FBS Players
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.
Mike Doss, Ohio State-Defensive Back-Three-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors as a senior…2002 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection…Led Buckeyes to the 2003 BCS National Championship, earning Defensive MVP honors.
Tony Franklin, Texas A&M-Placekicker-Two-time First Team All-America (1976-consensus, ’78)…Led A&M to four bowl appearances…Set seven NCAA records, including most 50 yards-plus field goals made (15) and most points scored by a kicker in a career (291).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Dan Morgan, Miami (FL)-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.
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.
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).
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.
Some FBS player thoughts:
As a Cal fan and alum, Tony Gonzalez is a bit of a sentimental choice. In terms of production, his college career doesn't come close to that of the other tight end on my ballot. Pete Mitchell. I attended/watched every game of Gonzalez's Cal career. He's the best college tight end I've ever seen. He was a modest team's most dangerous offensive weapon. He was probably the only offensive weapon. The single season coached by Steve Mariucci was the only season in which Gonzalez was used properly and he still wasn't used enough. He was the best football player on the field in nearly every game that he played during that season.
It might seem silly to vote for linebackers James Laurinaitis and Dan Morgan over Ray Lewis. Laurinaitis was one of the best college linebackers of my lifetime. Morgan had one of the best seasons from a linebacker in sweeping the defensive awards in 2000. In my opinion, both Laurinaitis and Morgan had better college careers than Lewis.
In these votes I try to favor a great college career over a single outstanding season. Carson Palmer is an exception to that. His play in 2002 was ridiculous. Aaron Rodgers and Joe Roth are the best college quarterbacks that I've ever seen in person. Carson Palmer is next.
Tony Franklin is probably the only kicker that ever intrigued me like an offensive or defense player. I've never seen a kicker impact a game quite like he did. Plus, his barefoot kicking sure was a curiosity.
FBS Coaches
Gary Pinkel-Toledo (1991-2000), Missouri (2001-15)-Winningest coach in history at both Missouri and Toledo…Led Rockets to 1995 MAC title and boasts nine conference division titles between both schools…Took teams to 11 bowl games, with 7-4 overall record in the postseason…Earned FieldTurf National Coach of the Year and Big 12 Coach of the Year honors after leading Mizzou to its first No. 1 national ranking since 1960 during the 2007 season.
Bob Stoops-Oklahoma (1999-2016)-Boasts the most wins in school history, leading OU to four championship game appearances and winning the 2000 national title…Only coach in the BCS era to win a national championship and every BCS bowl game…Led the Sooners to 10 Big 12 titles and a school-record 18 consecutive bowl games...2000 AP National Coach of the Year and six-time Big 12 Coach of the Year.
Divisional Players
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).
Keith Elias, Princeton-Running Back-Two-time First Team All-American (1992-93) and 1993 Ivy League Player of the Year…Princeton’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,208) and rushing touchdowns (49)…Three-time All-Ivy performer who helped the Tigers to the 1992 conference title.
Blake Elliott, Saint John’s (MN)-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.
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 12.50 tackles per game in career.
Some Divisional player thoughts:
Limiting the vote to only four divisional players is ridiculous. Especially when 99 divisional players are on the ballot. Here are a few of the players that would've been on my ballot if the divisional players received the respect they deserve.
Bill Borchert, Mount Union (OH)-Quarterback
Joe Campbell, Middle Tennessee State-Running Back
William Campbell, Western Colorado-Defensive Back
Peter Catan, Eastern Illinois-Defensive End
Parnell Dickinson, Mississippi Valley State-Quarterback
Curtis Eller, Villanova-Linebacker
Don Griffin, Middle Tennessee State-Safety
Calvin Harrell, Arkansas State-Running Back
Bob Heller, Wesleyan (CT)-Center
Louis Jackson, Cal Poly S.L.O.-Running Back
Al Lucas, Troy-Defensive Lineman
Fran McDermott, St. Mary’s (CA)-Defensive Back
Carl Morris, Harvard-Wide Receiver
Alonzo Patterson, Wagner-Running Back
Tyrone Poole, Fort Valley State (GA)-Defensive Back
Dennis Thomas, Alcorn State-Center
Four players isn't enough.
Divisional Coaches
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.
Pete Schmidt-Albion (MI) (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.
***
In the six frustrating years that it took Cris Carter to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I criticized those voters without restraint. Voting on this sort of thing is a tough job. Deep down, I knew that the voters faced really tough decisions throughout Carter's wait. I really know it now. My vote on the College Football Hall of Fame is one of thousands. It doesn't tip the scales much but it's important to me. I want to get it right but right is always subjective. One of the toughest choices I had to make on this vote was not including Illinois defensive tackle Moe Gardner. He had an outstanding college career. Just mentioning his name again makes me want to try and retrieve my ballot and swap him in for a player. But for whom? It's always easy to toss out the kicker. Anyway, I don't take lightly this opportunity to have a say in the College Football Hall of Fame. I feel good about my choices. I'm sorry Moe. It might not mean much now but I'll get you next year.
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