Josh Heupel calls being on Hall of Fame ballot a 'great honor'

Nowadays, when fans hear the name Josh Heupel, they think of the offensive mastermind at the helm of the Tennessee Volunteers. However, not too long ago, that offensive mastermind was behind center instead of a headset.

On June 5, the College Football Hall of Fame announced the 2024 ballot. The list was loaded with all-time greats, including Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Vick, Marshawn Lloyd, Terrell Suggs and… Heupel.

While it’s hard to believe now, Heupel is just as deserving as any of these living legends. The South Dakota native started for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 1999 and 2000 seasons. Heupel tallied over 7,000 passing yards and 50 passing touchdowns in his two years behind the steering wheel.

Heupel’s final season with the Sooners was particularly special. Not only was he the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2000, but he led Oklahoma to a victory over Florida State in the 2001 BCS National Championship Game Orange Bowl and a Big 12 Conference championship.

Heupel is simply grateful to be on the ballot.

“It’s a great honor to be looked at in that way to be on the ballot to be potentially a part of the Hall of Fame. A year ago, got an opportunity to recognize one of our teammates, Roy Williams; such a special player and had such a huge impact on the game and what we did there at Oklahoma. Those things only happen, though, because of the players that I got an opportunity to be in the locker room with every single day.

“Very grateful to all of those guys, everybody on the offensive side of the ball, the offensive lineman. It was a special team, and it’s certainly made a huge impact in my life, part of why I’m up here today, to be honest. And so forever indebted to those guys and very appreciative but humbled by that recognition as well,” the 45-year-old head coach said at SEC Media Days.

Despite Heupel’s standout collegiate career, he failed to find success on a professional level. The Miami Dolphins drafted Heupel with the No. 177 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.

Unfortunately, Heupel suffered shoulder tendinitis in his throwing arm and was cut from the team before the season began. While Heupel never won any Super Bowls, he has no shortage of accolades. Every once in a while, he has to remind his players of just that.

“They don’t know enough about my playing career. Day 1 in training camp, make sure we put a couple of highlights up there,” Heupel said with a laugh. “None of them are of me running around, either, by the way.”

Heupel will look to add to his long list of accomplishments on the gridiron on Sept. 2 when the Volunteers kick off the 2023 season against the Virginia Cavaliers.