Three former Notre Dame stars are up for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame's class of 2017, vying to join the 51 former Irish players and coaches enshrined in the Atlanta-based museum.
Linebacker Bob Crable (1979-1981), receiver/returner Raghib "Rocket" Ismail (1988-1990) and offensive lineman Aaron Taylor (1990-1993) are among 205 former FBS/divisional players and coaches on the 2017 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, which was released Wednesday. For a player to be nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame, he must have been named a first-team All American and be at least 10 full seasons removed from his last college season.
This is Crable's seventh year on the ballot and fifth in a row (he was first nominated in 2007). Ismail has now appeared on the ballot six straight years (2012-2017) while Taylor is making his second appearance (2013, 2017).
Former Notre Dame split end Tom Gatewood was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in January. He was one of five former Notre Damers to be inducted in the last decade, joining tight end Dave Casper, wide receiver Tim Brown, defensive tackle Chris Zorich and coach Lou Holtz.