WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 2016 College Football Hall of Fame ballot has been released by the National Football Foundation. Former Boilermaker wide receiver Larry Burton is joined on the ballot by All-American wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield and All-American cornerback Rod Woodson. Stubblefield and Woodson are appearing for the first time.
A first team All-America selection by the Football Writers of America and The Sporting News in 1974, Burton was also named the Outstanding College Athlete of America. He led the Boilermakers in receiving in both 1973 and 1974 and was voted team captain, team MVP and first team All-Big Ten in 1974. Burton went on play five seasons in the NFL and finished fourth in the 100-meter dash at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.
Stubblefield, who was a 2004 consensus first team All-American, set a then-NCAA record for career receptions (316) during his four-year career with Purdue. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection who led the conference in receptions for three consecutive seasons from 2002-04. Stubblefield was 2004 Biletnikoff finalist, who set Sun Bowl record with 196 receiving yards in 2001. He is currently the wide receivers coach at the University of Utah.
Woodson was consensus first team All-American selection in 1986 and runner-up for the Jim Thorpe Award. He was a three-time First Team All-Big Ten performer who returned a then-Purdue record three interceptions for touchdowns in career. He started 45 games and left Purdue as career leader in solo tackles (320) and interceptions (11), and remains among the leaders in a number of single season and career statistical categories today. After a stellar 17-year NFL career, he is currently the defensive backs coach for the Oakland Raiders.
NFF members will have until June 20 to cast their votes.
Criteria to be eligible for the College Football 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 years 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 or not 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 2016 ballot, the player must have played his last year in 1966 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 years 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.