championships…Named Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1965.

Jim Ostendarp-Amherst (Mass.) (1959-91)-Named UPI Small College Coach of the Year in 1964…Selected as the New York Football Writers Division II/III Coach of the Year in 1984…Captured 13 Little Three titles…Named AFCA/Kodak New England Coach of the Year in 1961 and 1964. 

Forrest Perkins-Wisconsin-Whitewater (1956-84)-At the time of his retirement, he ranked second on the active wins list on the Division III level…Named NAIA Coach of the Year in 1966…The all-time winningest coach in conference and school history…captured 11 conference titles.

Bill Ramseyer-Wilmington (Ohio) (1972-90), Virginia’s College at Wise (1991-2001)-Three-time District Coach of the Year…Seven Hall of Fame inductions, including NAIA Hall of Fame (1997)…Coached his teams to a winning season in 24-of-30 seasons…Coached Wilmington to an NAIA National Runner-Up in 1980…Coached 70 All-Americans.

Dwight Reed-Lincoln (Mo.) (1949-71)-Teams won three conference titles…Coached 93 All-Americans in four sports…The football stadium at Lincoln University was named for him.

Pete Schmidt-Albion (Mich.) (1983-96)-Teams won nine MIAA championships (seven outright), five NCAA Division III playoff appearances and the 1994 NCAA Division III National Championship… 1994 AFCA National Coach of the Year.

Clyde “Buck” Starbeck-Northern Iowa (1936-42, 1945-57)-Captured seven conference championships in 10 years…Went 31 consecutive conference games without a defeat…Member of the University of Northern Iowa Hall of Fame. 

Clarence Stasavich-Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) (1946-61), East Carolina (1962-69)-Lenoir-Rhyne’s all-time winningest coach who led team to 1960 NAIA National Championship…1959 NAIA National Coach of the Year, boasting three undefeated seasons at LR… Led ECU to most successful three-year campaign in school history (27-3 from 1963-65).

Joe Taylor-Howard (1983), Virginia Union (1984-91), Hampton (1992-07), Florida A&M (2008-12)-Winningest coach in Hampton history (74%), leading Pirates to four Black College National Championships…Led teams to 10 conference titles and 10 playoff appearances throughout career…Four-time MEAC Coach of the Year.

Mel Tjeerdsma-Austin College (Texas) (1984-93), Northwest Missouri State (1994-10)-Led NW Mo. St. to seven Division II national championship games, winning in 1998, 1999, 2009…Four-time AFCA Coach of the Year who boasts most wins (183) in Northwest history…Led teams to 15 conference titles and 15 playoff appearances.

John Whitehead-Lehigh (1976-86)-Named Division II Coach of the Year in 1977 and Division I-AA Coach of the Year in 1979…Captured the 1977 Division II National Championship…Runner-up in the 1979 Division I-AA National Championship.

Alex Yunevich-Alfred (N.Y.) (1937-41, 1946-76)-Had six undefeated teams…His team was 1971 Lambert Bowl Division III champions of the East…Named Small College Coach of the Year in 1956 by the Washington Touchdown Club and same in 1971 by the NY Football Writers.

Allen Zikmund-Nebraska-Kearney (formerly Kearney State) (1955-71)-His teams won 11 conference titles…Nine of his players were named NAIA All-Americas and 67 made All-Conference…Member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.