Ndamukong Suh’s inclusion on the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot is a testament to his extraordinary collegiate career and lasting impact on the sport. The National Football Foundation (NFF) released the ballot on May 30, 2024, featuring 77 players and 9 coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, with Suh among the nominees .
A Dominant College Career
Suh’s tenure at the University of Nebraska (2005ā2009) was marked by unparalleled dominance on the defensive line. In 2009, he became the first defensive player to be named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, a distinction that highlighted his exceptional performance that season. He also earned unanimous first-team All-American honors and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy .
His accolades that year included the Outland Trophy, the Lombardi Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and the Chuck Bednarik Award. Suh’s statistics were equally impressive: he registered 85 tackles, 12 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups, and three blocked kicks . His performance was instrumental in Nebraska’s defense ranking first nationally in scoring defense and total defense.Ā
NFL Success and Legacy
Following his collegiate success, Suh was selected by the Detroit Lions as the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Over his NFL career, Suh was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a five-time All-Pro. He played for several teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles, winning Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers .
Suh’s No. 93 jersey was retired by Nebraska, and he was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2024, further cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant defensive players in college football history .
Hall of Fame Induction Criteria
The NFF’s criteria for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame include receiving major first-team All-America recognition, a 10-year waiting period after the last year of intercollegiate football played, and a post-football record as a citizen that reflects the ideals of football . Suh’s unanimous first-team All-American status, coupled with his exceptional collegiate performance and subsequent professional success, make him a strong candidate for induction.Ā
Conclusion
Ndamukong Suh’s inclusion on the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot is a well-deserved recognition of his remarkable contributions to college football. His dominance on the field, both at Nebraska and in the NFL, and his embodiment of the sport’s ideals, position him as a deserving candidate for this prestigious honor.Ā
