Good in the Game 12/17

Good morning, football fans! Look for us a day early in your inbox next week — we’ll be telling you all about the Good in the Game on Monday, Dec. 23!

Here’s what’s happened in Vegas!

Nineteen players and three coaches inducted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame!

The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class was introduced by NFF Board Member Archie Griffin, while NFF Chairman Archie Manning conducted the Official Hall of Fame Ring Ceremony. Inductees Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh), Dan Hampton (Arkansas) and coach Mark Dantonio (Cincinnati, Michigan State) spoke for the group:

"It is a tremendous honor," said Fitzgerald. "There is nothing greater than to be able to do something you truly love with your brothers and to be recognized, you know, in the highest way. All these men have done unbelievable things in their playing career, in their communities and paved the way for the next generation of players coming behind them."
 
"Everybody loves the game, and we are so fortunate," said Hampton. "Larry wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be here. Coach wouldn't be here if it wasn't about the actual team. And you know, at the end of the day, we were so fortunate. You say 1%. We're the lucky 1% because we were given an opportunity to go out and play this fantastic game."
 
"I know we're up here because we win a lot of games and things of that nature, but the wins and losses will not define you" said Coach Dantonio. "It'll be the people that played for you and how they handle adversity and go through their lives and become men and have families and the things that they do after."

The full group included players Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma State — 2009-11), Paul Cameron (HB, UCLA — 1951-53), Tim Couch (QB, Kentucky — 1996-98), Warrick Dunn (RB, Florida State — 1993-96), Armanti Edwards (QB, Appalachian State — 2006-09), Deon Figures (CB, Colorado — 1988, 1990-92), Larry Fitzgerald (WR, Pittsburgh — 2002-03), Toby Gerhart (RB, Stanford — 2006-09), Dan Hampton  (DT, Arkansas — 1975-78), Steve Hutchinson (OG, Michigan — 1997-2000), Antonio Langham (CB, Alabama — 1990-93), Randy Moss (WR/KR, Marshall — 1996-97), Julius Peppers (DE, North Carolina — 1999-2001), Paul Posluszny (LB, Penn State — 2003-06), Dewey Selmon (NG, Oklahoma — 1972-75), Alex Smith (QB, Utah — 2002-04), Kevin Smith (CB, Texas A&M — 1988-91), Chris Ward (OT, Ohio State — 1974-77) and Danny Woodhead (RB, Chadron State [NE] — 2004-07), as well as coaches Mark Dantonio (Cincinnati (2004-06), Michigan State (2007-19)), Danny Hale (West Chester [PA] (1984-88), Bloomsburg [PA] (1993-2012)) and Frank Solich (Nebraska (1998-2003), Ohio (2005-2020)).

Watch the video above to hear remarks from Fitzgerald, Hampton and Dantonio!

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe honored as the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy winner!

The 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®, comprised of 16 of the brightest and most talented football players in the nation, was honored in Las Vegas. The star of the show was Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, who was named the 35th winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy as college football’s top scholar-athlete.

"We're called student-athletes for a reason," said Milroe. "I've used football to help me achieve all my goals that I have set for myself when it comes to on and off the field. I think academics are truly a reflection of how much you put into something, and I was trying to [make it equivalent between] the football field and academics, which is trying to pursue to the best of my ability and be the best version of myself. I just want to say thank the National Football Foundation for this tremendous opportunity and for the people who paved the way."

The full 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments® included Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech), Robert Coury (LB, Carnegie Mellon [PA]), Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss), Beau Freyler (DB, Iowa State), Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon), Ashton Gillotte (DL, Louisville), Brody Grebe (DE, Montana State), Mark Gronowski (QB, South Dakota State), Terrance Hollon (LB, Howard), Jack Kiser (LB, Notre Dame), Luke Lehnen (QB, North Central [IL]), Brayden Long (QB, Slippery Rock [PA]), Jake Majors (C, Texas), Seth McLaughlin (C, Ohio State), Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama) and Jackson Woodard (LB, UNLV)

Watch the video above to hear Milroe’s full remarks!

66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on social media!

YouTube — @NFFonDemand

Instagram — @NFFNetwork

X — @NFFNetwork

Jimmy Wilkerson, who won a BCS national championship with Oklahoma in 2000 before spending nine seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, has passed away. He was 43.

Jim Tunney, nicknamed the “Dean of NFL Referees” during his 31 years officiating on the gridiron from 1960-1990, has passed away. Tunney officiated 29 postseason games, including four Super Bowls. He was 95.

Bobby Morrison, who spent time as an assistant coach at Bowling Green, William & Mary, VMI, North Carolina State, LSU, Navy and Michigan from 1967-2002, has passed away. He was 79.

Ed Khayat, who was elected to the All-Time Tulane Green Wave football team in 1979 and the Tulane Green Wave football All-Century Team in 1993 and later went on to a 25-year coaching career in the NFL, has passed away. He was 89.

Recognition for the outstanding group of 2024 NFF Scholar-Athletes was far and wide this year. Here are some other honors the group earned:

• Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech) — Second Team All-Big 12

• Robert Coury (LB, Carnegie Mellon [PA]) — Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist, AFCA Division III Second Team All-American

• Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss) — Manning Award finalist, Conerly Trophy winner

• Beau Freyler (DB, Iowa State) — Honorable Mention All-Big 12

• Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon) — Maxwell Award finalist, Davey O’Brien Award finalist, Second Team Walter Camp All-American, AFCA Second Team All-American, Third Team AP All-American

• Ashton Gillotte (DL, Louisville) — Second Team All-ACC

• Brody Grebe (DE, Montana State) — Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year

• Mark Gronowski (QB, South Dakota State) — Walter Payton Award finalist, Second Team All-MVC

• Terrance Hollon (LB, Howard) — Second Team All-MEAC

• Jack Kiser (LB, Notre Dame) — AFCA Allstate Good Works Team

• Luke Lehnen (QB, North Central [IL]) — CCIW Art Keller Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year, Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist, Region 5 Offensive Player of the Year

• Brayden Long (QB, Slippery Rock [PA]) — Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, Second Team All-PSAC

• Jake Majors (C, Texas) — Joe Moore Award finalist

• Seth McLaughlin (C, Ohio State) — Rimington Trophy winner, First Team Walter Camp All-American, First Team AFCA All-American, Second Team AP All-American

• Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama) — Pop Warner Award winner

• Jackson Woodard (LB, UNLV) — Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year

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