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USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Three Florida football legends land on 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Three Florida football legends land on 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot Three former Florida football greats are among the nominees for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class. The National Football Foundation announced on Monday that defensive linemen Alex Brown and Brad Culpepper, along with wide receiver Percy Harvin, are part of a star-studded ballot that includes 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, along with 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks. Ballots are distributed to more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers. Voting closes July 1, with the 2026 class to be officially announced early next year. Brown, a dominant pass rusher from 1998 to 2001, was a consensus All-American and two-time first-team All-SEC selection. He ranks second all-time in career sacks for Florida and played a critical role in the Gators' 2000 SEC Championship run. Brown later enjoyed a successful NFL career with the Chicago Bears. Culpepper anchored the Gators' defensive line in the early 1990s and earned consensus All-America honors in 1991. Known for his strength and intelligence, Culpepper was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy and the recipient of an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. He played nine seasons in the NFL and remains involved in advocacy for athletes post-retirement. Harvin, one of the most electrifying players in college football during his time, was a key figure in Florida's national championships in 2006 and 2008. The versatile receiver and return man scored 32 total touchdowns in just three seasons, earning All-American honors before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. With this trio under consideration, Florida continues to assert its historic legacy within the sport. The Gators boast multiple inductees in the College Football Hall of Fame, including Steve Spurrier, Emmitt Smith and Tim Tebow. Urban Meyer was the latest Gator to be inducted as part of the 2025 class. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Check out these highlights of new Denver Broncos UDFA OL Xavier Truss
The Denver Broncos are bulking up on both sides of the ball in order to compete for the top spots in the AFC playoff pecking order. One of the additions the Broncos made post-draft was signing undrafted free agent offensive lineman Xavier Truss from the University of Georgia. Truss (6-7, 320 pounds) came to the Bulldogs in the 2019 season, playing in three games his true freshman year and six games in 2020 (including starting the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against Cincinnati), before breaking out in the 2021 season. In 2021, Truss was a reserve offensive lineman in all 15 games for Georgia in the first of their back-to-back championship runs. Advertisement In 2022, Truss started 14 of 15 games at left tackle, spearheading the left side of the line for Georgia's second-straight championship. Truss then started 13 of 14 games in 2023, where Georgia was ranked fifth nationally in total offense, offensive passing efficiency and scoring offense. In 2024, Truss was nationally recognized as a Senior Bowl and Outland Trophy Watchlist selection. Truss was invited to the 2025 NFL combine, where he ran a 5.24-second 40-yard dash, with a 26-inch vertical. Check out some of Truss' highlights from a 2024 game against South Carolina. In the video, Truss is wearing No. 73. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Check out these highlights of UDFA OL Xavier Truss
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-Rams DT Aaron Donald named among the top-25 best college players since 2000
Ex-Rams DT Aaron Donald named among the top-25 best college players since 2000 The Los Angeles Rams drafted a generational player when they took Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald with the No. 13 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Donald put together a likely Hall-of-Fame NFL career, but he was also one of the best college players of the past 25 seasons, according to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman. Feldman ranked Donald the No. 20 player on his top-25 college players since 2000 list. "Everything Donald was doing in the NFL for the Rams he first did for Pitt," Feldman wrote. "He had at least 16 tackles for loss in three consecutive seasons, capping his career by winning just about every college award a D-lineman can get in 2013: the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award. "'His production was off the charts,' said NFL Network's Bucky Brooks, a former NFL scout. 'It was ridiculous for a D-tackle to have that kind of stuff. He dominated.' "In all, his 67 tackles for loss lead all defensive tackles in the 2000s." Donald finished his collegiate career with 29.5 sacks, 67 tackles for a loss and six forced fumbles. Those are impressive numbers over just 51 games, but they paled in comparison to his NFL production. Donald totaled 111 sacks, 176 tackles for a loss and 24 forced fumbles in 154 career games over 10 seasons. His work led to a Pro Bowl selection in all 10 seasons as well as eight first-time All-Pro teams and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. While this was a college-only list, Donald proved that his production at that level led directly to his NFL dominance.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson is all over CBS Sports' 2025 college football award winner predictions
Clemson is all over CBS Sports' 2025 college football award winner predictions CBS Sports is forecasting a big year for several of Clemson's top playmakers. In its annual predictions for major college football awards, CBS named Cade Klubnik, T.J. Parker and Peter Woods as expected winners of national honors in 2025. Klubnik is projected to win the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's best quarterback. CBS' Will Backus wrote that Klubnik stands out due to his mobility, experience, and chemistry with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. 'Klubnik also benefits from an excellent supporting class, highlighted by the ACC's top returning receiver in Antonio Williams,' Backus noted. Parker is CBS' pick for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which honors college football's top defensive player. After leading the nation with 12 sacks last season, Parker's ability to disrupt from the edge has him poised for more recognition. 'Few are better there than Parker,' Backus wrote. Woods is projected to win the Outland Trophy as the top interior lineman. Known for his elite athleticism and power, Woods racked up 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks last season. 'He's the type of defensive tackle that routinely commands double teams,' Backus said, adding that his presence opens up opportunities for teammates like Parker. Klubnik, Parker and Woods were the only ACC players included in CBS Sports' award predictions. CBS tabbed Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith as the early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aaron Donald headlines new Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Class
This article originally appeared on Same Young (men's basketball), Bob Jury (football), Jerry DeMuro (men's swimming), Jessica Dignon (softball), Wanda Randolph (women's basketball), Amanda Walker (women's track and field) and Jack Anderson (contributor: Pitt band) make up the rest of the eight-member class. Advertisement Donald, a Penn Hills grad, starred at Pitt as a defensive tackle from 2010-13. He was a Unanimous First Team All-American as a senior after leading the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss, along with 11 sacks and four forced fumbles. He also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award. Click here to read more from Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
