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Steve Slaton named to College Football HOF

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University will welcome its 12th inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame later this year, as running back Steve Slaton will join that exclusive group.

Slaton, who starred for the Mountaineers from 2005-07, was announced as part of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class on Wednesday. That group will officially be inducted during the annual National Football Foundation Awards dinner Dec. 9 in Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled to announce the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Mississippi Archie Manning said in a news release. “Each of these legends ranks among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to adding their incredible accomplishments to those permanently enshrined in the Hall of Fame.”

Slaton, a native of Levittown, Pennsylvania, was named a unanimous first-team All-American in 2006 after setting WVU’s single season rushing record with 1,744 yards and tying for second in team history with 18 rushing touchdowns. He accumulated 2,104 all-purpose yards in that season, where he finished fourth in Heisman voting and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.

Slaton finished his college career as WVU’s career leader in total touchdowns (55), rushing touchdowns (50), and points scored by a non-kicker (330). He is fifth all-time in career rushing yards (3,923).

With Slaton in the backfield, WVU enjoyed its winningest three-year span in program history. The Mountaineers went 33-5, won the 2006 Sugar, 2007 Gator and 2008 Fiesta bowls, and finished in the national top 10 in all three of those seasons. That span included Big East conference titles in 2005 and 2007.

The Houston Texans drafted Slaton in the third round in 2008 and he played with the team for four years, spent a season with the Miami Dolphins and another season with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. After retiring from football, he became a personal chef and kitchen consultant in Houston.He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Slaton is the seventh WVU player to reach the College Football Hall of Fame, joining tackle Bruce Bosley (1952-55), quarterback Major Harris (1987-89), lineman Sam Huff (1952-55), fullback Ira Errett “Rat” Rodgers (1915-17,19), tackle Joe Stydahar (1933-35) and linebacker Darryl Talley (1979-82). Five former WVU head coaches also are College Football Hall of Famers: Bobby Bowden (1970-75), Frank Cignetti (1976-79), Alfred “Greasy” Neale (1931-33), Don Nehlen (1980-2000) and Clarence “Doc” Spears (1921-24).

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