Hall of Fame: Thomas, Sapp, Williams among names waiting

Ken Bradley

Hall of Fame: Thomas, Sapp, Williams among names waiting image

On Thursday, the 2014 College Football Hall of Fame class will be introduced. Here are each of the player and coach nominees.

LB Trev Alberts, Nebraska

Won the Butkus Award, was the Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American in 1983.

RB Eric Bieniemy, Colorado

A key piece to the Buffaloes winning the 1990 national championship, Bieniemy ran for 1,628 yards and 17 TDs, was a first-team All-American and third in Heisman voting.

CB Dre Bly, North Carolina

Intercepted 20 passes during his career in Chapel Hill, including a single-season record 11 as a redshirt freshman in 1996 and was a three-time All-American before St. Louis drafted him in the second round.

OT Tony Boselli, USC

Was named first-team All-American in 1992 and 1994 and was taken No. 2 overall in the 1995 — the first pick in franchise history for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

LB Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma

Simply known as “The Boz,” the linebacker was one of the most recognized, loved and hated player in college football. Won the Butkus Award in 1985 and 1986 when he was also a first-team All-American.

LB Bob Breunig, Arizona State

A tackling machine, Breunig held the Sun Devils’ career mark for tackles (353) and single-season tackles (145) when he left in 1974. He was twice named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year and won the Silver Anniversary Butkus Award.

DT Jerome Brown, Miami

As a senior, Brown was a first-team All-American and Outland and Lombardi award finalist.

OT Ruben Brown, Pittsburgh

Brown was a first-team All-American iin 1994 and three-time All-Big East player. He was taken 14th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft by Buffalo and went on to be a nine-time Pro Bowler.

SE Larry Burton, Purdue

Led the Big Ten in receptions (38) and receiving yards (702) in 1974. He was a first-team All-American and Outstanding College Athlete of America in 1974.

DT Dave Butz, Purdue

An All-American in 1972, Butz was a finalist for the Lombardi Award as well. He was drafted fifth overall by St. Louis, but spent most of his career with Washington where he won two Super Bowls.

LB Freddie Carr, UTEP

Piled up 410 career tackles, including 148 in one season. He was a first-team All-American in ’72 and the Packers took him fifth overall in the NFL Draft.

S Mark Carrier, USC

Won the Jim Thorpe Award in 1989 when he picked off seven passes. He was an All-American in 1988 and ’89.

WR Wes Chandler, Florida

He led the Gators in receiving for three straight seasons, accumulating 1,994 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. He was named first-team All-American in 1977.

LB Shane Conlan, Penn State

Conlan was integral in the Nittany Lions playing for two national titles and winning it in 1986. He was an All-American that season and Butkus finalist.

QB Tim Couch, Kentucky

In 1998, Couch was the SEC Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. He threw for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns. He led the nation in completions in 1997 and ’98. The Browns selected him first overall in the 1999 NFL Draft.

LB Tom Cousineau, Ohio State

Despite finishing at Ohio State in 1978, he still holds six Buckeye records, including 29 tackles in a single game and 211 in a season (1978). He was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten player.

LB Bob Crable, Notre Dame

A tackling machine, Crable holds Irish records for career tackles, tackles in a season and in a single game. He was an All-American in 1980 and 1981.

C/LB Paul Crane, Alabama

He was the SEC Lineman of the Year in 1965, an All-American and helped the Crimson Tide win back-to-back national championships.

QB Eric Crouch, Nebraska

In 2001, Crouch won the Heisman, Walter Camp and Davey O’Brien awards. He threw for 4,481 yards and 29 TDs and ran for another 3,434 yards and 59 scores.

QB/P Randall Cunningham, UNLV

He threw for 8,290 yards and 60 TDs at UNLV, but it was punter where he received most praise in college. He was an All-American punter in 1983, second-team in 1984 and honorable mention as a quarterback in ’84. He went on to a successful NFL career, as a quarterback.

RB Troy Davis, Iowa State

He piled up yards for the Cyclones, becoming the only player to top 2,000 yards in two seasons, gaining 2,010 and 2,185 in 1995-96. He was a two-time All-American and Heisman finalist both seasons.

RB Eric Dickerson, SMU

Ran for 1,428 yards and 19 scores as a junior in 1981 and followed that with 1,617 yards and 17 TDs as a senior. He was the Southwest Conference player of the year both seasons.

DT Mike Dirks, Wyoming

Finished his career with 210 tackles and 59 tackles for loss. He was a first-team All-American in 1967 and two-time first-team All-WAC.

RB D.J. Dozier, Penn State

Helped the Nittany Lions to the 1986 national title by rushing for 811 yards and 10 TDs. He finished his career with 3,227 rushing yards, 613 receiving yards and 29 total TDs. He was an All-American in ’86 and eighth in Heisman voting.

KR/WR Tim Dwight, Iowa

A very good receiver — he caught 127 passes for 2,075 yards and 21 scores over three seasons — but a dynamic kick returner. He averaged 15.7 yards per punt return in his career and scored five times (three as a senior in 1997). He was a two-time All-American.

