The College Football Hall of Fame class of 2025 was just announced, and a couple of old Falcons friends were among those inducted — Alex Mack and Michael Vick.
Mack was one of the greatest free agent signings in Atlanta history, anchoring the offensive line from 2016 to 2020, earning All-Pro honors twice and Pro Bowl honors three times.
Before that, he spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career in Cleveland after the Browns drafted him in the first round of the 2009 draft out of Cal. He won the Draddy Trophy, which is now the William V. Campbell Trophy, in his final season with the Golden Bears. It’s the honor awarded to the player with the best combined academic success, football performance, and leadership — all of which were obvious in his NFL career.
Mike Vick, on the other hand, had a much more prestigious college career, which can be attributed to the position. He transcended the sport for quarterbacks. As a freshman, Vick led Virginia Tech to a perfect 11-0 regular season in 1999 that ended with a National Championship loss to Florida State. Vick followed that season up with an 11-1 season before being the Falcons’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft.
Mike Vick still owns Virginia Tech records and went on to play in Atlanta until off-the-field issues took him away from the sport in 2006, but his impact was still felt. Vick became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a single season, which he did in 2006 with 1,039.
Both are exemplary Falcons and deserve these college football honors. Here is the full list of inductees for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Players:
- Montee Ball, RB (2009-2012) – University of Wisconsin
- Gregg Carr, LB (1981-84) – Auburn University
- Blake Elliott, WR (2000-03) – Saint John’s University (MN)
- Greg Eslinger, C (2002-05) – University of Minnesota
- Terry Hanratty, QB (1966-68) – University of Notre Dame
- Graham Harrell, QB (2005-08) – Texas Tech University
- John Henderson, DT (1999-2001) – University of Tennessee
- Michael Huff, DB (2002-05) – University of Texas
- Jim Kleinsasser, TE (1995-98) – University of North Dakota
- Alex Mack, OL (2005-08) – University of California
- Terrence Metcalf, OL (1997, 1999-2001) – University of Mississippi
- Haloti Ngata, DT (2002, 2004-05) – University of Oregon
- Steve Slaton, RB (2005-07) – West Virginia University
- Darrin Smith, LB (1989-1992) – University of Miami
- Michael Strahan, DL (1989-1992) – Texas Southern University
- Dennis Thurman, DB (1974-77) – University of Southern California
- Michael Vick, QB (1999-2000) – Virginia Tech
- Ryan Yarborough, WR (1990-93) – University of Wyoming
Coaches:
- Larry Blakeney – 178-113-1 (61.1%): Troy University (1991-2014)
- Larry Korver – 212-77-6 (72.9%): Northwestern College [IA] (1967-1994)
- Urban Meyer – 187-32-0 (85.4%): Bowling Green State University (2001-02): University of Utah (2003-04); University of Florida (2005-2010); Ohio State University (2012-18)
- Nick Saban – 292-71-1 (80.4%): University of Toledo (1990); Michigan State University (1995-99); LSU (2000-04); University of Alabama (2007-2023)
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Photographer: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
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