Three former Texas high school football standouts were recently enshrined in this year’s College Football Hall of Fame. Since 1951, the Hall has immortalized players and coaches of college football voted first-team All-American by the media. The Hall of Fame attracts around 250,000 visitors yearly and is located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Michael Bishop (QB, Willis)
A two-year starter at Willis, Bishop averaged 221.2 yards per game as a senior. Additionally, he excelled in high school baseball and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft.
After a stint at Brenham’s Blinn Junior College and a NJCAA National Championship victory, Bishop transferred to Kansas State. Throughout his senior season, he lost only three total contests and finished second in the 1998 Heisman Trophy behind Ricky Williams.
Derrick Johnson (LB, Waco)
While attending Waco High School, Johnson was a triple threat in football, track, and basketball. As the team’s star senior linebacker, Johnson tallied 170 tackles, 21 stops for loss, six sacks, five forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
At the University of Texas, he established himself as one of the best defensive players in Burnt Orange history. The former Nagurski and Butkus winner is now the 25th Longhorn to be honored.
LaMichael James (RB, Liberty-Eylau)
James attended Liberty-Eylau in Texarkana, starting at running back as a sophomore. Over three years of high school, James totaled 4,286 yards and 50 touchdowns, along with nearly 1,000 yards receiving.
In his sophomore season with the Oregon Ducks, James led the country in both rushing yards (1,682) and touchdowns (22); his efforts earned him a Heisman nomination. In his junior year, James won the Pac-12 Championship Game MVP with three rushing touchdowns.
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