College Football Hall of Fame Names Inductees

By SALVATORE ROMANO

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced the 2013 College Football Hall of Fame inductees at NASDAQ OMX MarketSite in Manhattan Tuesday.

From a national ballot of 77 candidates, 12 First Team All-America players and two coaches were granted a place in college football’s ultimate shrine.

The 2013 College Football Hall of Fame Class, which spans five decades, includes:

• Ted Brown – North Carolina State tailback from 1975 to 1978 known as the most accomplished rusher in Atlantic Coast Conference football history, holding the league’s career records at 4,602 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns. He is the fifth member of the North Carolina State Wolfpack to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Teddy Bruschi – University of Arizona defensive end from 1992 to 1995. Known as one of the most feared defenders of his era and a member of Coach Dick Tomey’s “Desert Swarm” defense, he holds the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision record in career sacks with 52 quarterback takedowns. He is the fourth Arizona Wildcat to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Ron Dwayne – University of Wisconsin running back from 1996 to 1999. He became the all-time leading rusher and first-player to reach the 7,000-yard plateau in Football Bowl Subdivision history during the 1999 season with his 7,125 career rushing years. He is the eighth Wisconsin Badger to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Tommie Frazier – University of Nebraska quarterback from 1992 to 1995. He helped College Football Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne and the University of Nebraska to back-to-back perfect national championship seasons in 1994 and 1995. He is the 16th Nebraska Cornhusker to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Jerry Gray – University of Texas defensive back from 1981 to 1984. He is known as one of the fiercest defensive stalwarts of the old Southwest Conference. He is the 15th Texas Longhorn to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Steve Meilinger – University of Kentucky end from 1951 to 1953. Known as “Mr. Anywhere” for his versatility and value, he is boasted as one of the mid-20th century’s most acclaimed two-way stars. He is the fourth Kentucky Wildcat to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Orlando Pace – Ohio State University offensive tackle from 1994 to 1996. He is dubbed the “Pancake Man” for his ability to flatten his opponents with his powerful blocking techniques. He is the 24th Ohio Buckeye to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Rod Shoate – University of Oklahoma linebacker from 1972 to 1974. His speed is described as like that of a running back combined with marvelous strength, making him a force to be reckoned with. He is the 20th Oklahoma Sooner to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Percy Snow – Michigan State University linebacker from 1986 to 1989. He is the first player in College Football history to win both the Butkus and Lombardi trophies in the same season. He was also the backbone of Michigan State’s famous “Gang Green” defense in the late ’80s. He is the seventh Michigan Spartan to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Vinny Testaverde – University of Miami quarterback in 1982, and from 1984 to 1986. He is known for claiming virtually every major award during his senior season in 1986. He is the sixth Miami Hurricane to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Don Trull – Baylor University quarterback from 1961 to 1963. With over 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns in his career, he became Baylor University’s first-ever National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete. He is the seventh Baylor Bear to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Danny Wuerffel – University of Florida quarterback from 1993 to 1996. He is the first player in College Football history to win the Heisman and National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy. He is the seventh Florida Gator to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.

And the newly inducted coaches:

• Wayne Hardin – United States Naval Academy and Temple University head coach. He has a record of 118 wins, 74 losses and five ties. He is Temple University’s most successful coach and the Naval Academy’s only two Heisman Trophy winners.
• Bill McCartney – University of Colorado head coach. He has a record of 93 wins, 55 losses, and five ties. He led the Colorado Buffaloes to their first national title and to more College Bowl games than any other coach in Colorado University history.

“We could not be more proud to announce the 2013 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” said National Football Foundation chairman Archie Manning. “These players and coaches are some of the greatest to have ever participated in our sport, and we offer our most sincere congratulations to each of them for this incredible achievement.”

Photo of Ted Bruschi by Salvatore Romano