A dual-sport athlete from North Carolina and a standout quarterback from Appalachian State University have been selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

On December 10, 2024, at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, two notable athletes from North Carolina will be inducted into the hall of fame – Julius Peppers, a native of Wilson and renowned two-sport player, and Armanti Edwards, the quarterback who led the Mountaineers to a shocking victory.

From 1999 to 2001, Peppers was a defensive end for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also joined the basketball team as a walk-on and had an average of 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds. In 2000, he achieved a nation-leading 15 sacks and set a school record with 24 tackles for loss. Peppers was recognized as the top defensive player in the nation with the Bednarik Award and the top lineman with the Lombardi Award in 2001.

He chose to remain at home during the 2002 NFL Draft when he was selected second overall by the Carolina Panthers. He went on to have a successful 17-year career in the NFL, playing for the Panthers, Bears, and Packers.

In 2024, Peppers is among the top 15 contenders for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The final inductees for the Class of 2024 will be revealed on February 8th.

From 2006 to 2009, Armanti Edwards was the quarterback for Appalachian State. During this time, he led the team to two FCS national championships and a monumental upset of No. 5 Michigan with a score of 34-32 in the first game of the 2007 season in Ann Arbor.

In 2010, Edwards was also selected by the Panthers and spent four seasons in the NFL, playing for both Carolina and Cleveland.

The 2024 inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame.

PLAYERS:

Justin Blackmon was a wide receiver at Oklahoma State from 2009 to 2011.

TB, UCLA (1951-53) – Paul Cameron

Tim Couch, a quarterback from the University of Kentucky, played from 1996-1998.

Warrick Dunn was a running back for Florida State from 1993-1996.

Quarterback Armanti Edwards attended Appalachian State from 2006 to 2009.

Deon Figures was a cornerback who played for the University of Colorado from 1988 to 1992, with a brief break in 1990.

Pittsburgh’s wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, played for the team from 2002-2003.

Toby Gerhart, a running back from Stanford University, played from 2006 to 2009.

Dan Hampton played as a defensive tackle for the University of Arkansas from 1975 to 1978.

Steve Hutchinson was a guard for the University of Michigan from 1997 to 2000.

Antonio Langham, a cornerback for the University of Alabama from 1990-1993.

Randy Moss was a wide receiver for Marshall from 1996 to 1997.

Julius Peppers was a defensive end for the University of North Carolina from 1999 to 2001.

Paul Posluszny is a linebacker who played for Penn State from 2003 to 2006.

Dewey Selmon played for the University of Oklahoma from 1972 to 1975.

Alex Smith was a quarterback for the University of Utah from 2002 to 2004.

Kevin Smith – CB, Texas A&M (1988-91)

Chris Ward played as an offensive tackle for Ohio State from 1974 to 1977.

Running back Danny Woodhead attended Chadron State in Nebraska from 2004-2007.

COACHES:

Mark Dantonio has a record of 132 wins and 74 losses, with a winning percentage of 64.1%. He coached at Cincinnati from 2004 to 2006 and at Michigan State from 2007 to 2019.

Danny Hale – 213-69-1 (75.4%): West Chester [PA] (1984-88), Bloomsburg [PA] (1993-2012)

Frank Solich – 173-101-0: Nebraska (1998-2003), Ohio (2005-2020)

Source: wralsportsfan.com