OT Jumbo Elliott, Michigan

Was a two-time All-American and two-time All-Big Ten performer for the Wolverines in 1986-87.

DT William Fuller, North Carolina

Holds the UNC record with 57 tackles for loss and broke Lawrence Taylor’s school record with 22 tackles for loss in 1981 when he was an All-American.

SE Thom Gatewood, Notre Dame

A first-team All-American in 1970, Gatewood was the first African-American captain in Notre Dame history. He caught 157 passes for 2,283 yards and 19 scores for the Irish.

WR/KR Willie Gault, Tennessee

In four seasons, caught 89 passes for 1,482 yards and 10 touchdowns. But as a kick returner, he had three touchdowns on kickoffs in 1980, one as a punt returner in 1981 and another kickoff return for a score the following season.

WR Kirk Gibson, Michigan State

Known for his baseball playing career, the current Arizona manager belted 255 career home runs in the majors. At MSU, he caught 112 passes for 2,347 yards and 24 TDs. He twice led the Big Ten in receiving yards and was a first-team All-American in 1978.

PK Charlie Gogolak, Princeton

Helped popularize the soccer-style technique, Gogolak was a first-team All-American in 1965 and set seven NCAA records at the time.

QB Joe Hamilton, Georgia Tech

Had a huge 1999 season when he was Heisman runner-up, but named All-American, was ACC Player of the Year and won the Davey O’Brien award. He threw for 8,882 yards and 65 TDs and ran for 1,758 yards with 18 scores.

DE Al Harris, Arizona State

Set a school record with 19 sacks in 1978 when he was a first-team All-American and finalist for the Lombardi and Outland awards.

LB Dana Howard, Illinois

The Illini’s all-time leading tackler, Howard won the Butkus in 1994, was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-American.

DB Randy Hughes, Oklahoma

Had 14 career interceptions and was an All-American on the 1974 Sooners’ national championship team.

RB Bobby Humphrey, Alabama

Had 3,420 career rushing yards, including 1,471 in 1986 and 1,255 in 1987. Was a first-team All-American in ’87 and named UPI Offensive Player of the Year.

WR/KR Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame

A two-time All-American and runner-up for the Heisman, Ismail led the Irish to the 1990 national championship. During his career, he had five TD runs, four TD receptions and six kick returns for scores.

SE Roy Jefferson, Utah

A two-time All-WAC receiver, Jefferson led the WAC with 29 receptions and 435 receiving yards in 1963 and was a first-team All-American in 1964.

WR Ernie Jennings, Air Force

An All-American in 1970, Jennings had 74 catches for 1,289 yards and led the nation with 17 TD receptions. He holds every single season and career receiving record at Air Force.

WR Keyshawn Johnson, USC

In two seasons caught 168 passes for 2,796 yards and 16 TDs. He was second in the nation in receiving yards in 1994 with 1,362 yards and again in 1995 with 1,434 yards. The Jets selected him first overall in the 1996 draft.

HB Clinton Jones, Michigan State

Gained 2,034 yards with 20 touchdowns in three seasons for the Spartans. In 1966 he was an All-American and gained 784 yards with six touchdowns in leading the team to two consecutive national titles.

OT Lincoln Kennedy, Washington

Was twice named the Pac-10’s top offensive lineman and was a first-team All-American in leading the Huskies to the 1991 national title. Atlanta drafted him ninth overall in 1993.

DT Tim Krumie, Wisconsin

Piled up 444 career tackles — he led the Badgers in tackles in each of his four seasons — and was a three-time All-Big Ten performer and an All-American in 1981.

RB Greg Lewis, Washington

Won the Doak Walker award in 1990 and was an All-American when he ran for 1,279 yards and eight TDs. He compiled 2,678 career rushing yards, 22 TDs and another 797 receiving yards.

DT Jess Lewis, Oregon State

An All-American in 1967 and two-time All-Pac-8 player, Lewis was also a three-time conference champion in wrestling as well as three-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion.

LB Ray Lewis, Miami

Led the Big East in tackles twice and compiled 388 career stops. He was an All-American in 1995 and runner-up for the Butkus. Went on to an illustrious NFL career that included two Super Bowl titles and 13 Pro Bowls.

RB Rob Lytle, Michigan

Ran for 3,311 yards with 26 touchdowns in three seasons. In 1976, Lytle was an All-American and finished third in Heisman voting after running for 1,469 yards and 14 touchdowns.

OT Bob McKay, Texas

Was a key part to the Longhorns’ national title in 1969 and earned All-American and All-SWC honors.

QB Cade McNown, UCLA

An All-American in 1998, McNown also finished third in Heisman voting that season when he threw for 3,470 yards and 25 TDs. He threw for 10,708 career yards, 68 touchdowns and added another 16 scores on the ground.

DL Mark Messner, Michigan

Was named All-Big Ten four times, was the conference’s 1988 Player of the Year and was an All-American that season as well.

HB Darrin Nelson, Stanford

First player to gain at least 1,000 yards rushing and catch at least 50 passes in 1977 when he gained 1,069 yards and caught 50 passes for 524 yards as a freshman. He accomplished that feat two more times and left Stanford as the NCAA’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 6,885.

