College Football 2018 Hall of Fame candidate list features several former SEC players
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The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame announced the 2018 Hall of Fame candidates Thursday. The list features seven players that played in the SEC as well as three players who went to SEC schools but did not compete in the league during their playing careers.
The announcement of which candidates make the 2018 Hall of Fame class will be made Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. The event will be televised live on television leading up to the CFP National Championship Game.
Candidates that played in the SEC:
Gregg Carr, Auburn-Linebacker-1984 consensus First Team All-American and NFF National Scholar-Athlete…Three-time First Team All-SEC selection and 1984 SEC Lineman of the Year…Twice led Auburn in tackles, helping the Tigers to the 1983 SEC title and three consecutive bowl wins.
Tim Couch, Kentucky-Quarterback-1998 consensus First Team All-American who finished fourth in Heisman voting in 1998 and ninth in 1997…1998 SEC Player of the Year who led Cats to first win over Alabama in 75 years…Set seven NCAA, 14 SEC and 26 school records.
Kevin Faulk, Louisiana State-Running Back-1996 First Team All-American who finished career ranked fourth in NCAA history in all-purpose yards (6,833)…Three-time First Team All-SEC selection and 1995 SEC Freshman of the Year…Set 11 school records during career and became first LSU back to average 100 yards per game during entire career.
E.J. Junior, Alabama-Defensive End-1980 unanimous First Team All-American and member of two national championship teams (1978, 1979)…Three-time First Team All-SEC selection and 1980 SEC Lineman of the Year, who led Tide to two conference titles…Member of fabled goal-line stand defense vs. Penn State in 1979 Sugar Bowl.
Buddy McClinton, Auburn-Defensive Back-Three-time All-American who earned consensus First Team honors in 1969… Auburn’s all-time leader in interceptions (18) and holds record for interceptions in a season (9 in 1969)… Set SEC career interception record (18).
Matt Stinchcomb, Georgia-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-America selection (consensus-’98)…Two-time First Team All-SEC and 1998 recipient of Jacobs Blocking Trophy…1998 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy recipient and NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Patrick Willis, Mississippi-Linebacker-2006 consensus First Team All-American and recipient of the 2006 Butkus Award, who led the nation in solo tackles (90) as a junior…2006 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and two-time First Team All-SEC selection, twice leading the league in tackles…Finished career ranked sixth all-time at Ole Miss with 355 career tackles.
Candidates who did not play in the SEC but their schools have since joined the league:
Jacob Green, Texas A&M-Defensive Lineman-1979 First Team All-American and two-time All-SWC selection…Set A&M records for career sacks (37) and single-season sacks (20 in 1979)…Led Aggies to berths in the 1977 Bluebonnet and 1978 Hall of Fame bowls.
Dan Hampton, Arkansas-Defensive Tackle-1978 First Team All-American and two-time All-SWC selection…Named 1978 Houston Post Outstanding Player of the Year in the SWC, recording 18 TFL during his senior campaign…Helped Hogs beat No. 19 Georgia in 1976 Cotton Bowl and No. 2 Oklahoma in 1978 Orange Bowl.
Cliff Powell, Arkansas-Linebacker-1969 First Team All-American who led Hogs to consecutive Sugar Bowls in 1969 and 1970…Two-time First Team All-Southwest Conference selection, helping Arkansas to co-share of league title in 1968…Twice led team in tackles and set Razorback records for career tackles (367) and single-season tackles (134).
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
