The Seattle Seahawks could have a few notable names enshrined in college football immortality soon.
On Monday, the National Football Foundation announced the players and coaches up for the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Among these names are three members of the Super Bowl 48 championship team: Percy Harvin, Marshawn Lynch, and Russell Okung. In recognition of their roles in helping the Seahawks to win their first Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2013, let’s look back on how their collegiate careers aided in getting them to where they are now.
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Percy Harvin
Prior to joining Seattle via trade in 2013, Percy Harvin excelled as an all-purpose player during his three seasons with the University of Florida. Following up the program’s national championship victory in 2006, Harvin emerged as one of college football’s most dynamic offensive players when he led the nation in rushing yards per attempt (9.2) in 2007.
That year, Harvin became the first player in Gators history to finish with 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game, recording 11 carries for 113 rushing yards and two TDs and 110 yards receiving on nine receptions against Vanderbilt.
Over his three years with Florida, Harvin won two national titles (2006, 2008), was twice a first-team All-American (2007, 2008), earned two first-team All-SEC nods (2007, 2008), and was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2006.
Marshawn Lynch
Before being traded to the Seahawks midway through the 2010 season, Marshawn Lynch was a breakout star at the University of California. In 2006, Lynch helped the Golden Bears to a 10-3 finish and a share of the Pac-10 title, leading the conference with 1,356 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.
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Lynch played a vital role in Cal’s blowout Holiday Bowl victory over Texas A&M that year, earning 128 yards on 23 plays from scrimmage and two touchdowns for a share of the game’s MVP. At season’s end, Lynch was named a first-team All-American, first-team All-Pac-10, and Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.
Russell Okung
John Schneider’s first-ever draft pick in 2010 (No. 6 overall), Russell Okung was one of the Big 12’s best offensive linemen during his last two seasons at Oklahoma State. Okung started in 47 consecutive games for the Cowboys between 2006 and 2009, which included bowl victories over Alabama and Indiana in his first two years.
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By his senior season in 2009, Okung had become one of the best offensive linemen in college football. That year, Okung earned the Jim Parker Trophy from the Touchdown Club of Columbus as the best offensive lineman and finished as a finalist for the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman.
On top of winning the Jim Parker Trophy, Okung’s time at Oklahoma State was highlighted by a unanimous All-American selection in 2009, being named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year that same season, and earning consecutive first-team All-Big 12 nominations in 2008 and 2009.
In addition to Harvin, Lynch, and Okung, a few other former Seahawks were named to the 2027 College Football HOF ballot, including Chase Coffman, Bobby Engram, Deon Grant, and Sebastian Janikowski. Engram, who spent eight seasons in Seattle from 2001 to 2008, was a three-time All-Big Ten wideout at Penn State, winning the 1994 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the best wide receiver in college football.
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Voting for the 2027 NFF College Football Hall of Fame continues through July 1, with winners to be announced at a later date. If you are interested in participating, visit the NFF website for more information.
Congratulations to everyone on the 2027 ballot!
