Haloti Ngata spent his Oregon football career imposing his will in the trenches, efforts that have now led him to the doorstep of hall of fame enshrinement.
The former All-American defensive tackle for the Ducks, who went on to be a first-round NFL draft pick and an NFL All-Pro player with the Baltimore Ravens, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
Ngata is one of 18 players and four coaches in the class of 2025 who will be inducted during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 at Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Ngata is the seventh Oregon player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining quarterback Norm Van Brocklin, who was inducted in 1966, running back John Kitzmiller (1969), tackle John Beckett (1972), running back Mel Renfro (1986), running back Ahmad Rashad (2007) and running back LaMichael James (2023).
Former Oregon coaches Len Casanova (1977) and Mike Bellotti (2014) are also Hall of Fame inductees.
“Haloti Ngata’s selection to the College Football Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of his tremendous impact on college football and the University of Oregon football program,” Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said. “During his time here, Haloti was a dominant force on the field, a leader in the locker room, and a role model for all.
“An outstanding human being who has always represented Oregon in a first-class manner, he truly defines what it means to be an all-American, and as a five-time Pro Bowler, he is also one of the most accomplished NFL players in Oregon history. Haloti is a true Duck legend, and we are proud to celebrate him, his incredible legacy, and this honor.”
Ngata’s three-year playing career at Oregon spanned from 2002-05. He didn’t play in 2003 due to injury, but in 35 career games he finished with 151 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and seven blocked kicks.
He was named a freshman All-American in 2002 after recording 44 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three blocked kicks.
Ngata was a consensus first-team all-America in 2005 and was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy given to the nation’s top interior lineman, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation’s top defensive player. That same season he became the first Oregon player to be named the Pac-12 defensive player of the year after making 61 tackles, 9.0 tackles, 3.0 sacks and two blocked kicks.
That following spring he was the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft. He played 13 seasons in the NFL and won Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 with the Ravens. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times and earned first-team All-Pro honors twice and second-team All-Pro honors three times.
Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @chansen_RG
