Former Nebraska lineman Aaron Taylor, who won an Outland Trophy and played on three national championship teams, on Monday was among 10 former players picked for 2018 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Taylor was a two-time All-American at NU — and first player in school history to be selected at two different positions — and won the Outland in 1997, when he was a senior captain. During his college career, the Huskers went 49-2 and were national champs in 1994, 1995 and 1997.
The 2018 College Football Hall of Fame class will be officially inducted at the 61st National Football Foundation annual awards dinner on Dec. 4 in New York. Taylor will be the 18th former NU player to go into the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Huskers have 24 overall inductees when including six former coaches.
Among recent Huskers inducted into the hall have been Trev Alberts in 2015, Tommie Frazier in 2013, Will Shields in 2011, Grant Wistrom in 2009 and Mike Rozier in 2006.
The 2018 inductees were announced Monday by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The class included 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson of Michigan, which split the ’97 national championship with Taylor’s final Husker team.
Others of note on the list were receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech, quarterback Kerry Collins of Penn State, defensive back Ed Reed of Miami and tailback Paul Palmer of Temple.
The ballot for 2018 also included former Huskers Eric Crouch and Zach Wiegert.
Taylor came to Nebraska from Wichita Falls, Texas, and was a starter at both left guard (1995 and ’97) and center (1996) during his Husker career. Among his many honors, he was named to all-century teams by Sports Illustrated and Walter Camp, and also the Big 12 10th anniversary team.
Taylor had his No. 67 jersey retired by the Huskers in 1998.
Among the three coaches selected for the College Football Hall of Fame was Mel Tjeerdsma, who led the Northwest Missouri State program from 1994 to 2010. The Bearcats went 183-43 and won three NCAA Division II national championships during his tenure.
Mack Brown and Frank Beamer also will be inducted as coaches.
The 2018 College Hall of Fame class:
Players: Trevor Cobb, RB, Rice (1989-92); Kerry Collins, QB, Penn State (1991-94); Dave Dickenson, QB, Montana (1992-95); Dana Howard, LB, Illinois (1991-94); Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech (2004-06); Paul Palmer, RB, Temple (1983-86); Ed Reed, DB, Miami (1998-01); Matt Stinchcomb, OT, Georgia (1995-98); Aaron Taylor, OL, Nebraska (1994-97); Charles Woodson, DB, Michigan (1995-97).
Coaches: Frank Beamer (Murray State, Virginia Tech); Mack Brown (Appalachian State, Tulane, North Carolina, Texas); Mel Tjeerdsma (Austin College, Northwest Missouri State).
