Michael Vick, Larry Fitzgerald headline 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

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Michael Vick
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The National Football Foundation released the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot on Monday, and that includes seven players who made the ballot in their first year of candidacy. 

Virginia Tech's Michael Vick and Pitt's Larry Fitzgerald are among the marquee names on the ballot. 

Vick, one of the most-exciting quarterbacks in college football history, led Virginia Tech to the 2000 Sugar Bowl against Florida State. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy in 1999 and sixth in 2000. 

In two seasons as a starter, Vick had 3,299 yards and 21 TDs, but he also had 1,299 rushing yards and 17 TDs on 5.5 yards per carry. That remarkable play-making ability was a signature that allowed him to be the No. 1 pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. 

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Fitzgerald finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Oklahoma's Jason White in 2003. Fitzgerald had 69 catches for 1,005 yards and 12 TDs as a redshirt freshman in 2002 before a full-fledged breakout the following season with 92 catches, 1,672 yards and 22 TDs. 

Wisconsin's Montee Ball finished fourth in the Heisman voting in 20211. He had an amazing two year stretch with the Badgers with 3,753 rushing yards and 55 TDs from 2011-12. Arizona State's Terrell Suggs also is on the list. Suggs set the FBS single-season record for sacks with 24 in 2002. 

Ole Miss' Michael Oher, Texas safety Michael Huff and Minnesota center Greg Eslinger also are first-timers options on the ballot. 

Former Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss is the biggest name among non-FBS players. In two seasons, Moss had 54 touchdown catches, helped Marshall win a Division 1-AA national title and finished fourth in Heisman voting before becoming a first-round NFL pick.

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Nine other players who are on the ballot for the first time after not making it in previous seasons include Colorado cornerback Deon Figures, Cal cornerback Daymeion Hughes, Auburn guard Ed King, Washington center Olin Kreutz, Oregon State lineman Andy Levitre, Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman, Georgia defensive tackle Richard Seymoure, Miami linebacker Darrin Smith and Auburn linebacker Takeo Spikes. 

The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame will be announced in January.

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Bill Bender is a national college football writer for The Sporting News.
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