Western PA quarterbacks among nominees for National High School Football Hall of Fame

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, September 29, 2025 | 4:35 PM

The ballot for the fourth class of the National High School Football Hall of Fame again will have Western Pennsylvania flavor. Of course, it has its share of quarterbacks.

The 52 nominees for the Class of 2026 include Pittsburgh Steelers greats Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger and Terry Bradshaw; former WPIAL and NFL stars Joe Namath of Beaver Falls, Dan Marino of Central Catholic, Hopewell’s Tony Dorsett, and Pittsburgh’s Johnny Unitas; Jeannette’s Adam Bostick and Dante Wiley; another former Steeler, Ryan Clark, and longtime WTAE sports anchor Andrew Stockey.

“Western Pennsylvania has always been a powerhouse of football talent,” said LaMont “ShowBoat” Robinson, Founder and CEO of the National High School Football Hall of Fame and a Jeannette alum. “… This year’s class reflects the heart, soul, and legacy of the game we love.

“This class reflects the roots and richness of American football. Their legacies began in high school, and we’re here to honor that foundation.”

Others with local ties on the ballot include Jim Kelly of East Brady and Cookie Gilchrist of Har-Brack (now Highlands).

More nominees are Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Tom Brady and Drew Brees; NBA star LeBron James, who was prep standout on the gridiron in Ohio; and former NFL running backs Emmitt Smith and Thurman Thomas.

The 2026 enshrinement ceremony will be next July 11 in Brook Park, Ohio. More than 100 former players, coaches and contributors have joined the hall since 2023.

The finalists will be announced Dec. 3. There are plans to construct a 40,000-square-foot building in Brook Park to house the hall of fame.

Here is the full list of nominees:

Players:

• Jerome Bettis – Mackenzie HS (Detroit, Mich.)
• Adam Bostick – Jeannette HS (Jeannette)
• Brian Bosworth – MacArthur HS (Irving, Texas)
• Tom Brady – Junipero Serra HS (San Mateo, Calif.)
• Terry Bradshaw – Woodlawn HS (Shreveport, La.)
• Drew Brees – Westlake HS (Austin, Texas)
• Ryan Clark – Archbishop Shaw HS (Marrero, La.)
• Maurice Clarett – Warren G. Harding HS (Warren, Ohio)
• Cris Carter – Middletown HS (Middletown, Ohio)
• Randy Crowder – Farrell HS (Farrell, Pa.)
• Channing Crowder – North Springs HS (Sandy Springs, Ga.)
• Tony Dorsett – Hopewell HS (Aliquippa)
• Doug Flutie – Natick HS (Natick, Mass.)
• Charles Follis – Wooster HS (Wooster, Ohio)
• Otto Graham – Waukegan HS (Waukegan, Ill.)
• Cookie Gilchrist – Har-Brack HS (Natrona Heights)
• Guye Goodlow – Renaissance HS (Detroit, Mich.)
• Robert Griffin III – Copperas Cove HS (Copperas Cove, Texas)
• Woody Hayes – Newcomerstown HS (Newcomerstown, Ohio)
• John W. Heisman – Titusville HS (Titusville)
• Michael Irvin – Piper HS (Sunrise, Fla.)
• LeBron James – St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (Akron, Ohio)
• Jason Kelce – Cleveland Heights HS (Cleveland, Ohio)
• Jim Kelly – East Brady HS (East Brady)
• Dan Marino – Central Catholic HS (Pittsburgh)
• Clay Matthews Jr. – New Trier HS (Winnetka, Ill.)
• Terrence Metcalf – Clarksdale HS (Clarksdale, Miss.)
• Joe Namath – Beaver Falls HS (Beaver Falls)
• Cam Newton – Westlake HS (Atlanta, Ga.)
• Ozzie Newsome – Colbert County HS (Leighton, Ala.)
• Greg Pruitt – BC Elmore HS (Houston, Texas)
• Ben Roethlisberger – Findlay HS (Findlay, Ohio)
• Deion Sanders – North Fort Myers HS (Fort Myers, Fla.)
• Barry Sanders – Wichita North HS (Wichita, Kan.)
• Mike Singletary – Evan E. Worthing HS (Houston, Texas)
• Bruce Smith – Booker T. Washington HS (Norfolk, Va.)
• Emmitt Smith – Escambia HS (Pensacola, Fla.)
• Thurman Thomas – Willowridge HS (Houston, Texas)
• Johnny Unitas – St. Justin’s HS (Pittsburgh)
• Dante Wiley – Jeannette HS (Jeannette)

Coaches

• Don Bucci – Cardinal Mooney HS (Youngstown, Ohio)
• Al Fracassa – Brother Rice HS (Bloomfield Hills, Mich)
• Bob Ladouceur – De La Salle HS (Concord, Calif.)
• Lee Tressel – Massillon HS (Massillon, Ohio)
• Joe Vadini – Brecksville HS (Brecksville, Ohio)
• Tommy Reamon Sr. – Newport News HS (Newport News, Va.)

Contributors

• Dr. Ted Ball – Bellevue HS (team physician)
• Andrew Stockey – Simsbury HS (Conn.), WTAE sports anchor
• Ralph Wilson Jr. – NFL Buffalo Bills owner and philanthropist

Media

• Inside High School Sports
• Sports Stars of Tomorrow
• ESPN

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.