Open Thread # 1,691: Former Chicago Bears on ballot for college football HOF

The College Football Hall of Fame is a thing, and could likely end up being one of two different HOF's that former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher lands in before it's all said and done. Urlacher is one of six former Bears players on the ballot for the 2016 inductees.

Urlacher starred at New Mexico, where he was a consensus first-team All-American selection and finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior in 1999. He led the nation with 178 tackles as a junior in 1998 and then was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year in 1999.

Of course, Urlacher was an instant sensation his rookie season in Chicago, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2000.

The other five Chicago Bears players on the College Football HOF ballot:

- Safety Mark Carrier (USC)

- Linebacker Ron Rivera (Cal)

- Running back Rashaan Salaam (Colorado)

- Defensive back Terry Schmidt (Ball St.)

- Wide receiver Steve Schubert (UMass)

Speaking of future HOF'ers, Brian Urlacher is undoubtedly a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but will he get in on his first year of eligibility? He'll have some stiff competition, including another linebacker-- Ray Lewis-- who retired the same season.

This is your Tuesday Night Open Thread... Have fun!