25 best college football players not in the College Football Hall of Fame (yet)

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 14: Carson Palmer of the University of Southern California speaks with the press after winning the 68th annual Heisman Trophy Award at The Yale Club December 14, 2002 in New York City. The USC quarterback became the first west coast player win the trophy since 1981. Palmer received 242 first-place votes winning by 233 over second place Iowa quarterback Brad Banks. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) /

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Andre Tippett of the New England Patriots (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

8. Andre Tippett, Iowa, DE

Andre Tippett is a surprise miss by the College Football Hall of Fame. While he played for the Iowa Hawkeyes, not necessarily one of the traditional powerhouses, those Iowa teams were great when he was there. A lot of their greatness had to do with Tippett’s dominance on the field. Iowa won its first Rose Bowl in more than 20 years thanks to Tippett’s defensive play. He captained the unit in 1981 that only allowed 129 points all season. He even led Iowa to its first Big Ten Title.

Winning came to Iowa for the first time in decades thanks to a dominant defense. That defense was dominant because Tippett was keeping opposing rushing attacks in check.

He was All-Big Ten twice and became an All American in his final season. Tippett still holds the record for tackles for loss in a season at Iowa. He had 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage which led to a total loss of 153 yards. Imagine the pure impact that can have on an opposing offense.

Tippett was a dominant player on the defensive line. He is already in the National Football Hall of Fame, the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, and the Iowa Varsity Club Hall of Fame. It’s time to enshrine him in the last Hall of Fame that matters to his legacy.

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