Tim Couch is Officially in the College Football Hall of Fame

It’s officially official. On Tuesday night in Las Vegas, Tim Couch became the eighth Kentucky Wildcat to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.

The record-breaking high school quarterback from Leslie County revolutionized college football while slinging the rock around the SEC in Hal Mumme’s Air Raid offense. Couch completed 795 passes in 1,184 attempts (67.1 percent) for 8,435 yards and 74 touchdowns. In 1998 he was SEC Player of the Year, a First Team All-American, and a Heisman Trophy finalist. He broke seven NCAA records, 14 SEC records, and 26 school records, many of which still stand today.

Phil Fulmer aggressively pursued the National High School Player of the Year. He almost went to Tennessee, then had a late change of heart. It’s a decision he’s glad he made.

“It means everything to me. I’m from Kentucky, born and raised in that state, stayed at home, and played there. To be able to do what I was able to do in my college career and do it at my home state school means so much to me. To represent the University of Kentucky is an honor for me,” Couch told the National Football Foundation prior to his induction.

“We’ve had several other great players from our university be inducted into this Hall of Fame and I’m just proud and honored to be the next one in line.”

Couch spent many years on the list of finalists. He finally received the good news over the summer. The process featured several salutes. He was honored during the Georgia game and a statue was built at Leslie County High School, culminating with Tuesday night’s ceremony.

“It’s been a long wait. You find out. Then you gotta wait a whole football season to get here with the rest of the guys and see everybody. I’ve been really looking forward to it. It’s awesome to be here with these guys, some I competed against and some I grew up watching play. To be in this Hall of Fame Class with them is such a humbling experience and such an honor.”

Congratulations to @UKFootball great Tim Couch on his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. #BBN pic.twitter.com/u49nOkc2Xq

— Lee K. Howard ☀️ (@HowardWKYT) December 11, 2024

2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class

PLAYERS:

• Justin Blackmon – WR, Oklahoma State (2009-11)
• Paul Cameron – TB, UCLA (1951-53)
• Tim Couch – QB, Kentucky (1996-98)
• Warrick Dunn – RB, Florida State (1993-96)
• Armanti Edwards – QB, Appalachian State (2006-09)
• Deon Figures – CB, Colorado (1988, 1990-92)
• Larry Fitzgerald – WR, Pittsburgh (2002-03)
• Toby Gerhart – RB, Stanford (2006-09)
• Dan Hampton – DT, Arkansas (1975-78)
• Steve Hutchinson – OG, Michigan (1997-2000)
• Antonio Langham – CB, Alabama (1990-93)
• Randy Moss – WR, Marshall (1996-97)
• Julius Peppers – DE, North Carolina (1999-2001)
• Paul Posluszny – LB, Penn State (2003-06)
• Dewey Selmon – NG, Oklahoma (1972-75)
• Alex Smith – QB, Utah (2002-04)
• Kevin Smith – CB, Texas A&M (1988-91)
• Chris Ward – OT, Ohio State (1974-77)
• Danny Woodhead – RB, Chadron State [NE] (2004-07) 

COACHES:

• Mark Dantonio – 132-74-0 (64.1%): Cincinnati (2004-06), Michigan State (2007-19)
• Danny Hale – 213-69-1 (75.4%): West Chester [PA] (1984-88), Bloomsburg [PA] (1993-2012) 
• Frank Solich – 173-101-0: Nebraska (1998-2003), Ohio (2005-2020)