Fresno State Athletics
Trio of 'Dogs named Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees
9/16/2020 12:00:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. – Former Fresno State wide receiver Henry Ellard, offensive lineman Logan Mankins and fullback Lorenzo Neal were named Modern-Era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021 on Wednesday. Mankins was one of 14 first-year eligible players revealed.
Mankins was a first-round draft choice by the New England Patriots out of Fresno State in the 2005 NFL Draft. After missing the 2003 season to injury, he roared back in 2004 to stamp himself as one of the best linemen in Fresno State history during his stellar career. The 2004 first-team All-WAC selection started 40 games for the Bulldogs, which got started as a first-year player in 2001 protecting future No. 1 pick David Carr. That 2001 group became the first in NCAA history to produce a 4,000 passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers. The left tackle from Mariposa High School earned first-team Freshman All-America honors that season.
Mankins spent his first nine professional seasons with New England, going to a pair of Super Bowls, then was traded to Tampa Bay in 2014 where he played two more seasons. Mankins durability was one of his strongest traits, playing in 161 of a possible 176 games during his career. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, and named first-team All-Pro in 2010 and second-team All-Pro five times (2007, 2009, 2011-13).
In addition to Mankins as a first-year nominee, he is joined by quarterback Peyton Manning; running back Steven Jackson; wide receivers Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker and Roddy White; tight end Heath Miller; offensive linemen D'Brickashaw Ferguson; defensive linemen Jared Allen, Justin Tuck and Kevin Williams; linebacker Jerod Mayo; and defensive backs Charles Tillman and Charles Woodson.
Of those returning to the ballot, Ellard (1979-82) nearly broke every Fresno State pass receiving record in addition to setting a then-NCAA record with 1,510 receiving yards that season. Ellard was a second-round draft pick and spent 16 seasons in the NFL. He played for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins, and one season with the New England Patriots.
Lorenzo Neal (1990-92) remains as the eighth-leading rusher in school history to this day with 2,405 yards in his Bulldog career. He went on to play for 17 seasons in the NFL with seven different teams but was most arguably known for his stint with the San Diego Chargers sharing a backfield with LaDainian Tomlinson.
The 2021 roster of nominees consists of 65 offensive players, 49 defensive players and 16 special teams players (full list). The list of Modern-Era nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 finalists in January.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021 will be enshrined Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021 in Canton as part of the 2021 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.
For more information, visit www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement.
FAN VOTE
The annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Vote presented by Ford launched concurrently with the ballot announcement. Fans can now start voting as many times as they wish at www.profootballhof.com/fanvote to predict the five Modern-Era players who will be elected to the Hall of Fame as part of the special Centennial Class of 2021.
Fans who vote automatically become eligible for many sweepstakes prizes, including a Grand Prize trip for two (2) to the 2021 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls in Canton.
This marks the 11th straight year that Ford, the Official Automobile of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has invited fans to predict the outcome of the annual Hall of Fame class. More than 25 million votes have been cast in the past decade.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Mankins was a first-round draft choice by the New England Patriots out of Fresno State in the 2005 NFL Draft. After missing the 2003 season to injury, he roared back in 2004 to stamp himself as one of the best linemen in Fresno State history during his stellar career. The 2004 first-team All-WAC selection started 40 games for the Bulldogs, which got started as a first-year player in 2001 protecting future No. 1 pick David Carr. That 2001 group became the first in NCAA history to produce a 4,000 passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers. The left tackle from Mariposa High School earned first-team Freshman All-America honors that season.
Mankins spent his first nine professional seasons with New England, going to a pair of Super Bowls, then was traded to Tampa Bay in 2014 where he played two more seasons. Mankins durability was one of his strongest traits, playing in 161 of a possible 176 games during his career. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, and named first-team All-Pro in 2010 and second-team All-Pro five times (2007, 2009, 2011-13).
In addition to Mankins as a first-year nominee, he is joined by quarterback Peyton Manning; running back Steven Jackson; wide receivers Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker and Roddy White; tight end Heath Miller; offensive linemen D'Brickashaw Ferguson; defensive linemen Jared Allen, Justin Tuck and Kevin Williams; linebacker Jerod Mayo; and defensive backs Charles Tillman and Charles Woodson.
Of those returning to the ballot, Ellard (1979-82) nearly broke every Fresno State pass receiving record in addition to setting a then-NCAA record with 1,510 receiving yards that season. Ellard was a second-round draft pick and spent 16 seasons in the NFL. He played for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins, and one season with the New England Patriots.
Lorenzo Neal (1990-92) remains as the eighth-leading rusher in school history to this day with 2,405 yards in his Bulldog career. He went on to play for 17 seasons in the NFL with seven different teams but was most arguably known for his stint with the San Diego Chargers sharing a backfield with LaDainian Tomlinson.
The 2021 roster of nominees consists of 65 offensive players, 49 defensive players and 16 special teams players (full list). The list of Modern-Era nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 finalists in January.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021 will be enshrined Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021 in Canton as part of the 2021 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.
For more information, visit www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement.
FAN VOTE
The annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Vote presented by Ford launched concurrently with the ballot announcement. Fans can now start voting as many times as they wish at www.profootballhof.com/fanvote to predict the five Modern-Era players who will be elected to the Hall of Fame as part of the special Centennial Class of 2021.
Fans who vote automatically become eligible for many sweepstakes prizes, including a Grand Prize trip for two (2) to the 2021 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls in Canton.
This marks the 11th straight year that Ford, the Official Automobile of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has invited fans to predict the outcome of the annual Hall of Fame class. More than 25 million votes have been cast in the past decade.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
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