Former Cardinals among 2019 College Football Hall of Fame finalists

The chances of making any sport at the collegiate level is slim. The chances of making all “all-pro” or “all-star” team at that level is even slimmer. What’s next to statistically impossible is making that sports Hall of Fame is statistically impossible.

In fact, of the 5.26 million players to see a college football field, less than 1% of those will make the College Football Hall of Fame. That doesn’t even include the numerous coaches who have walked the sidelines.

This year there are 214 names on the ballot. Here are the requirements to be considered for the Hall of Fame:

• First and foremost, a player must have received First-Team All-America recognition by a selector organization that is recognized by the NCAA and utilized to comprise their consensus All-America teams.

• A player becomes eligible for consideration by the Foundation’s Honors Courts 10 full seasons after his final year of intercollegiate football played.

• While each nominee’s football achievements in college are of prime consideration, his post-football record as a citizen is also weighed. He must have proven himself worthy as a citizen, carrying the ideals of football forward into his relations with his community and his fellow man, with love of his country. Consideration may also be given for academic honors and whether the candidate earned a college degree.

• Players must have played their last year of intercollegiate football within the last 50 years.* For example, to be eligible for the 2019 ballot, the player must have played his last year in 1969 or thereafter. In addition, players who are playing professionally and coaches who are coaching on the professional level are not eligible until after they retire.

• A coach becomes eligible three full seasons after retirement or immediately following retirement provided he is at least 70 years of age. Active coaches become eligible at 75 years of age. He must have been a head coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage.

Of those 214 names on the ballot, there are four former Cardinals are among them.

One of the more notable names is Carson Palmer. The former USC Quarterback was a great college player, leading the Trojans to their first 11-win season since 1979 back in 2002. Palmer still remains second in almost every statistical category in Trojans history. Palmer went on to be the first overall pick by the Bengals and have a borderline Hall of Fame career as a pro.

Jake Plummer is another notable name. Plummer did not have the greatest NFL career, but his career at ASU is what lead him to be a great collegiate player. He threw for more than 2000 yards from 1994-1996. In 1996, Plummer was name an All-American and lead the Sun Devils to their first Rose Bowl since the 1986 season.

The next name is a bit of a throw back. E.J. Junior was with the Cardinals for eight years. Prior to that time, he was an All-American in 1980, a three-time First Team All-SEC, an was a member of two National Championship teams. While with the Cardinals, Junior was a first-team All-Pro in 1984.

And finally is Simeon Rice. Rice was the third overall pick for the Cardinals in 1996. Rice was named to two All-American seasons during his college career, as well as making three All-Big 10 lists. His 44.5 career sacks is a conference record. He also holds school records for tackles for a loss (69), and sacks in a season (16). Rice was so good in fact that his Defensive Coordinator told Rice’s parents after only three practices that he was destined for greatness.

Matt Leinart was among the inductees in 2017, so the Cardinals are already represented.

Is there a player you’re rooting to get inducted?