Photo by: WVU Athletic Communications
WVU’s Slaton Officially Inducted Into The College Football Hall of Fame
December 10, 2025 11:24 AM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Steve Slaton's induction into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame is now official.
Last night, Slaton and 15 others were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the 67th National Football Foundation (NFF) Annual Awards Dinner at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
According to the NFF release, more than 1,800 people were in attendance and the event was also streamed on ESPN+.
Slaton broke onto the scene during his freshman year in 2005 when he went from fourth on the team's depth chart to scoring a school-record six touchdowns in West Virginia's five-overtime 46-44 victory over Louisville and later setting a Sugar Bowl rushing record with 204 yards in the Mountaineers' stunning 38-35 victory over Georgia.
He was named the game's offensive MVP.
Slaton's record lasted nine years before being topped by Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott in 2015 against Alabama when he ran for 230 yards.
His best season at West Virginia came in 2006 when he rushed for a career-high 1,744 yards with 16 touchdowns, while also catching 27 passes for 360 yards and two scores to earn unanimous consensus All-America honors. He was second in the nation in all-purpose yardage, fourth in rushing yards per game and tied for 12th in scoring.
His best single-game performance was his 215 yards rushing and 130 yards receiving in the Mountaineers' 45-27 victory over Pitt in 2006.
Slaton's junior year in 2007 saw him eclipse 100 yards in a game six times and finish with another 1,000-yard rushing season, his third at WVU.
In 36 career games, the Levittown, Pennsylvania, resident rushed for 3,923 yards and a school-best 50 touchdowns. His rushing yardage total ranks fifth in school history despite skipping his senior year to enter the NFL Draft.
"When the dust settles, all of the hard work you put in will show off," Slaton said during Tuesday afternoon's press conference. "Everybody from that 2005 season on the team and the people of the state, they surround you and help make you become a better player for them."
West Virginia won the 2006 Sugar, 2007 Gator and 2008 Fiesta Bowls and produced an impressive 33-5 record during Slaton's three seasons in Morgantown.
"I'm most proud that all of the guys are still friends," he said. "We're still a family and I think that's why football is one of the best team sports that you can play. I'm proud that the guys I grinded with have remained great men, great human beings and great fathers. I appreciate that."
Slaton played five NFL seasons with the Houston Texas and Miami Dolphins, rushing for 1,282 yards and scoring nine touchdowns during his rookie season in 2008, but a severe nerve injury affecting his right arm and causing numbness curtailed his professional career.
Today, he lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife Kimberly and their two sons.
Slaton now becomes the 14th player with West Virginia University ties inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Linebacker Darryl Talley was the most recent inductee in 2011.
Among those in Las Vegas representing West Virginia University in support of Slaton were coach Rich Rodriguez, athletics director Wren Baker and president Michael T. Benson.
Last night, Slaton and 15 others were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the 67th National Football Foundation (NFF) Annual Awards Dinner at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
According to the NFF release, more than 1,800 people were in attendance and the event was also streamed on ESPN+.
Slaton broke onto the scene during his freshman year in 2005 when he went from fourth on the team's depth chart to scoring a school-record six touchdowns in West Virginia's five-overtime 46-44 victory over Louisville and later setting a Sugar Bowl rushing record with 204 yards in the Mountaineers' stunning 38-35 victory over Georgia.
He was named the game's offensive MVP.
Slaton's record lasted nine years before being topped by Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott in 2015 against Alabama when he ran for 230 yards.
His best season at West Virginia came in 2006 when he rushed for a career-high 1,744 yards with 16 touchdowns, while also catching 27 passes for 360 yards and two scores to earn unanimous consensus All-America honors. He was second in the nation in all-purpose yardage, fourth in rushing yards per game and tied for 12th in scoring.
His best single-game performance was his 215 yards rushing and 130 yards receiving in the Mountaineers' 45-27 victory over Pitt in 2006.
Slaton's junior year in 2007 saw him eclipse 100 yards in a game six times and finish with another 1,000-yard rushing season, his third at WVU.
In 36 career games, the Levittown, Pennsylvania, resident rushed for 3,923 yards and a school-best 50 touchdowns. His rushing yardage total ranks fifth in school history despite skipping his senior year to enter the NFL Draft.
"When the dust settles, all of the hard work you put in will show off," Slaton said during Tuesday afternoon's press conference. "Everybody from that 2005 season on the team and the people of the state, they surround you and help make you become a better player for them."
West Virginia won the 2006 Sugar, 2007 Gator and 2008 Fiesta Bowls and produced an impressive 33-5 record during Slaton's three seasons in Morgantown.
"I'm most proud that all of the guys are still friends," he said. "We're still a family and I think that's why football is one of the best team sports that you can play. I'm proud that the guys I grinded with have remained great men, great human beings and great fathers. I appreciate that."
Slaton played five NFL seasons with the Houston Texas and Miami Dolphins, rushing for 1,282 yards and scoring nine touchdowns during his rookie season in 2008, but a severe nerve injury affecting his right arm and causing numbness curtailed his professional career.
Today, he lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife Kimberly and their two sons.
Slaton now becomes the 14th player with West Virginia University ties inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Linebacker Darryl Talley was the most recent inductee in 2011.
Among those in Las Vegas representing West Virginia University in support of Slaton were coach Rich Rodriguez, athletics director Wren Baker and president Michael T. Benson.
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Rich Rodriguez | Nov. 29
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