A two-time national champion, consensus All-American and former Alabama linebacker was one of 75 players and six coaches named to the National Football Foundation’s (NFF) Hall of Fame ballot for the Class of 2018.
After a strong career at the University of Alabama and spending 12 seasons in the National Football League, former Crimson Tide great E.J. Junior has made the 2018 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot. News of this was announced today, according to the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Hall of Fame.
As the Southeastern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1980, the ex-Tide linebacker was a consensus All-American and a finalist for the Lombardi Award. A four-year player under legendary head coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant, Junior was a member on Bryant’s final two national championship teams in 1978-79.
He was one of multiple players featured in the heroic 1979 Sugar Bowl’s “Goal line stand” of Penn State’s running back, Mike Gunman to defeat the Nittany Lions 14-7 and capture the 1978 national championship.
Junior’s career ended with 39 tackles for loss, which was an Alabama record at the time.
To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a First Team All-American by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams, played their last year of intercollegiate football at least 10 years prior, played within the last 50 years and cannot currently be playing professional football. The announcement of the 2018 Class will be made Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. The city is serving as the host for the College Football Playoff National Championship, which will be played later that day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
