USC's Dennis Thurman named to College Football 2025 Hall of Fame class

Former USC safety Dennis Thurman is officially the newest Trojan headed into the College Football Hall of fame as the 2025 class was announced Wednesday.

Thurman is the 36th former USC player and 47th inductee with USC ties into the College Football Hall of Fame.

He was a two-time first-team All-Conference selection during his time with the Trojans, and the team’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 1977. He was a consensus All-American in 1976 and a unanimous All-American in 1977. Thurman led the Pac-8 Conference with eight interceptions in 1976 and is tied at No. 6 in USC history in intercepted passes. He finished his USC career with four bowl victories and a national championship as well as 169 tackles, 13 interceptions, 11 pass deflections and four fumble recoveries.

He began his USC career as a wide receiver before moving to free safety as a junior.

Thurman was selected in the 11th round of the 1978 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He played eight seasons with the Cowboys and finished his professional career with one year for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Shortly afterward, he began his coaching career with the Phoenix Cardinals in 1988. Since then, he coached at USC, then in the NFL for the Ravens, Jets and Bills. He returned to the college ranks as the Jackson State defensive coordinator in 2020 before going to Colorado in 2023 and is now the defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at the University of Hawaii.

The complete 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)