Nice honor for some former Birds here:

IRVING, Texas (Jan. 9, 2023) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class during “Championship Drive Presented by Mercedes-Benz” on ESPN.

2023 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

PLAYERS: 

  • Eric Berry – DB, Tennessee (2007-09)
  • Michael Bishop – QB, Kansas State (1997-98)
  • Reggie Bush – RB, Southern California (2003-05)
  • Dwight Freeney – DE, Syracuse (1998-2001)
  • Robert Gallery – OT, Iowa (2000-03)
  • LaMichael James – RB, Oregon (2009-11)
  • Derrick Johnson – LB, Texas (2001-04)
  • Bill Kollar – DT, Montana State (1971-73)
  • Luke Kuechly – LB, Boston College (2009-11)
  • Jeremy Maclin – WR/KR, Missouri (2007-08)
  • Terance Mathis – WR, New Mexico (1985-87, 1989)
  • Bryant McKinnie – OT, Miami [FL] (2000-01)
  • Corey Moore – DL, Virginia Tech (1997-99)
  • Michael Stonebreaker – LB, Notre Dame (1986, 1988, 1990)
  • Tim Tebow – QB, Florida (2006-09)
  • Troy Vincent – DB, Wisconsin (1988-91)
  • Brian Westbrook – RB, Villanova (1997-98, 2000-01)
  • DeAngelo Williams – RB, Memphis (2002-05)


That’s one hell of a class. Big names from big schools, like Tim Tebow and Reggie Bush, then Jeremy Maclin and Troy Vincent and a Villanova success story in B West. He’s the first Villanova player to go into the Hall, joining head coach Andy Talley, who led the Wildcats from 1986 to 2016 and won the 2009 FCS championship with a comeback victory over Montana.

Maclin, as you probably recall, was a stud at Mizzou. He only played two seasons but put up more than 2,300 receiving yards and 600 rushing yards, scoring 28 combined touchdowns. He was a 2014 Pro Bowler for the Eagles and the last Bird to go for 1,000 yards before A.J. Brown came around this season.

Vincent was, of course a five-time Pro Bowl player with the Eagles, but came into the NFL with a long list of college accolades, which are listed out on the Badgers’ website. He went into the Wisconsin athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.