Three Heisman winners featured on 2019 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Heisman winners Eric Crouch (Nebraska ’01), Carson Palmer (USC ’02) and Rashaan Salaam (Colorado ’94) are among the 76 Football Bowl Subdivision players included on the 2019 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today (June 4).
“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the ballot when you think that more than 5.26 million people have played college football and only 997 players have been inducted,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of about 1,500 individuals who are even eligible. Being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played the game, and those actually elected to the Class will be part of a momentous year as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of college football in 2019.”
The ballot was emailed today 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 will deliberate and select the class. The FBS Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and two-time Heisman winner 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.
Crouch, who won Nebraska’s third Heisman, ended his Cornhuskers career by holding 32 school records. He was one of three quarterbacks in NCAA history to rush for 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards in a career, while becoming just the 13th quarterback in NCAA history to rush and pass for 1,000 yards in the same season in 2001.
Palmer, who won USC’s fifth Heisman, wound up the Pac-10’s career passing and total offense leader and set numerous USC career records along the way. He went on to be the number one pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, where he played for several years before productive stints at Oakland and Arizona.
Salaam, winner of Colorado’s sole Heisman, joined Marcus Allen, Mike Rozier and Barry Sanders in the 2,000 yard rushing club. He totaled 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season while averaging a remarkable 7.61 yards per carry. Salaam helped guide the Buffaloes to a 10-1 regular season record and a No. 4 ranking. He passed away just this past December.
In addition to the three Heisman winners, the group also includes five Heisman runners up: Michael Bishop (’98), Keith Byars (’84), Raghib Ismail (’90), Darren McFadden (’06 and ’07) and Vince Young (’05).
The announcement of the 2019 Class will be made Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played later that day at Levi’s Stadium. Some of the electees will be on site during the announcement to represent the class and share their thoughts on being elected. The Jan. 7 announcement will be televised live, and specific viewing information will be available as the date draws near. Several of the electees will also participate in the pregame festivities and the coin toss before the championship game.
