Tippett, Dwight, Davis on hall of fame ballot

IOWA CITY - Andre Tippett, Tim Dwight and Troy Davis were among 76 major college football players listed on the 2016 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, which was released Tuesday.

Tippett was a 1981 consensus first-team All-American defensive end at Iowa and led the Hawkeyes to their first Rose Bowl in 23 years. He holds the Iowa record for tackle-for-loss yardage (153 on 20 TFLs). Tippett, a longtime New England Patriots outside linebacker, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Dwight was a two-time first-team All-American as a punt returner at Iowa in 1996 and 1997. He placed seventh in the 1997 Heisman Trophy voting and left Iowa as the Big Ten's leader in punt return yardage (1,102).

Davis was a two-time consensus first-team All-American at Iowa State and twice was named a Heisman Trophy finalist. He was the first player in NCAA history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He was voted the 1996 Big 12 Player of the Year.

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.

Among the candidates for the divisional category include former Northern Iowa running back Carl Boyd, Central College linebacker Al Dorenkamp and Iowa Wesleyan punter Mike Wiggins. Boyd was a first-team All-American in 1987 and rushed for 2,735 yards and caught passes for 1,987 yards in his career. Dorenkamp, an All-American in 1974, captained Central to the Division III national title. Wiggins was an NAIA All-American in 1986 and 1987.

Northwestern College Coach Larry Korver (1967-94) and Northern Iowa Coach Clyde 'Buck” Starbeck (1936-42, 1945-57) were tabbed to the divisional ballot. Korver led Northwestern College to two national titles, 14 playoff appearances and a 212-77-6 record. Starbeck built a 95-58-10 record from 1936-42 and then 1945-57. Starbeck won seven conference titles and guided UNI to 31-game unbeaten streak.

The class of 2016, which includes a maximum of 19 people, is announced Jan. 8 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Players are eligible if they were named a first-team All-American. Coaches must be retired for at least three years or reach 70 years of age. Standards for coaches include a minimum of 10 years, 100 games and a .600 winning percentage.

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