The CU Buffs now have a Hall of Fame dozen.
Former CU defensive back Chris Hudson was named to the College Football Hall of Fame‘s Class of 2026 on Wednesday, becoming the 12th Buff to join the Hall.
The 1994 Jim Thorpe Award winner as an All-American cornerback and team captain, Hudson was a pillar on the Buffs’ 11-1 team that season that won the Fiesta Bowl. Opposing quarterbacks were hesitant to throw his way, and Hudson allowed only five completions all season (no touchdowns) in 186 snaps of man coverage with three interceptions, six passes defensed and 37 tackles.
“It’s amazing and you’re not sure what to think until it really sinks in,” Hudson said in a statement. “It means so much to be a part of the Hall of Fame, but knowing that I played for my teammates and never for myself. I always wanted to do my best to put us in position to win and was proud to be a team player first and foremost. …
“I look at this as a team honor, as this could not have earned this without them.”
Hudson is one of only seven three-time, first-team all-conference players in program history, as Hudson was first-team All-Big Eight at cornerback as a sophomore and senior, and also earned that distinction as a free safety as a junior. His 15 career interceptions remain the second-most in program history.
He was inducted into CU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016, and played most of his Thorpe Award season with a nagging turf toe injury that earned him the team’s Hang Tough Award, which was presented to the player who overcame the most adversity.
Hudson is one of 18 players and four coaches selected for the Hall’s 2026 Class, a list that includes Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Syracuse receiver/returner Marvin Harrison, Alabama running back Mark Ingram, Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman, Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and longtime TCU coach Gary Patterson.
The 2026 class will be officially inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas.
The other Buffs already enshrined in the Hall are Byron “Whizzer” White (inducted in 1952), Joe Romig (1984), Dick Anderson (1993), Bobby Anderson (2006), Alfred Williams (2010), John Wooten (2012), coach Bill McCartney (2013), Herb Orvis (2016), Michael Westbrook (2020), Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam (2022) and Deon Figures (2024).
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