The College Football Hall of Fame appears ready to induct more distinguished HBCU athletes into its ranks. The College Football Hall of Fame announced its list of candidates for the Class of 2025 on Monday.
NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell said, “It’s an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot considering more than 5.7 million people have played college football and only 1,093 players have been inducted. 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 we look forward to announcing the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class early next year.”
Michael Strahan heads the list of distinguished HBCU alumni eligible for induction this year. Strahan first made his mark in the football world as a decorated member of the Texas Southern Tigers football team. Strahan holds the single-season school record for sacks with 19 and a career record of 41.5. His extraordinary talent earned him multiple accolades, including being named two-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and Division I-AA (now considered FCS) Defensive Player of the Year.
Strahan transitioned seamlessly from college football to the NFL, where he won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants. Joining Strahan on this prestigious list of candidates is another two-time Super Bowl winner, Fort Valley State alumus Tyrone Poole. Poole secured back-to-back championships with the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004.
Mississippi Valley State is also well-represented, with former NFL cornerback Ashley Ambrose, NFL linebacker and current North Carolina A&T head coach Vincent Brown, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Parnell Dickinson all making the ballot. Maryland-Eastern Shore defensive end Carl Hairston played in Super Bowl IV for the Philadelphia Eagles. Winston-Salem State and Dallas Cowboys running back Timmy Newsome.
The list of nominees also includes legendary HBCU coaches who have left an indelible mark on college football, such as Morgan State’s Eddie P. Hurt, the renowned Grambling and North Carolina A&T coach Rod Broadway, North Carolina A&T and Winston-Salem coach Bill Hayes, and Hampton University football coach Gideon Smith.
The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be inducted at the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, presented by Las Vegas, on December 9, 2025, at the Bellagio Hotel & Resort. They will also receive an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, at their respective schools during the 2025 season. The 2025 voting deadline is July 1.
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