Cotton Bowl Classic Honors Iron Bowl Icons in 2025 Hall of Fame Induction
The Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame will welcome eight new members to its ranks on Friday, headlined by two Alabama football titans: Auburn’s Bo Jackson and Alabama’s DeMeco Ryans.
The 2025 class bridges the Iron Bowl rivalry, celebrating a pair of homegrown stars whose college careers culminated in iconic Cotton Bowl performances.
Bo Jackson’s Heisman Finale
Jackson, the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner, closed his Auburn tenure with a gutsy showing in the 1986 Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M. Despite the Tigers’ 36-16 loss, the McAdory High (McCalla) legend rushed for 129 yards, scored a touchdown, and electrified fans with a 73-yard receiving score—a testament to the explosive athleticism that defined his historic career.
DeMeco Ryans’ Defensive Masterclass
Nearly two decades later, Jess Lanier High (Bessemer) alum DeMeco Ryans anchored Alabama’s top-ranked defense in the 2006 Cotton Bowl. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year stifled Texas Tech in a 13-10 victory, earning Defensive MVP honors and cementing his legacy as one of the Crimson Tide’s most dominant linebackers.
A Shared Alabama Legacy
Though their college allegiances divided them, Jackson and Ryans share deep roots in Alabama’s football culture. Their inductions highlight the Cotton Bowl’s role in showcasing the state’s talent, from high school standouts to national stage heroes.
Class of 2025 Highlights
The 14th induction class also includes:
– Notre Dame fullback Jerome Bettis
– Texas linebacker Randy Braband
– Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe
– Nebraska running back Tony Davis
– Cotton Bowl ambassador Fin Ewing III
– CBAA historian Charlie Fiss
Celebrating Gridiron History
The ceremony honors athletes and contributors who shaped the Cotton Bowl’s storied legacy. For Jackson and Ryans, the recognition adds another accolade to careers that began on Alabama soil and soared under the bright lights of one of college football’s most iconic bowl games.
