9/30: College Football's Best and Brightest

September 30, 2025

Good morning, football fans! If you think you are too old to chase your college football dreams, think again! Here’s the story on 58-year-old Tom Cillo.

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame have recognized 179 of the finest college football players in the country, naming them semifinalists for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy!

Celebrating its 36th year, the Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

🏈 CLICK HERE to read more about this year’s semifinalists

Greg Eslinger may be among the youngest members of this year's College Football Hall of Fame class, but his recruitment to the FBS level illustrates just how much the sport has changed in a short period of time.

"The only way things worked out for me at Minnesota was because my old man and I sat down after my junior season, made a highlight tape, a VHS, and then we had an old family friend that was connected to coaches in the North Central area," said Eslinger, who grew up in Bismarck, N.D.

🏈 CLICK HERE to read Greg Eslinger’s 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Spotlight

Blake Elliott had been on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot before, but he knew not to get his hopes up. After all, a Division III player had not made the Hall since 2019 - and that was London Fletcher, a 16-year NFL veteran. There was no discriminating against small-school standouts, but those who did make it recently - such as Randy Moss in 2024 - were household names.

Elliott? He was a guy whose driver's license had listed him at 5-foot-6, 155 pounds. He went to nearby Saint John's University in Minnesota. His college career ended more than two decades ago.

He was not drafted.

But boy was he good. And the Hall doesn't overlook anyone, regardless of school or platform.

🏈 CLICK HERE to read Blake Elliott’s 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Spotlight

Oregon, Ole Miss and Texas A&M all join the top-five in this week’s FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll! Check out the Week 5 poll below!

In the latest episode of the Good in the Game Podcast, host LaVar Arrington sits down with longtime ESPN reporter Holly Rowe to chat about her career, getting started in the business, how football helped save her life and what she wants her legacy to be.

Join us to celebrate college football legends at one of the sport's grandest traditions!

The highlight of the Awards Dinner will be the induction of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class, where 18 legendary players and four acclaimed coaches take their place amongst the greatest of all time. The inductees proudly represent every region of the country, 28 collegiate institutions, 11 conferences, and seven decades.

For the second year in a row, Indiana football and head coach Curt Cignetti are turning heads and changing minds!

Carl Reese, who played collegiately at Missouri and served as a defensive coordinator for 31 total years at six different schools stretching from 1970-2010, has passed away. He was 82.

Bill Ferrario, an All-Big Ten offensive lineman at Wisconsin who won back-to-back Rose Bowls in 1999 and 2000 before being selected in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, has passed away. He was 47.

Rudi Johnson, a running back at Butler Community College and Auburn before running for nearly 6,000 yards and 49 touchdowns in 95 career NFL games, has passed away. He was 45.

Name: Dr. Rick Brewer
College: Colorado State
Occupation: Elementary school principal

How has football impacted your life?
“When you say ‘I played football,’ there’s instant recognition of what it takes to be an athlete in that sport. It’s not just about you, but it does depend on you doing your job.”

Share your football story with us! We want to know what football means to you, the lessons you learned, and the opportunities it provided.

October 22 — Announcement of the 2025 Campbell Trophy® Finalists and the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments

December 9 — 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas at Bellagio Resort & Casino

December 9 — Announcement of the winner of the 36th NFF William V. Campbell Trophy® during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas

January 19, 2026 — CFP National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

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