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Former Spartan Great Lorenzo White to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

By Ryan O'Bleness
Lorenzo White

Lorenzo White, the all-time rushing yards leader in Michigan State Spartans history, has been named to the College Football Hall of Fame.

White is one of 13 players to be enshrined in 2019. He joins:

  • Terrell Buckley (DB, Florida State)
  • Rickey Dixon (DB, Oklahoma)
  • London Fletcher (LB, John Carroll)
  • Jacob Green (DL, Texas A&M)
  • Torry Holt (WR, North Carolina State)
  • Raghib “Rocket” Ismail (WR/KR, Notre Dame)
  • Darren McFadden (RB, Arkansas)
  • Jake Plummer (QB, Arizona State)
  • Joe Thomas (OT, Wisconsin)
  • Patrick Willis (LB, Mississippi)
  • Vince Young (QB, Texas)

Additionally, two coaches will be inducted as well: Dennis Erickson and Joe Taylor.

The Spartan legend, who also holds the school record for most career rushing touchdowns with 43, played for the Spartans from 1984 through 1987. White was the Big Ten Player of the Year in 1987 and a two-time All-American selection in 1985 and 1987.

He also helped lead the Spartans to a Rose Bowl victory over USC during his senior season in the 1987-1988 campaign. It was MSU’s first trip to back to Pasadena since the 1965-1966 season.

During his All-American sophomore campaign in 1985, White rushed for 2,066 yards — a single season record at MSU that still stands to this day — and 17 touchdowns. He is the only Spartan to ever cross the 2,000 rushing yards in a single season threshold. He finished his career with 1,082 carries for 4,887 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and 43 touchdowns. He added 37 catches for 265 yards through the air.

White went on to find some success in the pros. The Houston Oilers drafted the running back in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft (No. 22 overall). He finished his NFL career with 4,242 career rushing yards, 30 touchdowns and a Pro Bowl appearance in 1992.

While White may have played for Michigan State before I was born, he was always one of my favorite players to go back and watch old games and highlights of growing up.

The class will officially be inducted during the 62nd annual National Football Foundation Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.

This was White’s ninth nomination. He is the 15th Spartan to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Lorenzo!

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