College Football Hall of Fame adds another LSC Player

Former Hog Legend John Randle Elected To College Football Hall of Fame

From the Texas A&M-Kingsville Sports Information Department

Former Javelina John Randle, one of the greatest defensive lineman in both NFL and college football history, was named to The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.

Randle, along with three other players and two coaches will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the Enshrinement Festival, July 18-19, in South Bend, Ind.

He will be the sixth Javelina to be inducted into The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, the most of any college division football program in the country.

Randle will join Gil Steinke (1996), Richard Ritchie (1998), Johnny Bailey (2000), Dwayne Nix (2003) and Darrell Green (2004) as inductees.

Randle, a native of Hearne, Texas, came to Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) in 1988 after two seasons at Trinity Valley Junior College.

A defensive end for the Javelinas, Randle had a spectacular two year career, leading the team to a 20-4 record, a pair of Lone Star Conference titles and two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs, including a spot in the 1988 semifinals.

As a junior in 1998, Randle was a first team AP Little All-America selection, a first team All-Lone Star Conference Pick and was voted the Lone Star Conference Lineman of the Year in 1988. In 10 regular season games he had 37 solo tackles, 21 assisted tackles, one fumble recovery and an amazing 20 quarterback sacks. During the Javelinas’ three playoff games he had two quarterback sacks, a fumble recovery and 12 total tackles. The Javelinas led the Lone Star Conference in rush defense, allowing only 110 yards per game and nine total rushing touchdowns. The Javelinas went 10-3 and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

As a senior in 1989, Randle earned first team All-America recognition from the Football Gazette, was again voted the LSC Lineman of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned first team All-LSC honors. He was also named to the Lone Star Conference Team of the Decade. Randle had 33 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles and 14 quarterback sacks in 10 regular season games. The Javelinas won another Lone Star Conference title, going 7-0 and finished 10-1 overall, falling the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

During his two seasons he played alongside some of the greatest players in Javelina history including Johnny Bailey and Heath Sherman.

After his Javelina career, Randle established himself as one of the greatest interior lineman in NFL history.

Randle played 14 years in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. Named an All-Pro seven times, he recorded double-digit sacks during eight different seasons, including a career-high and league-leading 15.5 sacks in 1997. He retired as the league’s all-time leader in sacks by a defensive tackle (137.5).

Randle was induced into the Division II Football Hall of Fame in December of 2007.