Tim Couch Deserves to be in College Football Hall of Fame

Tim Couch, center, with SEC Network's Tom Hart during a UK football game. (ESPN Photo)

There’s no reason for Tim Couch not to be in the College Football Hall of Fame and hopefully those voting of the 2024 induction class will finally agree.

The former University of Kentucky quarterback had a legendary career at UK. His numbers were staggering after coach Hal Mumme arrived and turned him loose in the Air Raid offense.

But voters also need to remember that he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. Not that it should matter, but voters might also want to note he was inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National High School Hall of Fame in 2021  based on what he did at Leslie County High School.

“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot considering more than 5.62 million people have played college football and only 1,074 players have been inducted,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of about 1,500 individuals who are even eligible.

“Being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played the game, and we look forward to announcing the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class early next year.”

Couch is one of 78 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks  nominated for this honor.

Couch’s 1998 season was historic and created such a buzz at UK when the Cats got to also play in the Outback Bowl — UK’s first New Year’s Day bowl game in 47 years.  Not only was he a first-team All-American but he was the CONSENSUS Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.

Couch completed 400 of 553 passes for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns in 1998 and led the nation in pass completions. He ranked second in completion percentage, passing yardage and touchdown passes, and fourth in total offense.

He was fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting and was a finalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award in 1997 and 1998.

His sophomore season was Mumme’s first year at UK and Couch completed 363 of 547 passes completed for 3,884 yards and 37 touchdowns while leading the nation in pass attempts, completions, yardage, and completion percentage.  He was ninth in the Heisman voting.

Couch almost transferred after his freshman season when they head coach Bill Curry even had him running the option. However, Mumme’s arrival with his innovative offense was just what Couch needed.

Couch completed 795 passes on 1,184 attempts for 8,435 yards and 74 touchdowns in his career and when he left UK he had seven NCAA records, 14 SEC records and 26 school records.

The announcement of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2024, with specific details to be announced in the future.