Three Former Nebraska Cornhuskers Make College Football HoF Finalist List

The College Football Hall of Fame is getting ready to announce the class of 2012. The Nebraska Cornhuskers has three former players who have made the list: Trev Alberts, Tommie Frazier, and Eric Crouch.

Will any of these former Cornhuskers make the list of players selected to the 2012 class?

These former Cornhuskers had terrific careers at Nebraska, but the list of players on the ballot is strong. There are 76 players and eight coaches on the ballot.

The candidates include: Teddy Bruschi (Arizona), Brian Bosworth (Oklahoma), Eric Dickerson (SMU), Kirk Gibson (Michigan State), Raghib Ismial (Notre Dame), Art Monk (Syracuse), Orlando Pace (Ohio State), Sterling Sharpe (South Carolina), Vinny Testaverde (Miami, Fl.), and Derrick Thomas (Alabama).

The 2012 College Football HoF Class will be announced on May 15.

If Alberts, Frazier, or Crouch were to be elected, they would add to the list of 22 former Nebraska players or coaches already inducted into the College Football HoF.

In order to be considered for the College Football HoF, the player must have been an All-American and excelled at his position during his career. Each of the former Cornhuskers on the ballot meets the requirements.

Here is why I think each former Cornhusker should, or should not be included into the College Football HoF in 2012.

Trev Alberts

Trev Alberts should be inducted into the College Football HoF this year.

Alberts had an outstanding career at Nebraska and is arguably one of the best Nebraska linebackers in school history.  

Alberts' honors include: Unanimous First Team All-America (1993), BIG-8 Defensive Player of the Year (1993), Academic All-America (1993), Butkus Award winner (1993), Jack Lambert Award winner (1993), and two-time First Team All-Conference pick (1992 and 1993).

Alberts 1993 season could go down as one of the best seasons for a Nebraska linebacker. Alberts had 15 sacks, 21 tackles for a loss and 38 quarterback hurries during the season. Nebraska’s Blackshirts defense was outstanding in 1993, and Alberts was the leader of the unit. His stats may have been better if he did not injure his elbow in the last game of the regular season against Oklahoma. Alberts played through the injury in the National Championship game against Florida State.

Alberts is not as well known as some of the other players on the ballot, because he did not go on to have a great career in the NFL. Alberts was selected as the No. 5 overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Alberts’ pro career was plagued by injuries and he was forced to retire after the 1996 season.

Alberts was one of the great Nebraska linebackers, and his time to be inducted into the College Football HoF is now.

Tommie Frazier

First off, let me ask this question: How is Tommie Frazier not in the College Football HoF?

Nebraska football is one of the best programs in the country. The prestige of the program can rival any school other than Michigan and Notre Dame. Nebraska has the fourth most wins in the college football history, and Frazier is arguably the best quarterback to ever play at the school.

Frazier’s career at Nebraska may never be matched by another quarterback in college football. Frazier’s record as a starting quarterback was 33-3. He led the Cornhuskers to Conference Championships in each of his four seasons at Nebraska and won two National Championships.

Frazier’s honors include: Big Eight freshman of the year (1992), back-to-back Orange Bowl MVP (1994 and 1995), Unanimous selection to First Team All-America (1995), Johnny Unitas award winner (1995), Heisman trophy runner-up (1995), Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year (1995), and Fiesta Bowl MVP (1996).

Frazier was also selected as back-up quarterback for Sports Illustrated NCAA All-Century Team (starter was Sammy Baugh).

How Frazier was able to have such an outstanding career at Nebraska and never win the Heisman trophy is still a mystery.

Frazier should have been a first ballot College Football HoF selection. His induction is overdue and he must be selected this year.

Eric Crouch

While Trev Alberts and Tommie Frazier’s induction into the College Football HoF is overdue, Eric Crouch still does not belong in the HoF.

Crouch had a great season for the Cornhuskers in 2001. As much as I think Frazier was robbed of the Heisman trophy, I think Crouch stole the Heisman trophy in 2001.

If the voting would have taken place after the bowl games, Crouch would have never won the trophy. Nebraska was embarrassed by Miami in the Rose Bowl 37-14. Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey or Florida’s quarterback Rex Grossman would have taken home the Heisman in 2001.

Crouch career honors include: Fiesta Bowl MVP (2000), Heisman trophy winner (2001), Walter Camp award winner (2001), and Davey O’Brien award winner (2001), and Big Twelve Offensive Player of the Year (2001).

Like Alberts and Frazier, Crouch did not have any success with his pro career. Crouch was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the third round. He did not pan out at quarterback and was moved to the safety position.

Crouch was a good college football player, but there are players on the ballot who are more deserving of a place in the College Football HoF.

Hopefully Nebraska will add to their 22 members in the College Football Hall of Fame. The Cornhuskers have a strong history and the College Football HoF would not be complete without more members from Nebraska.

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