Danny Wuerffel’s NFL career never amounted to much, but his outstanding play as the Florida Gators’ quarterback has earned him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. The two-time All-American highlights the 2013 class that also includes Tommie Frazier and Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne.
Wuerffel stood behind center at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as the “The Swamp,” for all four years of college at the University of Florida. He passed for more than 1,700 yards a season and threw 114 touchdowns throughout his college career.
The one touchdown pass that matters most came his senior year at the Sugar Bowl against Florida State when he found Ike Hilliard in the end zone during the third quarter before going on to win 52-50 for the 1996 National Championship.
The year before, Tommie Frazier’s Nebraska Cornhuskers met the Gators in the championship and embarrassed Danny Wuerfell’s team by a final score of 62-24. Now they will meet again as the newest members of the College Hall of Fame.
Running back Ron Dayne had one of the best college seasons of all-time in 1999, statistically speaking, as he rushed for 2,034 yards and 20 touchdowns. A 17-9 win in the Rose Bowl over Stanford capped off his historic season along with nine awards, including the Heisman.
All three college standouts, along with 10 other players and two coaches, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in December. Here is a list of the rest of the group who were voted into the 2013 class: Ted Brown of North Carolina State; Tedy Bruschi of Arizona; Jerry Gray of Texas; Steve Meilinger of Kentucky; Orlando Pace of Ohio State; Rod Shoate of Oklahoma; Percy Snow of Michigan State; and Don Trull of Baylor.
Vinny Testaverde, the Heisman quarterback from the University of Miami, was elected on Monday and will also join the rest of the group in Manhattan in December.
In 2011, Danny Wuerffel was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome , a rare autoimmune disorder which causes paralysis and problems with the nervous system. According to the Associated Press , he is back on track and feeling much better after a year of struggles with energy and strength.
[Image via Jamie Campbell ]
