Miami Hurricanes legend to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
Darrin Smith continues to make an impact on and off the field
MIAMI, Dec. 2, 2025—Miami Hurricanes legend and former NFL linebacker Darrin Smith will be inducted into the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame next week in Las Vegas at the 67th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner. Smith will be joined by 17 other First-Team All-America players and four standout coaches in the 2025 class, as announced earlier this year by the National Football Foundation. Smith, heralded as one of the greatest linebackers to play for Miami, helped the Hurricanes claim two national championships (1989 and 1991), and led the team to a 44-4 record during his four seasons in south Florida. In 1993, he was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and would ultimately win two Superbowls with Dallas. Smith retired from the NFL in 2004, enjoying stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints along the way.
In addition to his storied career on the field, Smith takes pride in serving his community, helping student athletes find meaning and connection beyond sport. He currently serves as a chaplain for Athletes in Action at Florida Memorial University. He also founded Project 59, a youth foundation that assists children with reading comprehension and development in academics.
The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame induction will take place during the 67th National
Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 9, 2025, at the Bellagio Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas. For more information about the College Football Hall of Fame induction, please visit FootballFoundation.org.
About Athletes in Action
Athletes in Action is an international sports organization focused on empowering athletes and coaches to be Christ-centered leaders and influencers on and off the field. Since 1966, Athletes in Action has been helping competitors connect with Jesus, join a community where they are valued beyond their success and use their platform to make a difference in the world. The Athletes in Action Sports Complex and Retreat Center in Ohio, including the state-of-the-art John Wooden Family Fieldhouse, hosts more than 200,000 visitors each year through practices, games, retreats, team building and special events.
Athletes in Action is the sports ministry of Cru, an interdenominational Christian evangelism and discipleship ministry committed to giving people everywhere the opportunity to know and experience God's love and plan for their lives.
