Patrick Embleton Executive Director of Personnel and Recruiting | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Patrick Embleton Executive Director of Personnel and Recruiting | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame have released the names on the 2025 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Among those nominated are former Fighting Illini players Kevin Hardy and Simeon Rice. This year's ballot includes 77 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, along with 101 players and 34 coaches from divisional ranks.
Currently, eighteen former Illini are enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. The most recent inductees were linebacker Dana Howard in 2018 and defensive tackle Moe Gardner in 2022. They joined notable figures such as Red Grange, inducted in 1951, and Dick Butkus, inducted in 1983.
The announcement for the class of 2025 will occur early next year, with further details to be disclosed later.
Kevin Hardy is noted for winning the Butkus Award in 1995 as a consensus First Team All-American. During his time at Illinois, he recorded impressive stats including 105 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. Hardy was also a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and helped lead Illinois to two bowl games before being selected by Jacksonville as the No. 2 pick in the 1996 NFL draft.
Simeon Rice achieved recognition as a two-time First Team All-American and three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection. He holds records for career sacks (44.5) both at his school and within his conference, as well as career tackles for loss (69) at Illinois. Rice was chosen by Arizona as the No. 3 pick in the same draft year.
Alerts Sign-up