Celebrating Legends: The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class
In a year that promises to be memorable for college football enthusiasts, the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class is set to honor some of the most iconic figures in the sport. Urban Meyer will join the legendary Nick Saban in this prestigious class, alongside former players like Michael Vick and Michael Strahan, who have left indelible marks on the game.
The National Football Foundation made waves last week when it announced Nick Saban’s selection, and the excitement only grew with the full reveal of the 18-player, four-coach class on Wednesday. This year’s inductees are a testament to the rich history and evolving legacy of college football.
Nick Saban: A Coaching Titan
Nick Saban, who retired last year, leaves behind a legacy that is hard to match. With a record of 292-71-1 over 28 seasons at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama, Saban’s career is a masterclass in coaching excellence. His seven national championships, including one at LSU and six at Alabama, set the benchmark for success in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Urban Meyer: A Champion’s Journey
Urban Meyer’s coaching career is equally impressive, with a record of 187-32 and three national championships over 17 seasons at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State. Meyer’s ability to transform programs is evident in his 22-2 record at Utah and his national titles at Florida in 2006 and 2008. His tenure at Ohio State was marked by a third national championship in 2014 and an 83-9 record over seven seasons.
Michael Vick: A Dual-Threat Dynamo
Michael Vick’s time at Virginia Tech was nothing short of electrifying. As a dual-threat quarterback, he led the Hokies to a 22-2 record and the 1999 national championship game. Despite a career interrupted by legal issues, Vick’s resilience saw him return to the NFL, and he now embarks on a new chapter as Norfolk State’s head coach.
Michael Strahan: From the Gridiron to the Spotlight
Michael Strahan’s journey from Texas Southern to the New York Giants is a story of determination and success. With 41.5 sacks in college and a 15-season NFL career, Strahan’s impact on the field was profound. Now a familiar face on “Good Morning America” and “Fox NFL Sunday,” Strahan continues to influence the sport in new ways.
Other Notable Inductees
- Terry Hanratty: As Ara Parseghian’s quarterback at Notre Dame, Hanratty was 24-4-2 and helped lead the 1966 team to a share of the national championship.
- Montee Ball: The Wisconsin standout won the 2012 Doak Walker Award and tied Barry Sanders’ NCAA record of 39 total touchdowns in a season.
The class also includes Gregg Carr of Auburn, Blake Elliott of Saint John’s (Minnesota), Greg Eslinger of Minnesota, Graham Harrell of Texas Tech, John Henderson of Tennessee, Michael Huff of Texas, Jim Kleinsasser of North Dakota, Alex Mack of California, Terrence Metcalf of Mississippi, Haloti Ngata of Oregon, Steve Slaton of West Virginia, Darrin Smith of Miami, Dennis Thurman of Southern California, and Ryan Yarborough of Wyoming.
Coaching Legends
Joining Saban and Meyer are coaches Larry Blakeney of Troy and Larry “Bub” Korver of Northwestern College (Iowa). Blakeney’s tenure at Troy saw the program rise from Division II to the FBS, with a record of 178-113-1. Korver’s 28-year career at Northwestern was marked by two NAIA championships and a 212-77-6 record.
The 2025 class will be officially inducted on December 9 during an awards dinner in Las Vegas, with the Hall of Fame located in Atlanta. This event promises to be a celebration of the achievements and contributions of these remarkable individuals to the sport of college football.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
