Hall of Fame worthy? Chris McIntosh and Troy Vincent are candidates for the College Football Hall of Fame's 2023 class

Jeff Potrykus
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON – Two of the more dominant players in the history of the Wisconsin football program, both of whom have achieved success off the field, are on the National Football Foundation’s 2023 College Football Hall of Fame ballot:

Offensive tackle Chris McIntosh and defensive back Troy Vincent.

The candidates were announced Monday and the 2023 class will be announced early next year. 

“It is truly an honor for me to have my name in the company of so many tremendous players,” McIntosh, 45, said. “It’s humbling to see the list and read about the accomplishments of my fellow nominees. My inclusion on this ballot is a testament to the great coaches and teammates I had during my career. Without them and the success we achieved together, this would not be possible.”

McIntosh started 50 consecutive games at left tackle (1996-1999) for UW under Barry Alvarez. He helped UW win Big Ten titles in 1998 and 1999 and was the Big Ten offensive lineman of the year and a consensus All-American as a senior in 1999.

UW went a combined 8-8 in Big Ten play and 16-10 overall in McIntosh’s first two seasons. The Badgers then went 7-1 and 11-1 in 1998, capping the season with an upset of UCLA in the Rose Bowl. They finished 7-1 and 10-2 in 1999 and capped that season with a victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl.

UW remains the only Big Ten team to win back-to-back Rose Bowls.

McIntosh was taken No. 22 overall in the 2000 NFL draft by Seattle. Injuries cut his career short, however, and he played only three seasons.

Chris McIntosh played left tackle for Wisconsin from 1996-99.

McIntosh was named UW’s athletic director on June 2, 2021, succeeding his former head coach at UW.

More:5 things to know about University of Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh

Vincent, 51, was an All-American who had the misfortune on playing on UW teams that rarely won.

He played from 1988-91, his first two seasons under Don Morton and his last two under Alvarez.

UW went 4-28 in Big Ten play and 9-35 overall in Vincent’s four seasons. He was part of the turnaround under Alvarez, which was realized in 1993 with a share of the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth.

The 1991 team in Vincent's senior season finished just 2-6 in the league and 5-6 overall. However, that was the first UW team to win more than one Big Ten game since 1986 and at least five games overall since 1985.

Troy Vincent played defensive back for the Badgers from 1988-91.

Despite the lack of team success, Vincent was a first-team All-American in 1991 and runner-up for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the top defensive back in the nation. He was also named the 1991 Big Ten co-defensive player of the year.

Vincent left UW as the program's leader in punt return yards (773) and passes defended (31). He was inducted into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.

Vincent was selected No. 7 overall in the 1992 NFL draft by Miami and played 14 seasons in the NFL. He served as the president of the NFLPA during his playing career and began his career in the NFL office in 2010. He moved into his current role as Executive Vice President of Football Operations in 2014.

More:NFL exec Troy Vincent hopes Rooney Rule becomes unnecessary

"As a Wisconsin alumnus, it’s an honor to be a nominee for the College Football Hall of Fame,” Vincent said. “This comes with great appreciation and gratitude to be considered among these extraordinary candidates and to be a representative of Badger Nation on the ballot. On, Wisconsin!”