LB Ken Norton Jr., UCLA

Led the Bruins in tackles in 1986 (106) and 1987 (125) and was an All-American in 1987. He played in three Pro Bowls and is a four-time Super Bowl champion.

FB Tom Nowatzke, Indiana

He ran for 1,500 yards in three season and led the Big Ten with 756 rushing yards in 1963. A two-time All-Big Ten player, he was drafted in the first round of the NFL and AFL drafts.

FB Jim Otis, Ohio State

Piled up 2,542 career rushing yards and 34 TDS, including 1,027 yards and 15 TDs in 1969 when he was named All-American. Led the Buckeyes in rushing three times.

RB Paul Palmer, Temple

Had a monster senior year with 1,866 rushing yards and 15 TDs in 1986. He had 4,895 career rushing yards, 39 TDs and 709 receiving yards. He set 23 Temple records and was an All-American as a senior.

QB Antwaan Randle-El, Indiana

A dynamic playmaker, he threw for 7,469 yards, 42 TDs and ran for 3,895 yards and another 44 scores. He was the first player to throw for 6,000 yards and rush for 3,000 and was college football’s all-time leading rusher for quarterbacks when he finished his college career.

LB Simeon Rice, Illinois

Registered 44.5 career sacks and 69 tackles for loss in being named three-time All-Big Ten and twice a first-team All-American.

LB Ron Rivera, California

Led the team in tackles from 1981 to ’83, was a first-team All-American in 1983 and also Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He was the AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2013 with the Carolina Panthers.

OL Willie Roaf, Louisiana Tech

Roaf was a first-team All-American in 1992 and Outland Trophy finalist. He was taken eighth by New Orleans in the 1993 draft and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

NG Mike Ruth, Boston College

Ruth piled up 344 career tackles and 29 sacks and was the 1995 Outland Trophy winner and an All-American.

RB Rashaan Salaam, Colorado

Won the Heisman Trophy in 1994 when he ran for 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also won the Doak Walker and Walker Camp Player of the Year awards.

DT Warren Sapp, Miami

How good was Sapp? Good enough to finish sixth in the Heisman voting in 1994 when he won the Lombardi and Nagurski awards and was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

QB John Sciarra, UCLA

An All-American in 1975, Sciarra threw for 787 yards and 14 TDs that season. He was the 1976 Rose Bowl Player of the Game and a first-team All-Pac-8 QB in ’75.

WR Larry Seivers, Tennessee

Consensus All-American in 1975 and ’76, Seivers caught 117 passes for 1,924 career yards. He led the SEC in receptions those two seasons with 41 and 51 catches, respectively.

WR Sterling Sharpe, South Carolina

Left Columbia with nearly every notable receiving record. He caught 169 passes for 2,497 yards and 17 TDs and had a monster season in 1986 with 74-1,106-10 and also had two rushing scores.

DE Art Still, Kentucky

Led Kentucky to the 1976 SEC championship, was named All-American and two-time, first-team All-SEC performer. In 1977, he was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year with a school-record 22 tackles for loss.

LB Derrick Thomas, Alabama

A nearly unblockable pass rusher, Thomas had 52 career sacks and 74 tackles for loss. He won the Butkus Award in 1988 and was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

LB Zach Thomas, Texas Tech

A two-time All-American, Thomas also was twice the SWC Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his career with 390 tackles.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU

Was an All-American and won the Doak Walker Award in 2000 when he rushed for 2,158 yards and scored 22 TDs. He completed his career with 5,387 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns.

LB Jackie Walker, Tennessee

Returned five interceptions for touchdowns during his career. He was twice named first-team All-American and was a two-time All-SEC selection.

TE Wesley Walls, Ole Miss

Started at defensive end in Oxford, then moved to linebacker and then to tight end — he actually played both ways — as a senior. He caught 36 passes for 426 yards and three TDs and played in five Pro Bowls in the NFL.

RB Lorenzo White, Michigan State

Had two huge seasons — he ran for 2,066 yards and 17 TDs in 1985 and for another 1,572 yards and 16 TDs in 1987. He became the first player to lead the Spartans in rushing for four consecutive seasons.

RB Clarence Williams, Washington State

A first-team All-American in 1964, he twice led the Cougars in rushing, scoring and kickoff returns.

RB Ricky Williams, Texas

Won the Heisman in 1998 when he gained 2,124 yards and scored 27 touchdowns. He is the NCAA’s third all-time leading rusher with 6,279 yards and added 72 TDs (also third). He also won the Doak Walker in 1997 and 1998 and the Walter Camp and Maxwell awards in 1998.

G Steve Wisniewski, Penn State

He was a first-team All-American in 1988 and a member of the 1986 national title team that went 12-0. Was taken in the second round by the Raiders and was an eight-time All-Pro pick in the NFL.

Coaches

Mike Bellotti

Winningest coach on Oregon history with 116 wins, including the Ducks’ first four 10-win seasons. His best season was 2001 when Oregon finished 11-1 with a win in the Fiesta Bowl.

Danny Ford

Took Clemson to the national title in 1981 when the Tigers finished 12-0. He won five ACC championships as well.

Ken Bradley