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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10 Dec 1994: COLORADO RUNNING BACK RASHAAN SALAAM WITH THE HEISMAN TROPHY AFTER BEING NAMED AS THE 60TH WINNER OF THE AWARD AT THE DOWNTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB IN NEW YORK CITY NEW YORK. /

2. Rashaan Salaam, Colorado, RB

If a player wins the Heisman Trophy, they should be in the Hall of Fame. Full stop. The story of Rahaan Salaam is a sad one, but he deserves to have his legacy enshrined so people know his story.

Salaam had one of the best seasons for a running back ever in 1994. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a junior, put up 24 touchdowns, and won that Heisman Trophy. Ki-Jana Carter, Steve McNair, and Kerry Collins were all vying for the trophy, and Salaam ended up being the winner. He helped lead the Colorado Buffaloes to an 11-1 record, only losing one game to number one Nebraska and undefeated Nebraska. Against the Texas Longhorns, Salaam had a school-record of 362 yards.

On top of the Heisman, Salaam won the Doak Walker Award, the Sporting News Player of the Year, and the Walter Camp Award.

Salaam died in 2016 by suicide in a Boulder, Colorado park. He was still one of the biggest surprises to win the Heisman, and his legacy deserves to live on past him. He needs to go into the Hall this season.

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