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A pair of Arkansas legends are on the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot.
Offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth and defensive tackle Dan Hampton are among 78 players from the FBS included on the ballot for the 2021 class, which will be announced early next year.
One of the most well-known and tragic stories in Arkansas history, Burlsworth began his career with the Razorbacks as a walk-on from Harrison. He eventually worked his way into the starting lineup as an offensive guard and earned a scholarship.
After starting 34 consecutive games, being named first-team All-SEC twice and earning first-team All-America honors in 1998, the man known for his thick black glasses was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, he never had a chance to play in the NFL. Just 11 days after being drafted, Burlsworth was killed in a car accident on his way back to Harrison following a workout in Fayetteville. Since his death, his jersey No. 77 has been retired, his family and friends started the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, the trophy annually awarded to college football’s top walk-on was named in his honor and his life was depicted in the movie Greater.
Hampton is another in-state product, joining the Razorbacks after a standout career at Jacksonville. During his four years in Fayetteville, he was a three-year starter and two-time All-SWC selection.
At the end of the 1977 season, Hampton was part of a smothering defense that shutdown a powerful Oklahoma team and led Arkansas to a shocking 31-6 upset in the Orange Bowl under new head coach Lou Holtz. He racked up 18 tackles for loss as a senior in 1978 - which is still tied for sixth on the UA single-season charts - and was selected by the Chicago Bears with the fourth overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft.
As good as he was in college, Hampton was even better at the professional level. A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the Bears’ famed 1985 defense that won Super Bowl XX, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
Other notable players on the 2021 ballot include Georgia defensive back Champ Bailey, Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch, LSU running back Kevin Faulk, Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney, California tight end Tony Gonzalez, Syracuse wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Miami (Fla.) linebacker Ray Lewis, Colorado running back Rashaan Salaam and Kansas State running back Darren Sproles.
To be eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame, a player must have been named a first-team All-American by an NCAA-recognized selector, played within the past 50 seasons and completed his career at least 10 years ago.
There are currently nine former Razorbacks inducted into the Hall of Fame as players: Wear Schoonover (Class of 1967), Clyde Scott (1971), Lance Alworth (1984), Loyd Phillips (1992), Chuck Dicus (1999), Billy Ray Smith Jr. (2000), Wayne Harris (2004), Ronnie Caveness (2010) and Darren McFadden (2019).
Former Arkansas head coaches Hugo Bezdek (1954), Frank Broyles (1983), Bowden Wyatt (1997) and Danny Ford (2017) are also members of the College Football Hall of Fame, as are Johnny Majors (1987), Barry Switzer (2001), Doug Dickey (2003), Hayden Fry (2003), Tracy Rocker (2004) and Jimmy Johnson (2012), who each spent time in Fayetteville as assistant coaches.