From legendary coaches to some of the all-time greatest players, Alabama has reliably contributed to the College Football Hall of Fame year by year. Joe Namath, Bo Jackson, Pat Dye, Gene Stallings, Pat Sullivan, and Bear Bryant are among just a few.
The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot is out and, unsurprisingly, the state is ready to add several more names to the list. Players and coaches from Alabama, Auburn, and Troy are included.
Antonio Langham is the only former member of the Tide on the 2024 ballot. He played from 1990-93, delivering a National Championship trophy in 1992. He still holds the team record for most career interceptions with 19.
Congrats to @AntonioLangham on being named to the 2024 @cfbhall Ballot.#RollTide pic.twitter.com/PcGqgrjhy6
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) June 5, 2023
As a defensive back, Langham earned unanimous All-American honors in 1993 and received the Jim Thorpe Award. He was drafted 9th overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Browns, the Ravens, the 49ers, and the Patriots.
Auburn can tout three players and a former head coach who have all yet to hit their peak: Gregg Carr, Ed King, Takeo Spikes and U.S. Sen. and former Head Coach Tommy Tuberville.
Carr was All-American in 1984. His exceptional performance for the Tigers from 1981-84 earned him three first team All-SEC selections, and he was named SEC Lineman of the Year. He was also a member of Auburn’s 1983 SEC Championship-winning team. In 2008, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, positioning him for a strong spot in the CFB Hall of Fame.
King played for Auburn from 1988-90. His presence on the defensive line gave the Tigers an upper hand in their multiple 10-win seasons. King was a two-time First Team All-American, including a unanimous selection in 1990. He went on to play professionally for the Seahawks, the Saints and the Chiefs.
3️⃣ Auburn legends have been named to the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot!
🏆 Takeo Spikes
🏆 Gregg Carr
🏆 Ed King📰 https://t.co/A6z9ewsULJ pic.twitter.com/EhR4pClESY
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) June 6, 2023
Spikes played for the Tigers from 1995-97, was a First Team All-American in 1997, and was a two-time First Team All-SEC selection. He left a mark on the program, ranking among the top 10 in all-time tackles in Auburn history.
Tuberville is the first former Division I football coach elected to the U.S. Senate.
With a career winning percentage hovering around 62%, Tuberville is already etched into CFB history. He is the No. 4 winningest coach at Auburn and seventh-winningest in Ole Miss history. The 1997 SEC Coach of the Year earned the moniker “The Riverboat Gambler” during his stint at Ole Miss. In 2004, during Auburn’s undefeated season, he was named National Coach of the Year.
When he retired, Tuberville was among one of top 50 winningest football coaches of all time.
The Troy Trojans also have real estate on the ballot.
The iconic Larry Blakeney, whose leadership as head coach from 1991 to 2014 steered the Trojans to an outstanding eight conference titles is in the running. With a coaching career record of 178-113-1, Blakeney holds the highest number of wins for a coach in the Sun Belt Conference’s history.
Congrats to three of the all-time Troy greats, Larry Blakeney, Al Lucas and Freddie Thomas, as they represent Troy on College Football Hall of Fame Ballot.#RiseToBuild | #OneTROY ⚔️🏈 pic.twitter.com/9v01hbn8EJ
— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) June 5, 2023
Al Lucas was an impressive defensive lineman under Blakeney’s guidance from 1996-99. His performance in 1999 earned him the Buck Buchanan Award. As a two-time All-American, Lucas was instrumental in getting the Trojans to three NCAA playoff tournaments, reaching the semifinals in 1996 and the quarterfinals in 1999.
Rounding out the Trojans is Freddie Thomas, whose tenure at Troy State from 1984-87 saw him spearhead the Trojans to the NCAA Division II National Championship. His leadership and prowess on the field were integral to the Trojans’ success during that period.
