Sep 23, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Longtime Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Frank Beamer waves to the crowd after the fourth quarter against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Lane Stadium. Photo Credit: Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Frank Beamer and Mack Brown were among the 13 players and coaches selected to the 2018 College Football Hall of Fame on Monday.
The deep class also includes 1997 Heisman Trophy recipient Charles Woodson of Michigan (1995-97) along with Miami safety Ed Reed (1998-2001) and Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson (2004-06).
Also included in the 10-player, three-coach class are Rice running back Trevor Cobb (1989-92); Penn State quarterback Kerry Collins (1991-94); Montana quarterback Dave Dickenson (1992-95); Illinois linebacker Dana Howard (1991-94); Temple running back Paul Palmer (1983-86); Georgia offensive tackle Matt Stinchcomb (1995-98); Nebraska offensive lineman Aaron Taylor (1994-97) and former Austin College and Northwest Missouri State coach Mel Tjeerdsma (1984-2010).
The class was unveiled in Atlanta, site of the College Football Playoff national championship game between Alabama and Georgia.
All honorees officially will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 4 in New York.
–Looking for help with a struggling offense, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh hired Dan Enos, the former head coach at Central Michigan and the offensive coordinator the past three years at Arkansas.
Enos will join Harbaugh’s staff to serve as an offensive assistant. The 49-year-old Enos worked at Arkansas under Bret Bielema, who was fired after the Razorbacks went 4-8 in 2017.
At Central Michigan, Enos posted a 26-36 overall record but went 20-18 with two bowl appearances in his final three seasons at the Mid-American Conference school.
–Washington State reportedly hired former Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys as defensive coordinator.
Reports emerged that Claeys will join the Cougars after Ohio State officially announced Monday that Alex Grinch came on board with the Buckeyes as their co-defensive coordinator along with Greg Schiano.
Washington State had yet to confirm the news. Claeys worked under longtime head coach Jerry Kill as a defensive assistant and coordinator at Emporia State, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois and Minnesota.
–Southern California wide receiver Deontay Burnett announced Monday on Twitter that he’s forgoing his senior season.
The 20-year-old Burnett was the Trojans’ leading receiver in 2017 with 86 catches for 1,114 yards and nine touchdowns.
His career totals in three seasons were 152 career receptions for 1,897 yards and 16 touchdowns.
In addition to Darnold and Burnett, running back Ronald Jones II announced earlier that has declaring the NFL draft.
Led by Darnold, Burnett and Jones, USC finished 11-3 and won the Pac-12 title this season.
NFLDraftScout.com ranks Burnett as the seventh-best wide receiver in the draft.
–Tennessee Volunteers junior defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie is leaving for the NFL, posting his decision to enter the draft on Instagram.
“I want to thank my coaches for the opportunity they gave me to attend this amazing University,” McKenzie wrote. “I also want to thank my teammates for pushing me everyday, I love every last one of y’all. The memories I have with y’all make me smile and proud to have been your teammate. I have so much love in my heart for all of y’all and hope that you can have that same love for me at the next level.”
McKenzie, the son of Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, was limited to seven games in 2016 due to a pectoral injury but he came back with 35 tackles and two sacks this season.
–Jonathan Hayes of the Cincinnati Bengals and Bobby Johnson of the Oakland Raiders will be the head coaches for the 2018 East-West Shrine Game, the NFL announced.
The 93rd annual East-West Shrine Game, which features some of college football’s best prospects, will kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 20, from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
