Ole Miss legend Terrence Metcalf is set to take his place among the greatest athletes to ever play college football.
Metcalf is one of 18 players, along with four coaches, that will make up the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class, per the National Football Foundation (NFF). The former All-American offensive tackle competed for the Rebels in 1997-2001 under Tommy Tuberville and David Cutcliffe. He’ll be the only tackle inducted in this year’s group.
The Clarksdale native earned a legacy as one of the most formidable linemen in program history during his time in Oxford. Metcalf was a consensus First Team All-American in 2001 as well as a Second Team All-American selection in 1999, leading the red and blue to a trio of bowl appearances (1997 Motor City, 1999 Independence, 2000 Music City Bowl) and two final national rankings (No. 22 in 1997 and No. 22 in 1999).
“We are thrilled to announce the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” Ole Miss giant and NFF Chairman Archie Manning said. “Each of these legends ranks among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to adding their incredible accomplishments to those permanently enshrined in the Hall of Fame.”
Ole Miss went 37-22 over Metcalf’s five-year career, which included opening gaps for the program’s all-time leading rusher, Deuce McAllister, and the first two seasons of Eli Manning’s record-setting career. His long list of superlatives also includes recognition as the SEC’s Most Valuable Lineman in 2001, 1997 Co-Offensive Player of the Year by the Rebel Club of Jackson, and the J. Richard Price Courage and Compassion Award in 2001.
Metcalf, also an Ole Miss and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame inductee, played in the 2002 Senior Bowl as one of the NFL’s top prospects before becoming a third-round draft pick and playing for the Chicago Bears for seven seasons.
Welcome to the CFB Hall of Fame!
Terrence Metcalf, Class of 2025#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/Hi3kDMIxqz
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 15, 2025
After his NFL career, Metcalf returned to Oxford to complete his degree, graduating in 2016. He then moved on to a coaching career that included stints at Oxford High School, Pearl River Community College, and as the head coach at Coahoma Community College.
Metcalf is the father of current All-Pro Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf.
The 2025 Class was selected from the national ballot of 77 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional ranks. The NFF’s 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted on December 9 in Las Vegas.
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)
