• He was a Two-time First Team All-America selection in 1992 and 1993

The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2025 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 77 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional ranks. Former Cowboy wide receiver Ryan Yarborough (1990-93) is one of 77 former Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Players eligible for selection in this coming year’s class.

Wyoming’s first two-time All-American, and one of the most prolific receivers in Cowboy football history. Yarborough finished his career as the nation’s leader in receiving yards, most 200-yard receiving games, and most games catching a touchdown pass.

He remains as Wyoming’s career touchdown-reception leader with 42. In 1992 Yarborough was selected to the Football Writers of America First team as a junior after leading the nation in receiving yards with 1,351 yards. He finished that year with 86 receptions and 12 touchdown catches. As a senior in 1993, Yarborough again led the nation in receiving with 1,584 yards. That season he caught 75 passes for 16 touchdowns. His totals broke the NCAA career receiving yardage record with 4,357 yards. He established or tied five NCAA records during his senior year. That season he caught 75 passes for 1,584 yards and 16 touchdowns. For his efforts he was named to the Associated Press and Football Writers of America first team.

He tied the NCAA record for most 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a career with three, only the fourth player in history to accomplish that. His Cowboy records for career and single-season touchdown receptions still stand. He was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference first-team receiver after his junior and senior seasons. Following his career at Wyoming, Yarborough was a second-round draft choice of the New York Jets. He played professionally for the Jets, the Baltimore Ravens, and the New Orleans Saints.

“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot considering more than 5.7 million people have played college football and only 1,093 players have been inducted,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of about 1,500 individuals who are even eligible. Being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played the game, and we look forward to announcing the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class early next year.”

The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. (Individuals can cast a vote this year by clicking here to become an NFF member.)

The Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and members of the media. Click here for the official criteria and the voting procedures, which govern election to the Hall.

“Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the College Football Hall of Fame inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Mississippi. “There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport.”

The announcement of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2025, with specific details to be announced in the future.

The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, 2025 at the Bellagio Hotel & Resort, and they will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2025 season.

Of the 5.7 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on Nov. 6, 1869, only 1,093 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, or less than two one-hundredths of a percent (.02%) of those who have played the game during the past 154 seasons. From the coaching ranks, 233 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.

ABOUT The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; The William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & Hatchell Cup presented by the Original Bob’s Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Bruin Capital, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Hanold Associates Executive Search, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.