Landry plans senior moment at BC
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Boston College defensive end Harold Landry had bad news yesterday for the quarterbacks in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The most prolific pass rusher off the edge in Division 1 college football, announced he will return to The Heights to play his senior season rather than enter the 2017 NFL draft.
“It was important for me to finish what I started at Boston College — to prove that I have the talent and drive to be a first-round pick and earn my degree at one of the nation’s premier academic institutions,” said Landry.
“Our team has a special chemistry and I’m so excited to know I will have one more season with my teammates.”
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Landry was projected to be a low second-round pick in early mock drafts, most likely as an outside linebacker.
The All-American finished with a FBS-best and schoolrecord 16.5 sacks. He led the nation with seven forced fumbles en route to Walter Camp and Associated Press All-America honors.
Hall calls for Ruth
Former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning and his Southeastern Conference nemesis, former Florida coach Steve Spurrier, will go into the College Football Hall of Fame together.
The rest of the new Hall of Fame class of 13 players and coaches announced yesterday includes former Boston College standout defensive tackle Mike Ruth, Southern California Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk and Danny Ford, who coached Clemson to its 1981 national championship.
The inductees included 10 first-team All-America players and three standout coaches who were selected from the national ballot of 75 All-America players and six elite coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and the 95 players and 29 coaches from the divisional ranks.
“There is more honor, courage, toughness and teamwork displayed in one football game than one might find in an entire year off the field,” said Ruth. “It reminds us all of what’s best in life and in America. To be honored by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame for my part as a nose tackle from Boston College is the single greatest moment in my life.”
Ruth is the 10th former Boston College player or coach enshrined in the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame. He joins a select class of Eagles in the College Hall of Fame including Doug Flutie, Mike Holovak, George Kerr, Gene Goodreault, Chester S. Gladchuk Sr. and Charlie O’Rourke along with former coaches Frank Cavanaugh, Gil Dobie and Frank Leahy.
Manning started for four seasons at Tennessee and set school records for yards passing (11,201) and touchdown passes (89). He led the Volunteers to four consecutive bowl games and was Heisman Trophy runner-up as a senior in 1997.
But Manning never did beat Spurrier’s Gators, going 0-3. Spurrier built Florida into an SEC powerhouse from 1990-2001, winning six conference titles and the school’s first national championship in 1996.
Also to be inducted in December are: Notre Dame linebacker Bob Crable, Michigan State wide receiver Kirk Gibson, Texas offensive tackle Bob McKay, Texas A&M linebacker Dat Nguyen, Georgia Southern running back Adrian Peterson, New Mexico defensive back Brian Urlacher and Mount Union coach Larry Kehres, who won 11 Division 3 national championships from 1986-2012.
Ferentz promotes son
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz named offensive line coach and son Brian Ferentz as his new offensive coordinator, less than a week after Greg Davis announced his retirement. Brian Ferentz played for the Hawkeyes before getting into coaching. He later spent four seasons in various roles on the coaching staff of the Patriots, serving as a tight ends coach in 2010-11. . . .
Air Force agreed to a contract extension with coach Troy Calhoun through the 2021 season. . . .
Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre received a contract extension through the 2021 season. . . .
Ohio State All-American Curtis Samuel, a hybrid running back/receiver, will enter the NFL draft. Also, quarterback Mitch Trubisky is leaving North Carolina to enter the NFL draft.