Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME THREE FROM NOTRE DAME ON BALLOT FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME In Notre Dame's football history, there have been 16 two-time consensus All-Americans, and four of them are not in the College Football Hall of Fame. Two of those four are among 75 members on this year's ballot released June 1: linebacker Bob Crable (1978-81) and offensive lineman Aaron Taylor (1990-93). That duo joined receiver/tailback/return man Raghib "Rocket" Ismail (1988-90) on the 2016 ballot of which about 12 to 15 are annually selected. The announcement of those who were elected will be announced on Jan. 6, 2017. The two other Notre Dame two-time consensus All-Americans not on this year's ballot are current Fight- ing Irish defensive backs coach and 1987-90 cornerback Todd Lyght — who was one of the nominees in 2015 — and 1986-90 linebacker Michael Stonebreaker. Among the criteria to be eligible, a player must have been named first-team All-America by an NCAA recognized source — thereby making someone such as Joe Montana, an Associated Press honorable men- tion choice in 1978, ineligible — not played a college game in at least 10 years and he can no longer be playing in the pros. Wide receiver Thom Gatewood (1969-71) was the most recent of Notre Dame's record 45 inducted play- ers to make the Hall — 30 years after he appeared on the ballot for the first time. To give you an idea how difficult it is to be selected, consider that among the 75 players on the ballot this year are former Heisman Trophy winners Rashaan Salaam (1994) and Eric Crouch (2001), along with other distinguished players such as running backs Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk, in addition to receiver Kirk Gibson, who played 17 years in Major League Baseball. The defensive list includes names such as Dan Hampton, Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Troy Polamalu and Troy Vincent. Here are is a quick snapshot of the achievements of the three Fighting Irish players on the ballot: Raghib "Rocket" Ismail (1988-90) In three seasons, Ismail became the first Notre Dame player to eclipse 1,000 career yards in three dif- ferent categories: rushing, receiving and returns (Theo Riddick later did it in four years). The 1990 Walter Camp Award winner and Heisman runner-up as a junior averaged 7.7 yards per carry during his career, holds the Irish career record for yards per catch (22.0) and had six returns of kickoffs or punts for scores. This is his sixth consecutive year on the ballot. Bob Crable (1978-81) His career tackles mark of 521 (not including two bowls) is considered unbreakable, and there was no one who played with greater ferocity. The lone Notre Dame linebacker ever drafted in the first round, he led the 1980 defense to a school- record 23 consecutive quarters without allowing a TD. This is his seventh time on the ballot. Aaron Taylor (1990-93) After earning consensus All-America notice at guard as a 1992 junior, Taylor lined up at left tackle the next season and was the 1993 Lombardi Award recipient. He also served as a captain during a 17-game winning streak.