Majors, Naumoff, Gault are finalists

Former University of Tennessee standouts Willie Gault, Paul Naumoff and Bobby Majors are eligible for election to the College Football Hall of Fame.

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame released the ballot Tuesday listing 75 players and eight coaches.

Gault was a star receiver for the Vols from 1979-82. He was a First Team All-America in 1982. He set six conference and 12 school punt/kickoff return records. Gault also tied the NCAA record for most touchdowns by kick return in a single season (3) in 1980.

Naumoff, a linebacker from 1964-66, was named First Team All-America and All-SEC in 1966.

Majors, was a defensive back from 1969-71 and was unanimous First Team All-America in 1971. He holds school records for punt returns in a career (117 for 1163 yards, 4 TDs) and season (42 for 457 yards, 2 TDs).

Against Penn State in 1971, Majors returned two punts for 82 yards - one for a touchdown - and two kickoffs for 113 yards.

John Cooper, who grew up in Heiskell and attended Powell High School, is again a finalist among coaches.

Cooper was a coach at Tulsa (1977-84), Arizona State (1985-87) and Ohio State (1988-2000) and led his teams to at least a share of nine conference championships and 14 bowl-game appearances, including two Rose Bowls.

He led Ohio State to an Top 25 finish in 12 of 13 seasons and coached 21 First Team All-Americas.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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