Dwight, Tippett on College Hall of Fame ballot

IOWA CITY — Former Iowa All-Americans Tim Dwight and Andre Tippett were among 75 Football Bowl Subdivision candidates for the College Football Hall of Fame's class of 2017.

The ballot was released to voters Wednesday morning by the National Football Foundation. The class will be announced Jan. 6, 2017 in Tampa, Fla.

Dwight, a graduate of Iowa City High, was a two-time first-team All-American and the consensus All-American kick returner in 1997. He placed seventh in 1997 Heisman Trophy voting. Dwight ended his career as the Big Ten's leader in punt return yardage (1,102) and punt return touchdowns (five). He currently ranks fourth and second in those respective categories. The Big Ten honored Dwight last year (along with former Nebraska star Johnny Rodgers) by creating the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year award.

As a wide receiver, Dwight caught 139 passes for 2,271 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed for 322 yards and six touchdowns on 37 attempts. At Iowa, Dwight holds school records for career punt return yards and touchdowns, season punt return touchdowns, and kickoff returns in a game (nine). He is tied for second in career receiving touchdowns, ranks third in career receiving yards and career all-purpose yards, fourth in career touchdowns (32) and 11th in career scoring (192 points).

Tippett, a Newark, N.J., native, was a two-time all-Big Ten selection and earned first-team All-American honorees as a defensive end in 1981. He owns Iowa's record with 153 yards on tackles for loss (20) in a season. He was a team captain in both 1980 and 1981, when he led the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl berth. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1982 draft and was named the NFL's 1985 defensive player of the year by one national outlet. He was named a member of the NFL's team of the 1980s and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Five other Hall of Fame lower-division candidates either coached or played in the state during their career. They include UNI running back Carl Boyd, Central College linebacker Al Dorenkamp, Iowa Wesleyan punter Mike Wiggins, Northwestern College Coach Larry Korver and UNI Coach Buck Starbeck.

Boyd was a first-team All-American in 1987, when he was the Gateway Conference's offensive player of the year. He totaled 2,735 rushing yards and 1,987 receiving yards. Dorenkamp was a first-team All-American in 1974, when he captained Central to a 11-0 record and the Division III national title. Wiggins was an NAIA All-American punter in 1986 and 1987.

Korver guided Northwestern to two national titles, 14 playoff appearances and 212 victories in 28 seasons. Starbeck led UNI from 1936-42 and 1945-57 to seven league titles and once guided the Panthers to 31 consecutive league victories.

Monticello native Mike Dirks, a 1967 first-team All-American defensive tackle at Wyoming, also was named to the major-college ballot. Dirks had 59 tackles for loss in his career. Former Northwest Missouri State Coach Mel Tjeerdsma, who grew up in northwest Iowa, is on the ballot for the first time. Tjeerdsma guided the Bearcats to seven Division II title games and three national titles. He led his teams to 15 conference titles and 15 playoff appearances.

The University of Iowa has 11 members in the College Football Hall of Fame. The most recent inductees are linebacker Larry Station (2009) and Coach Hayden Fry (2003). Others include Coach Forest Evashevski (2000), quarterback Chuck Long (1999), defensive tackle Alex Karras (1991), quarterback Aubrey Devine (1973), guard Cal Jones (1980), lineman Duke Slater (1951), back Nile Kinnick (1957), quarterback Randy Duncan (1997), fullback Gordon Locke (1960).

Iowa State has one inductee, guard Ed Bock (1970). Running back Troy Davis has appeared on previous Hall of Fame ballots.

The criteria for player induction includes first-team All-American recognition at least 10 years after his college football career has ended within the last 50 years period. Current pro players are ineligible until they retire. Coaches are eligible if they coached for at least 100 games, 10 years and compiled a .600 winning percentage. Coaches either must be at least 70 years old and three years after retirement.

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