The College Football Hall of Fame announced nominees for the Class of 2019 on Monday, with numerous Washington Redskins connections including current offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh and long-time linebacker London Fletcher.
Prior to his time both playing and coaching in the NFL, Cavanaugh was a quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh from 1974-77.
Matt Cavanaugh-Pittsburgh
As the starting quarterback during the 1976 season, Cavanaugh led the Panthers to the National Championship with a 27-3 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
After earning MVP of that game, the Youngstown, Ohio, native guided Pitt to the 1977 Gator Bowl and earned MVP honors after throwing four touchdown passes in the Panthers' win over Clemson. Throwing for 1,844 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior, Cavanaugh earned All-America honors and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft.
Passing for 4,332 passing yards and 28 career touchdowns, Cavanaugh went into coaching after winning two Super Bowl titles as a player. Cavanaugh, is entering his second season as the team's offensive coordinator.
London Fletcher-John Carroll
You likely know the story by now: from Division III to college free agent to an Ironman streak that included more than 250 straight appearances in the regular season.
But before he was ending an illustrious career with four Pro Bowl appearances for the Redskins, Fletcher played at John Carroll.
During his senior season, Fletcher recorded a school-record 202 tackles and was named the Division III National Linebacker of the Year.
Antwaan Randle El-Indiana
Playing his nine-year NFL career as a wide receiver, Randle El could make it into the College Football Hall of Fame after his collegiate career as a quarterback. After setting the Indiana Hoosier school record for most rushing yards in a single season by a quarterback with 873, Randle El earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 1998.
Randle El became the first player in Division I history to pass for 40 career touchdowns and score 40 career rushing touchdowns, being named the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2001 as well. Becoming the first player in Division I history to earn 2,500 total yards in four consecutive college seasons, Randle El finished sixth in the Heisman race his senior season despite Indiana having a 5-6 record.
After winning a Super Bowl title with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005, Randle El signed with the Redskins. Starting 13 games and coming down with 51 receptions for 728 yards as a wide receiver, Randle El's contributions helped the Redskins earn a playoff appearance in 2007. Randle El finished his time with the Redskins with 2,202 receiving yards in four seasons.
Marco Coleman-Georgia Tech
Coleman could enter College Football Hall of Fame after putting himself in the record books at Georgia Tech. Despite just playing three years, Coleman ranks in the top five for career sacks and single season sacks.
After setting the school record for most sacks in a game in 1990 with five against Maryland, Coleman contributions on defense helped Georgia Tech earn a share of the National Championship later that year. Earning All-ACC honors, Coleman capped off his college career by helping the Yellow Jackets to an Aloha Bowl win in 1991.
Signing with the Redskins in 1999, Coleman helped Washington to the NFC East title with 6.5 sacks that year. His 12 sacks in 2000 earned him an appearance in the Pro Bowl before coming up with 65.5 career sacks in the NFL.
Troy Vincent-Wisconsin
Vincent became a crucial part of Wisconsin's special teams unit during his time with the Badgers. Before his College Football Hall of Fame nomination, Vincent compiled 773 yards on punt return, having an 11.4 yards per return average with three touchdowns.
After earning first team All-American in 1991, Vincent was selected with the seventh-overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Being selected for five Pro Bowl appearances in 15 NFL seasons, Vincent signed with the Redskins for the final season of his career.
Combining for 21 tackles in eight games with the Redskins, Vincent became a key member of Washington's "Hand of God" game victory over the Dallas Cowboys in 2006 when he recorded six tackles and had a crucial blocked field goal. Vincent finished his professional career with 749 tackles and 47 interceptions.
Ken Huff-North Carolina
Before being a part of Washington's offensive line for three seasons, Huff had a stand out college career at North Carolina. Huff was a first-team All-ACC and consensus All-American honors in 1974.
After helping North Carolina produce two 1,000-yard running backs as team captain in 1974, Huff earned the Jacobs Trophy as the ACC's best blocker. Helping the Tar Heels to appearances in the Sun Bowl and Hula Bowl, North Carolina put Huff's no. 68 on the honored jersey list.
After being selected as the No. 3-overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, the Redskins acquired Huff from the Baltimore Colts in 1983 and played three seasons in Washington. Huff helped the Redskins to an NFC Championship in 1983, finishing his professional career participating in 145 NFL games.
Michael Westbrook-Colorado
Westbrook became known to college football after being apart of "The Miracle at Michigan" in 1994, where he caught a 64-yard pass in the end zone to beat Michigan 27-26 in Ann Arbor. Westbrook finished off his senior season at Colorado by helping the Buffaloes claim the Fiesta Bowl.
Compiling 2,548 receiving yards and coming down with 19 touchdowns, Westbrook earned the Paul Warfield Trophy, given to the nation's top wide receiver, in 1994. Selected by the Redskins with the fourth-overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, Westbrook spent his first seven seasons in Washington, amassing more than 4,000 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
