Texas Longhorn legend, 2005 Jim Thorpe Award winner, and Defensive MVP of the 2005 National Championship game Michael Huff (2002-05) has been selected for enshrinement into the College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2025, the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday. Huff was chosen from a ballot that included 77 players and nine coaches from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 34 coaches from the NCAA divisional and NAIA ranks.
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“This is an incredible honor and an unbelievable blessing for my family,” Huff said. “Growing up in Texas, playing for the Longhorns was a dream come true, and now representing my school and program that changed my life is such an honor and privilege. This is a tribute to the great teams I played on, the awesome teammates and coaches I was so fortunate to play with and for, and of course, Mack Brown, who I will forever be indebted to for recruiting me to Texas and helping bring the absolute best out of me. The same can be said for my defensive backs coach, Duane Akina, who molded and developed me so much as a player and person. It’s humbling to be listed among so many legends of Texas Football, I’m grateful for everyone at the National Football Foundation for selecting me and look forward to being a part of the celebration of this year’s class. The coolest part for me is that I’m receiving this honor at the same time that I’m also sharing my passion for the game in working with Coach Sark and the Longhorns. That’s icing on the cake.”
The Irving, Texas native now becomes the 23rd Texas player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Hub Bechtol (1944-46), Earl Campbell (1974-77), Doug English (1972-74), Chris Gilbert (1966-68), Jerry Gray (1981-84), Derrick Johnson (2001-04), Johnnie Johnson (1976-79), Malcolm Kutner (1939-41), Bobby Layne (1944-47), Roosevelt Leaks (1972-74), Bud McFadin (1948-50), Bob McKay (1968-69), Steve McMichael (1976-79), Tommy Nobis (1963-65), James Saxton (1959-61), Harley Sewell (1950-52), Kenneth Sims (1978-81), Jerry Sisemore (1970-72), Bud Sprague (1923-24), Harrison Stafford (1930-32), Ricky Williams (1995-98) and Vince Young (2003-05). Three former Longhorn coaches are also in the Hall: Dana Bible (1937-46), Mack Brown (1998-2013), and Darrell Royal (1957-76).
“What an amazing story and truly deserving selection to the College Football Hall of Fame Michael is,” said Mack Brown, who recruited and coached Huff. “He was a tremendous leader, player and representative of our program who was an invaluable member of our team. He is one of the best to ever wear the burnt orange and white, was gifted in many ways and accomplished so much as a player, but the best part about him is he’s an even better person. He’s always been an incredibly caring person who constantly gives back in the community, has a wonderful family, and is sharing his knowledge and experience as he pours back into the current team for Coach Sarkisian. Sally and I are extremely proud of Michael and looking forward to welcoming him into the College Football Hall of Fame family.”
Huff, who currently serves as Texas Football’s assistant director of player development, was a two-sport athlete for the Longhorns who earned All-Big 12 honors in both football and track and field. Texas’ first-ever Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top defensive back in 2005, he capped off a tremendous season and career that year by earning Defensive MVP honors in the Longhorns’ thrilling BCS Championship game victory over USC, 41-38. Best known for his football IQ, pass defending and playmaking skills, one of Huff’s most memorable plays was the tackle he made on fourth-and-2, late in the National Championship game, that gave Texas the ball for their game-winning drive. He recorded 12 tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery in helping the Horns secure their first national title in 35 years.
“I’m so fired up for Michael on his College Football Hall of Fame selection,” said Steve Sarkisian. “He’s a guy who I always admired as a player during his time at Texas and in the NFL. His accomplishments as a player are well documented, but personally, I’ve really enjoyed my time getting to know him since I came to Texas and am so fortunate to have him on our staff. Michael is incredibly humble, is an invaluable resource for our players and staff, and just gives so much of himself for his love of the Longhorns and all these guys building on the great legacy he is a part of here. I couldn’t be happier for him and his family and look forward to celebrating him all year as we lead up to the induction ceremony in December.”
A two-time All-American who earned unanimous first-team honors as a senior, Huff was a four-year starter for the Longhorns, starting 50-of-51 career games. One of only 25 unanimous first-team All-Americans in the history of Texas Football, he was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection who recorded 318 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 44 pass breakups (No. 6 in program history), six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Texas registered a 45-6 record (28-4, Big 12) in his four seasons, posting at least 10 wins each year and three Top 6 final rankings (1st/2005, 4th/2004, 11th/2003, 6th/2002). He was 3-1 in bowl games, including back-to-back Rose Bowl victories in 2004 and 2005. Huff still holds UT records for interception returns for touchdowns for both a single season (two, in both 2002 and 2003) and career (four), along with career defensive scores (five). His 23.1 yards per interception return in a career is also still a Longhorn record, and his 162 career interception return yards rank fifth. He was additionally a special teams standout who blocked three kicks.
In his one season of track, he qualified for the NCAA regional meet with a 10.48 in the 100 meters and ran the lead leg on Texas’ 400-meter relay that took second place at the Big 12 Championships. That foursome went on to finish third at the NCAA Midwest Regional meet.
A first-round draft pick (7th overall) of the Oakland Raiders in 2006, Huff played eight NFL
seasons, mostly as a versatile player who started at both safety spots and cornerback during his career. He played in 118 career games with 94 starts and posted 446 tackles, 11 interceptions and 55 passes defended. He culminated his career by playing in the Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in 2013. Huff was tabbed second-team All-Pro in 2010.
Very active in the community both during his time at UT and currently, Huff was recognized by the University of Texas campus group SafeHorns with the Community Impact Award in 2021. The Raiders also named Huff their Walter Payton Man of the Year honoree in 2012 for his community, charity and volunteer efforts.
Huff graduated with a degree in youth and community studies in December 2005 and was enshrined in the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor in 2015. He was inducted into the Irving Independent School District Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023, and his jersey number 23 has been retired in his honor at his high school, Nimitz.
During the 2025 season, each member of the Hall of Fame Class will be honored on the field at his respective school with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments. The Class will be officially inducted during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, 2025, at the Bellagio Hotel & Resort, and permanently immortalized at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
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)
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