Terry Hanratty, the standout quarterback who led the University of Notre Dame to the 1966 National Championship and earned Consensus All-American honors in 1968, has been named to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class. The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced the honor on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Hanratty will be formally inducted during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas on December 9, 2025. With his induction, Hanratty becomes the 56th Fighting Irish player or coach enshrined in the Hall of Fame—the most of any college football program.
As Notre Dame’s starting quarterback from 1966 to 1968, Hanratty threw for over 1,200 yards in each season. By the time he graduated in 1969, he held program records for completions (304), passing yards (4,152), and passing touchdowns (27). He also contributed on the ground, rushing for 586 yards and 16 touchdowns. Hanratty consistently earned national recognition, finishing in the top 10 of Heisman Trophy voting in all three seasons: sixth in 1966, ninth in 1967, and third in 1968.
Notable Performances:
- 1966: In his first career start, Hanratty completed 16 of 24 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns against No. 7 Purdue.
- 1966: Against No. 10 Oklahoma, he went 11-for-17 passing for 129 yards and added a rushing touchdown.
- 1967: Against California, he completed 15 of 20 passes for 208 yards, threw two touchdowns, and rushed for 46 yards with another score.
- 1968: Facing No. 5 Oklahoma, he delivered an 18-for-27 performance, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
A native of Butler, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh, Hanratty was selected by his hometown Steelers in the second round of the 1969 NFL Draft. During his seven seasons in Pittsburgh, he contributed to the team’s Super Bowl victories in 1974 and 1975. Hanratty also played one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976, finishing his NFL career with 2,510 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes.
Hanratty’s Notre Dame legacy continues through his son, Conor, who played as an offensive lineman for the Fighting Irish from 2012 to 2014.