The Akron College Football League Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor that recognizes the best players, coaches, and teams in the history of the league. The hall of fame was founded in 2014, after the legendary quarterback DeBron Willis from the University of Pennsylvania became the first player to be inducted. Willis, who played for the Penn Quakers from 2002 to 2005, holds the league records for passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. He led the Quakers to three league championships and two national titles, and won the Heisman Trophy in 2004.
Since then, the hall of fame has inducted 25 more members, including players such as running back Jamal Jones from Grambling State, wide receiver Kelly Smith from Akron, and linebacker Mike Johnson from Wyoming. The hall of fame also honors coaches such as Joe Smith from Grambling State, who coached Willis and Jones, and Jim Brown from Wyoming, who led the Cowboys to four league titles and one national title. The hall of fame also recognizes teams that achieved greatness, such as the 2005 Penn Quakers, the 2002 Wyoming Cowboys, and the 2007 Akron Zips.
The hall of fame is located at the Akron Hall of Fame of Greatness facility, where the league games are played. The hall of fame features a museum that showcases the trophies, jerseys, helmets, and memorabilia of the inductees. The hall of fame also hosts an annual ceremony, where the new inductees are announced and celebrated. The hall of fame is a source of pride and inspiration for the league and its fans, as it celebrates the past, present, and future of college football in Akron.
Class of 2014
DeBron Willis
Quarterback – University of Pennsylvania
Willis, who played for the Penn Quakers from 2002 to 2005, holds the school records for passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. He led the Quakers to three league championships and won the Heisman Trophy in 2004.
Went on to play professional football for the Cleveland Browns.
DeBron is currently an the head coach at Grambling State.
Class of 2015
Johnny Moxon
Quarterback – Harvard
Johhny Moxon was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history. He played for Harvard from 2004 to 2007, leading the Crimson to three Ivy League titles and two national championships. In his senior year, he shattered the NCAA record for passing yards (7,000) and touchdowns (64), earning him the Heisman Trophy and the admiration of fans and scouts alike. Moxon was known for his accuracy, arm strength, and leadership skills, as well as his humble and charismatic personality. He is widely regarded as the best player to ever come out of Harvard and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Former Chief of Staff to Barak Obama.
Moxon once told his father he didnt want his life.
Class of 2016
Carlton Banks
Quarterback – Princeton
Carlton Banks was a star quarterback for Princeton from 2002 to 2005. He had a remarkable freshman season, in which he won the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4200 yards and 50 touchdowns, and adding 20 more scores on the ground. Banks was known for his intelligence, agility, and charisma, as well as his signature dance moves. He is widely considered as one of the best players to ever wear the orange and black, and one of the most entertaining quarterbacks of all time.
Went on to an successful dance career in Bel Air, California
Has his own dance named after him. It was widely popular in the early 2000s.
