HBCU football has always been rich in history as some of the best players in college football history have passed through the halls of an HBCU. The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame have announced the names on the 2025 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, and there are several for HBCU players and coaches. Check out the press release below to see which HBCU football names are on the ballot.
Courtesy of the National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame
IRVING, Texas — The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2025 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 77 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional ranks.
“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,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “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.”
The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. (Individuals can cast a vote this year by clicking here to become a National Football Foundation member.)
The Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers, and members of the media. Click here for the official criteria and the voting procedures, which govern election to the Hall.
“Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the College Football Hall of Fame inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Mississippi. “There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport.”
The announcement of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2025, with specific details to be announced in the future.
The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, 2025, at the Bellagio Hotel & Resort, and they will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2025 season.
2025 HBCU PLAYER CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS
Ashley Ambrose, Mississippi Valley State-Defensive Back-1991 First Team All-American and First Team All-SWAC selection…Named SWAC Defensive Back and Return Specialist of the Year in 1991…Led nation in punt returns during senior campaign.
Vincent Brown, Mississippi Valley State-Linebacker-1987 First Team All-American, leading the NCAA in tackles in 1986 and 1987…Set NCAA All-Divisions record with 570 career tackles…Two-time All-SWAC selection who led MVSU in tackles his last three seasons.
Parnell Dickinson, Mississippi Valley State-Quarterback-1975 First Team All-American and Pittsburgh Courier National Player of the Year…Four-time All-SWAC selection and conference Player of the Year as a senior…He finished his career as SWAC’s all-time leader in total offense (7,442 yards).
William Dillon, Virginia Union-Free Safety-Three-time First Team All-America selection (1980-82)…Tallied 16 interceptions in 1983…1983 Black College Player of the Year…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection and Player of the Year (1981-82).
Carl Hairston, Maryland Eastern Shore-Defensive End-1975 First Team All-American by the Pittsburgh Courier…Two-year captain and three-time First Team All-MEAC performer…Known as “Mr. Defense,” he averaged more than 20 tackles a game during his senior season.
Timmy Newsome, Winston-Salem State (NC)-Running Back-1978 First Team All-American who finished his career as the all-time leading rusher (3,843 yards) in school and conference annals…Three-time All-CIAA selection who twice led the conference in rushing and scoring…Led the Rams to consecutive undefeated regular seasons and CIAA titles in 1977 and 1978.
Michael Strahan, Texas Southern-Defensive Lineman- 1992 First Team All-American and Division I-AA Defensive Player of the Year…1992 Black College Defensive Player of the Year and two-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year…Texas Southern’s all-time leader in career (41.5) and single-season (19 in 1992) sacks.
2025 HBCU COACH CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS
Rod Broadway-North Carolina Central (2003-06), Grambling State (2007-10), North Carolina A&T (2011-17)-Only coach in history to win an HBCU national championship at three different schools, winning five overall…Took over a losing NCCU program in 2003, leading them to back-to-back conference titles and playoff appearances by 2005-06…Led teams to six conference crowns, two Celebration Bowl wins, and retired following a perfect 12-0 season.
Bill Hayes-Winston-Salem State (NC) (1976-87), North Carolina A&T (1988-2002)-All-time winningest coach at both Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T…Led teams to two HBCU national championships, four playoff appearances, and six conference titles…Two-time MEAC Coach of the Year finished career with the most victories (195) among college football head coaches in State of North Carolina history.
Eddie Hurt-Virginia Lynchburg (1925-28), Morgan State (1930-59)-Led Morgan State to six HBCU National Championships and 14 CIAA titles…Posted 11 undefeated seasons, including the 1943 team that did not allow a score from a single opponent…From 1932-39, led the Bears to a 54-game streak without a loss.
Gideon Smith-Hampton (1921-40)-Led Pirates to 1922 Black College National Championship… Recorded four CIAA titles and two unbeaten seasons in career…Longest-tenured coach in Hampton history, boasting the second-most wins all-time at the school.