Razorbacks added to Hall of Fame ballot

FAYETTEVILLE – Former Razorbacks Brandon Burlsworth and Leotis Harris have been added to the ballot for consideration for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame it was announced by The National Football Foundation (NFF) on Monday.Both All-America offensive guards at the University of Arkansas, Burlsworth and Harris were two of the 17 additions to the player ballot based on the recommendation of one of eight district screening committees. The player ballot now includes 79 former student-athletes. Arkansas was one of only three schools to boast of two student-athlete additions to this year’s ballot. Alabama and Michigan State also had two former players added to the ballot."We are proud that Brandon Burlsworth and Leotis Harris have been named to the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame," Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. "Brandon and Leotis had a tremendous impact on the University of Arkansas and the Razorback program on and off the field. As Razorback legends they established legacies that are still serving to inspire Razorback student-athletes today. We wish them the very best in their continued candidacy for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame."Last December, linebacker Ronnie Caveness became the 17th former Razorback player or coach to earn induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Other previous College Football Hall of Fame inductees include Frank Broyles, Lance Alworth, Loyd Phillips, Wayne Harris and Lou Holtz.One of the most beloved Razorbacks of all time, Brandon Burlsworth came to Arkansas as a walk-on and completed his career as a first-team All-American. He was named a Football News first-team All-American offensive guard and an AP second-team selection following the 1998 season. The first Razorback football player to earn his master’s degree before exhausting his eligibility, he is one of two Razorbacks to have their number retired, joining Clyde Scott. Following his standout collegiate career, he was drafted in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts. Weeks before reporting to training camp, he was tragically killed in an automobile accident near his home in Harrison, Ark. A permanent memorial in his honor has been established in the Razorbacks’ football locker room. His legacy continues to be celebrated through the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, an organization dedicated to assisting children. Later this month, the inaugural Brandon Burlsworth Trophy will be awarded to the nation’s outstanding walk-on football player.A mainstay in the football trenches for the Razorbacks from 1974-77, Harris literally paved the way for future Razorbacks and one of the most prolific offensive eras in school history. The standout offensive guard was the first African-American Razorback football player to earn All-America honors and was a key component to some of the most dominating offensive fronts in school history. He earned All-America and All-Southwest Conference honors as a senior in 1977 after helping the Hogs to an 11-1 record. Arkansas boasted a 412.9 yards of total offense in 1977, including 273.7 yards-per-game on the ground. In his sophomore season, he helped the Razorbacks average a school record 320.3 yards rushing and clinch a share of the SWC championship. He was named to the Razorback All-Century Team selected in 1994 as part of the UA football centennial celebration. He is also a member of the 1970s All-Decade Team. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1977 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman for the Packers (1978-83).The College Football Hall of Fame ballot will be mailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class. Chaired by Gene Corrigan, a former ACC Commissioner and NCAA president, the 13-member NFF Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletics directors, conference commissioners, Hall of Famers and members of the media. The FBS Hall of Fame Class will be announced live in New York City during a noon press conference in May and inducted at The National Football Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner on December 6, 2011 at the landmark Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.Of the 4.79 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on November 6, 1869, only 882 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. From the coaching ranks, 190 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.