Jason Hanson could be next Cougar in College Football Hall of Fame

WSU could make it two years in a row with an alumni inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Jason Hanson, who will be on the 2017 ballot, will look to join 2016 inductee Mike Utley, and six other Cougs in the hall.

Hanson kicked for the Cougs from 1988-1992, and was as much of a stud as a kicker can be. He was named a freshman All-American, and then a first team All-American twice. Hanson was an all-conference player every year of his college career. He was both consistent, and had a very strong leg. As a Coug Hanson hit more than 50 percent of his attempts from more than 50 yards, and as a senior made a 62 yard field goal against UNLV. Such a long boot that it was, at the time, the longest in NCAA history without a tee.

Professionally Hanson enjoyed even more success after being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 2nd round(!) of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played for 21 season in Detroit before retiring in 2013 as the only player in NFL history to score more than 2,000 points with the same franchise.

Hanson is one of 74 players from the FBS that will be on the 2017 ballot, including Peyton Manning and Matt Leinart. Votes will be cast by June 20, but the 2017 class will not be announced until Jan. 6, 2017. There were 14 players inducted in the class of 2016.

Former WSU coaches and players in the hall are: William Dietz, Glen Edwards, Forest Evashevski, Mel Hein, Orin "Babe" Hollingberry. Rueben Mayes, and Utley.