FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Jan. 15, 2025 – Minnesota offensive lineman Greg Eslinger, Saint John’s wide receiver Blake Elliott and North Dakota/Minnesota Vikings tight end Jim Kleinsasser have been elected to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino.
“We are so proud to have three players with Minnesota connections entering the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame this year,” said Todd Fultz, President of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. “It displays the full history and tradition of excellence that has been established across our football community. It’s a huge day for Blake, Greg, Jim, the University of Minnesota, Saint John’s, North Dakota, and the entire Minnesota football community.”
Below are quick biographies and information for each player:
Minnesota Center Greg Eslinger
Greg Eslinger cemented himself as one of the best players in Minnesota Golden Gophers history. Eslinger, a center from 2002-05, paved the way for Minnesota’s dynamic rushing attacks under head coach Glen Mason. Eslinger, a Bismarck, N.D., native, started all 50 games of his college career.
“This is a great honor for Greg, who is one of the best to ever wear maroon and gold. We are glad he is being honored among the all-time greats,” said Todd Fultz, President of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. “This is a very exciting day for Greg, the University of Minnesota and our entire Minnesota football community.”
With Eslinger in the lineup, Minnesota set single-season offensive records for rushing attempts (683), rushing yards (3,759), rushing yards per game (289.2), rushing touchdowns (46), total season yards (6,430), total yards per game (494.8), total season points (503), average points per game (38.7), season touchdowns (66) and first downs (326).
Eslinger was a two-time consensus First Team All-American selection. In 2005, he won the Outland (nation's best interior lineman) and Rimington (nation's best center) trophies. Eslinger was also named the 2005 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and received the 2006 Big Ten Medal of Honor. Greg was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played for the Broncos, Browns and Texans from 2006-08.
To read a feature story on Eslinger, click here.
Saint John’s WR Blake Elliott
Blake Elliott played wide receiver for Saint John’s from 2000-03. Elliott was a three-time All-American and two-time MIAC Player of the Year. He finished his career with 29 school records and was instrumental in leading Saint John’s to the 2003 Division III National Championship. In the same year, the standout wide receiver received the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy.
Elliott finished his career second all-time across NCAA Divisions in catches (327) and second in NCAA Division III in touchdown receptions (56). He accumulated 369 receptions for 4,826 yards and 63 touchdowns. Elliott also added 744 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 109 carries.
“Any time we get someone into the College Football Hall of Fame it’s a special day for the Minnesota Chapter of National Football Foundation, but seeing Blake join his former college coach John Gagliardi makes it even more special for everyone involved,” said Todd Fultz, the President of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. “We are so happy for Blake, Saint John’s and everyone associated with our state’s football community.”
Elliott will be the second MIAC player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Gustavus Adolphus tackle Calvin Roberts (Class of 2003), who played from 1949 to 1953.
He is also set to join his former college coach John Gagliardi (Class of 2006), a Saint John’s and college football legend, in the College Football Hall of Fame. Elliott was on the 2003 Saint John’s team that secured Gagliardi’s record-breaking 409th career victory.
Elliott will become one of only four former MIAC players or coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Roberts, Gagliardi and Concordia College head coach Jim Christopherson (Class of 2007).
North Dakota and Minnesota Vikings TE Jim Kleinsasser
Tight end Jim Kleinsasser is known as one of the all-time great football players in North Dakota history. Kleinsasser, a two-time First-Team All-American (1997 and 1998) and three-time All-NCC First Team selection, led North Dakota to a four-year record of 32-10. Kleinsasser and North Dakota also made two appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs during his career.
“I think everyone became familiar with Jim during his long career with the Vikings, but his dominance and impact as a small-school player was equally impressive,” said Todd Fultz, President of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. “We are thrilled for Jim and everyone associated with North Dakota football.”
Kleinsasser became the highest draft pick in school history when he was selected in the second round (No. 44 overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Kleinsasser enjoyed a successful 13-year NFL career, spending his entire tenure with the Vikings.
Additional Information:
Of the 5.78 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on Nov. 6, 1869, only 1,111 players and 237 coaches (including the 2025 electees) have been immortalized in the Hall. In other words, only two one-hundredths of a percent (.02%) of those who have played or coached the game have earned this distinction.
The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. They will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2025 season.
To view the full 2025 Hall of Fame Class visit footballfoundation.org
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About the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation:
The Minnesota Chapter of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote amateur football’s ability to develop leadership, sportsmanship, competitive spirit and academic excellence in Minnesota’s young people. The Minnesota Chapter recognizes legendary football icons, college football Hall of Famers and Minnesota’s top high school and college football scholar-athletes. For more information, visit www.nffmn.org, or Facebook (@MNFootballHonors) and Twitter (@NFFMN).
Contact:
Todd Fultz, President - Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation
Phone: (612)-325-5500
Media Contact:
Daniel House, Director of Media Relations and Content
Minnesota Chapter of The National Football Foundation
Email: daniel@nffmn.org