MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame has announced that former West Virginia University running back Steve Slaton is a member of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class.

"I am so excited for Steve, and what a great honor for him," WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez said. "When you look at the years 2005-07, there was not a better running back in college football than Steve Slaton. When he is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December, it will be a special day for all Mountaineers."
 
Announced on ESPN's "College Football Live", the 18 All-America First Team players and four standout coaches in the 2025 Class were selected from the national ballot of 77 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional ranks.

"We are thrilled to announce the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class," NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Mississippi Archie Manning said. "Each of these legends ranks among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to adding their incredible accomplishments to those permanently enshrined in the Hall of Fame."

The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, 2025, at Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
 
STEVE SLATON
An elusive running back who torched defenses with his explosive speed, Steve Slaton led West Virginia during one of the most successful periods in school history. The Levittown, Pennsylvania, native now becomes the seventh Mountaineer player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A unanimous First Team All-American in 2006, Slaton finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting and as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award that year, setting the WVU single-season rushing record with 1,744 yards while accumulating 2,104 all-purpose yards.
 
Making an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2005, Slaton set a then-Big East record with 1,128 rushing yards, including a memorable six-touchdown performance in a triple-overtime victory against Louisville. His MVP performance in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia included a bowl-record 204 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He was named Big East Rookie of the Year while being named a First Team Freshman All-American. He rushed for 1,051 yards in 2007, adding a third consecutive season of more than 1,000 yards.
 
During his three seasons in Morgantown, WVU went 33-5, winning three consecutive bowls (2006 Sugar, 2007 Gator and the 2008 Fiesta upset of Oklahoma) and boasting final national rankings of No. 5 in 2005, No. 10 in 2006 and No. 6 in 2007. The run included two Big East titles (2005, 2007), the winningest three-year period in WVU history and the second-best record in the nation over the three years.
 
A three-time All-Big East performer (First Team in 2006, Second Team in 2005, 2007), Slaton finished his college career as WVU's all-time leader in total touchdowns (55), rushing touchdowns (50), and points scored by a non-kicker (330). He and quarterback Pat White formed one of the most prolific rushing duos in NCAA history, each surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons as just the third pair to ever do so. He rushed for 3,923 yards during his career, adding another 805 receiving and totaling 4,775 all-purpose yards. He finished his career as the NCAA active leader in points per game (9.4) with multiple spots in the conference and school records books.
Selected in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft by Houston, Slaton played four years with the Texans before concluding his career with the Dolphins in 2011. He played with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL for one season before retiring from football and pursuing a career in the culinary arts as a personal chef and kitchen consultant in Houston. He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
 
2025 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS
PLAYERS:

• Montee Ball, RB (2009-12) – University of Wisconsin
• Gregg Carr, LB (1981-84) – Auburn University
• Blake Elliott, WR (2000-03) – Saint John's University (MN)
• Greg Eslinger, C (2002-05) – University of Minnesota
• Terry Hanratty, QB (1966-68) – University of Notre Dame
• Graham Harrell, QB (2005-08) – Texas Tech University
• John Henderson, DT (1999-2001) – University of Tennessee
• Michael Huff, DB (2002-05) – University of Texas
• Jim Kleinsasser, TE (1995-98) – University of North Dakota
• Alex Mack, OL (2005-08) – University of California
• Terrence Metcalf, OL (1997, 1999-2001) – University of Mississippi
• Haloti Ngata, DT (2002, 2004-05) – University of Oregon
• Steve Slaton, RB (2005-07) – West Virginia University
• Darrin Smith, LB (1989-92) – University of Miami
• Michael Strahan, DL (1989-92) – Texas Southern University
• Dennis Thurman, DB (1974-77) – University of Southern California
• Michael Vick, QB (1999-2000) – Virginia Tech
• Ryan Yarborough, WR (1990-93) – University of Wyoming

 COACHES:

• Larry Blakeney – 178-113-1 (61.1%): Troy University (1991-2014)
• Larry Korver – 212-77-6 (72.9%): Northwestern College [IA] (1967-94)
• Urban Meyer – 187-32-0 (85.4%): Bowling Green State University (2001-02): University of Utah (2003-04); University of Florida (2005-10); Ohio State University (2012-18)
• Nick Saban – 292-71-1 (80.4%): University of Toledo (1990); Michigan State University (1995-99); LSU (2000-04); University of Alabama (2007-23)

West Virginia University National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Inductees

WVU Players

• Bruce Bosley, T (1952-55) – 1982
• Major Harris, QB (1987-89) – 2009
• Sam Huff, G/T (1952-55) – 1980
• Ira Errett "Rat" Rodgers, FB (1915-17,19) – 1957
• Joe Stydahar, T (1933-35) - 1972
• Darryl Talley, LB (1979-82) – 2011
• Steve Slaton RB (2005-07) - 2025

 WVU Head Coaches

• Bobby Bowden (1970-75) – 2006
• Frank Cignetti (1976-79) – 2013
• Alfred "Greasy" Neale (1931-33) – 1967
• Don Nehlen (1980-2000) - 2005
• Clarence "Doc"Spears (1921-24) - 1955