Mike Utley named to the college football Hall of Fame

Offensive lineman Mike Utley is the fourth Washington State player to earn the honor, joining Glen Edwards, Mel Hein and Reuben Mayes.

Edwards, Hein and Utley all played on the offensive line, while Mayes was a running back. Utley was named a first team All-American in 1988, paving the way for WSU’s Aloha Bowl victory over Houston, the program’s first bowl win since 1916.

Utley was named the MVP of that game as the Cougars rushed for 154 yards and passed for 306.

A third-round selection in the 1989 NFL draft, Utley became a starter for the Detroit Lions as a rookie, but suffered from injuries throughout his first two seasons. In his third year, Utley started every game until a back injury suffered against the Rams paralyzed him from the chest down.

He later formed the Mike Utley Foundation to financially support function-restoring treatment for spinal cord injuries and to help educate those who suffer from such injuries about rehabilitative techniques and lifestyles.

Utley is the only former Pac-8/10/12 player in the 2016 Hall of Fame class, although Colorado defensive end Herb Orvis is also a member.