Former Cougar Ryan Leaf added to college HoF ballot
Former Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf has been named to the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.
COURTESY PHOTO/WSU
IRVING, TEXAS - Former Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf was among 80 ex-players from the Football Bowl Subdivision Selected for the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame induction ballot, the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame announced on Monday.
Leaf quarterbacked the Cougars from 1995-97, including leading the team to its first 10-win season in nearly 70 years in 1997. His 1997 season saw a record-breaking season for the junior quarterback, setting Pac-10 records in total offense, passing touchdowns and passing yards. He took home the Sammy Baugh Passer of the Year trophy, was named a Sporting News First Team All-American and finished third in the race for the Heisman Trophy.
The College Football Hall of Fame has a vast criteria list for eligibility, and Leaf has met the requirements; He was voted as a first team All-American in 1997, ten years have passed since his final collegiate season and he is within 50 years of his last season.
After his 1997 season, Leaf declared to go pro and was drafted No. 2 overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1998 NFL Draft. His NFL career lasted from 1998-2002 and was a member of the Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks during his time as an NFL player.
An announcement of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame class will come sometime in early 2023. Those inducted will be represented at the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in December 2023, and will also be represented in the Chick-Fil-A Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
This is Leaf’s first time appearing on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot. If he is not selected this year he will have additional chances over the coming years.
The 2023 ballot includes 96 players and 33 coaches from the various ranks of NCAA football.
The former WSU and NFL quarterback was inducted into the Washington State Athletic Hall of Fame back in 2019. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in Cougar history, according to the press release from WSU.