Thirteen years after delivering one of the greatest individual game performances in college football history, Vince Young is now a Hall of Famer.
The Texas quarterback great headlines a star-studded 2019 College Football Hall of Fame class that also features former Notre Dame returner and receiver Raghib “Rocket” Ismail and Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis, who both will participate in the coin toss in Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship between Alabama and Clemson (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Other members of the class, which was announced Monday, include: Florida State defensive back Terrell Buckley (1989-91), Oklahoma defensive back Rickey Dixon (1984-87), John Carroll linebacker London Fletcher (1995-97), Texas A&M defensive lineman Jacob Green (1977-79), NC State wide receiver Torry Holt (1995-98), Arkansas running back Darren McFadden (2005-07), Arizona State quarterback Jake Plummer (1993-96), USC defensive back Troy Polamalu (1999-02), Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Thomas (2003-06) and Michigan State running back Lorenzo White (1984-87).
Coaches Dennis Erickson (Idaho, Wyoming, Washington State, Miami, Oregon State, Arizona State) and Joe Taylor (Howard, Virginia Union, Hampton, Florida A&M) were also named to the class.
All honorees will officially be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 10 in New York City.
“We are extremely proud to announce the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” National Football Foundation chairman Archie Manning, also a College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss, said in a statement. “Each of these men has established himself among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments. The class will be part of a momentous year as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of college football this season.”
Young’s 2005 Rose Bowl was certainly a momentous moment in college football history. Squaring off against defending national champion USC, he completed 30 of 40 passes for 267 yards and rushed for another 200 yards.
The play, however, that defined the game — and Young — was the final one of his college career. On fourth down with 19 seconds remaining, Young escaped the pocket and dashed eight yards into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, lifting the Longhorns to their first national title in 35 years.
Two other players from the 2019 class, Ismail and Dixon, were key parts of national championship teams, as well, while Erickson and Taylor coached a combined six national championship teams.
Including Young, 10 of the 13 players in the class became first-round NFL draft picks, while seven won national awards.
Ismail becomes the 47th Notre Dame player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, the most from any program. Fletcher, meanwhile, gives John Carroll its first-ever inductee.
The College Football Hall of Fame will also induct the Goodyear Blimp as an honorary member this year. The blimp will be the first non-player or coach to enter the hall.