The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame just dropped some big news: former University of Georgia running back Garrison Hearst is headed to the College Football Hall of Fame. He’ll be officially inducted at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas, set for December 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino.
Hearst’s induction gets more than just a dinner, though. The NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, presented by Fidelity Investments, will honor him at the University of Georgia during the 2026 season. His name and story will be permanently displayed at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Each inductee gets a custom ring from Jostens, too—which, honestly, is a pretty nice touch.
Garrison Hearst’s Record-Breaking College Career
Garrison Hearst made a serious impact on SEC football during his years at Georgia. In 1992, he broke records set by huge names like Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson.
As a consensus All-America tailback, Hearst averaged 6.8 yards per carry, toppling Jackson’s old SEC mark of 6.4. He also set new conference records for single-season points scored (126), total touchdowns (21), and rushing touchdowns (19), leaving Walker’s numbers in the dust.
Accolades and Achievements
That 1992 season was a wild ride for Hearst. He took home the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s best junior or senior running back.
He led the country in touchdowns (21) and averaged 11.5 points per game. Nationally, he ranked second in rushing average (140.6 yards per game) and fourth in all-purpose running (173.6 yards per game).
His versatility really showed—he caught 22 passes for 324 yards, making him second-best on the Bulldogs in receiving that year. Hearst’s efforts earned him third place in Heisman voting and SEC Player of the Year honors from the Nashville Banner.
Georgia finished 10-2, won the Citrus Bowl over Ohio State, and landed at number eight in the final national rankings. ESPN even gave him the first-ever “ESPY” for college football’s top player in 1992, which is kind of cool when you think about it.
Memorable Moments and Statistics
One of Hearst’s biggest moments came in the Florida Citrus Bowl. He racked up 163 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State, grabbing MVP honors.
That game really capped off a college career loaded with highlights and records. Hearst’s impact on Georgia football is still talked about.
Career Statistics
Here’s a quick look at Hearst’s numbers at Georgia:
- Rushing Yards: 3,232 (fifth all-time at Georgia)
- All-Purpose Yards: 3,834 (sixth in school history)
- 100-Yard Rushing Games: 16 (fourth all-time)
- Total Touchdowns: 35 (sixth in Georgia history)
Transition to the NFL
After college, Hearst went third overall in the 1993 NFL Draft. He started with the Arizona Cardinals and wasted no time showing what he could do.
By his third season, Hearst rushed for 1,070 yards and earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He had a short run with the Bengals before joining the San Francisco 49ers.
Success with the San Francisco 49ers
Hearst’s first year in San Francisco was a breath of fresh air for the team—he rushed for 1,019 yards and four touchdowns, becoming their first 1,000-yard rusher in five years.
In 1998, he set a franchise record with 1,570 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. That year, he also broke the 49ers’ record for total yards in a season, piling up 2,105.
Overcoming Adversity
But then came a brutal setback. Hearst injured his ankle during the 1998 NFL Playoffs, and complications from surgery kept him sidelined for two years.
Still, he clawed his way back. In 2001, Hearst rushed for 1,206 yards and snagged another NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
His return helped the 49ers win 12 games that season—a huge turnaround compared to the two seasons without him.
Later Career and Retirement
Hearst stuck with the 49ers for two more seasons, rushing for 972 yards in 2002 and 768 in 2003. He wrapped up his NFL career in 2004 as a third-down specialist for the Denver Broncos.
All told, Hearst finished with 7,966 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in the NFL, plus 229 catches for 2,065 yards and nine touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 2001, which seems fitting for a career that was anything but boring.
Legacy and Honors
Garrison Hearst’s contributions to football have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
He was also named one of the annual SEC Legends in 2006. His election to the College Football Hall of Fame feels like a fitting tribute for someone who’s left such a mark on both college and professional football.
For more details on Garrison Hearst’s induction and his career, you can check out the full announcement on the official Georgia Bulldogs website.
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