Ole Miss great Terrence Metcalf is a College Football Hall of Famer

All-time Ole Miss football great Terrence Metcalf on Wednesday became just the 10th Rebel ever elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. 

He’s the 13th inductee with Ole Miss ties. 

Metcalf was an All-American offensive lineman for the Rebels from 1997-2001. He joins in the Hall of Fame Bruiser Kinard (1951, tackle), Charlie Conerly (1965, halfback), Barney Poole (1974, end), John Vaught (1979, coach), Doug Kenna (1984, quarterback), Thad “Pie” Vann (1987, coach), Archie Manning (1989, quarterback), Parker Hall (1991, halfback), Jake Gibbs (1995, quarterback), Charlie Flowers (1997, fullback), Wesley Walls (2014, tight end) and Patrick Willis (2019, linebacker). 

Last year, Willis became just the third Ole Miss Rebel named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Quarterback Eli Manning is a finalist for the 2025 class, in his first year on the ballot.

“We are thrilled to announce the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” NFF Chairman Archie Manning said. He’s arguably the greatest quarterback in Ole Miss history and was inducted in 1989.

“Each of these legends ranks among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to adding their incredible accomplishments to those permanently enshrined in the Hall of Fame.”

Newest member of the CFB Hall of Fame@Metcalf79 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/AZXSKIT5Gw

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 15, 2025

Metcalf was a consensus first-team All-American in 2001. 

He was a a Sporting News second-teamer in 1999, 

Metcalf helped Ole Miss to three bowl appearances (1997 Motor City, 1999 Independence and 2000 Music City Bowl) and two final national rankings (No. 22 in 1997 and No. 22 in 1999). 

Metcalf protected Eli Manning in the latter’s first two Ole Miss seasons. Manning threw for 10,119 yards and set multiple school records. Some were broken this season by Jaxson Dart. 

Metcalf cleared the way for Deuce McAllister, who still stands as the all-time Ole Miss leader in career rushing (3,060) and all-purpose (4,889) yards.

Metcalf was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection. He was the SEC’s Most Valuable Lineman in 2001, according to the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club. Metcalf anchored Ole Miss offensive lines that allowed the fewest sacks in the SEC in both 2000 (7.0) and 2001 (10.0).

The Chicago Bears drafted Metcalf in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played seven seasons for the Bears, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLI in 2006. 

Metcalf has also been inducted into the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (2021). He’s an official SEC Legend. He’s the father of NFL wide receiver DK Metcalf (Seattle Seahawks). He, too, was a former Ole Miss Rebel.

2025 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

PLAYERS

Montee Ball, RB (2009-12) – University of Wisconsin
Gregg Carr, LB (1981-84) – Auburn University
Blake Elliott, WR (2000-03) – Saint John’s University (MN)
Greg Eslinger, C (2002-05) – University of Minnesota
Terry Hanratty, QB (1966-68) – University of Notre Dame
Graham Harrell, QB (2005-08) – Texas Tech University
John Henderson, DT (1999-2001) – University of Tennessee
Michael Huff, DB (2002-05) – University of Texas
Jim Kleinsasser, TE (1995-98) – University of North Dakota
Alex Mack, OL (2005-08) – University of California
Terrence Metcalf, OL (1997, 1999-2001) – University of Mississippi
Haloti Ngata, DT (2002, 2004-05) – University of Oregon
Steve Slaton, RB (2005-07) – West Virginia University
Darrin Smith, LB (1989-92) – University of Miami
Michael Strahan, DL (1989-92) – Texas Southern University
Dennis Thurman, DB (1974-77) – University of Southern California
Michael Vick, QB (1999-2000) – Virginia Tech
Ryan Yarborough, WR (1990-93) – University of Wyoming

COACHES

Larry Blakeney – 178-113-1 (61.1%): Troy University (1991-2014)
Larry Korver – 212-77-6 (72.9%): Northwestern College [IA] (1967-94)
Urban Meyer – 187-32-0 (85.4%): Bowling Green State University (2001-02): University of Utah (2003-04); University of Florida (2005-10); Ohio State University (2012-18)
Nick Saban – 292-71-1 (80.4%): University of Toledo (1990); Michigan State University (1995-99); LSU (2000-04); University of Alabama (2007-23)