Penn State's 1994 hero Kerry Collins elected to College Football Hall of Fame

The quarterback who led Penn State to its last undefeated season is now in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Kerry Collins was announced Monday as part of the 2018 class of inductees — the 25th player or coach in Penn State history to be so honored. Others in this year's hall of fame class class include Michigan’s Charles Woodson, Miami’s Ed Reed and Temple’s Paul Palmer.

Former Penn State first-team All-America lineman Steve Wisniewski also was on the hall of fame ballot but was not voted in.

Collins will be the first Nittany Lion enshrined since linebacker Shane Conlan (2014) and running back Curt Warner (2010).

Collins is most famous for leading Penn State's 12-0 run to the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl in 1994, guiding one of the most prolific offenses in college football history. Coach Joe Paterno's Lions still finished No. 2 that season to Nebraska.

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The Reading schoolboy star directed an offense that led the nation in scoring (47.8 points per game) and total offense (520.2 yards per game) — both still Big Ten records. He played alongside star tailback Ki-Jana Carter, receiver Bobby Engram, tight end Kyle Brady and linemen Marco Rivera and Jeff Hartings.

Collins threw for 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions that senior season, completing 67 percent of his passes for 2,679 yards (bowl games were not included in regular season stats).

Check out the many teams Collins played for (story continues below):

“On what was arguably one of the most dynamic offenses ever assembled, Kerry Collins was the driving force that made it go,” Fran Ganter, the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 1984-2003 said in a prepared statement.

"Kerry managed to keep a group of superstars selfless, humble and unified in their goal to go undefeated during our historic 1994 season. He was an inspiration to his teammates in the way he prepared and the way he practiced."

The consensus first-team All-American broke Penn State season records for completions, passing yardage, completion percentage and pass efficiency. He also completed a school-record 14-straight passes in the season-opener at Minnesota.

He led the Big Ten in passing yardage that year and his 172.86 pass efficiency rating still ranks No. 3 in Big Ten single-season history.

Collins was fourth in Heisman Trophy voting (Carter was second).

Collins helped Penn State earn a 40-9 record from 1991-94 and was instrumental in the Nittany Lions earning a 22-2 overall mark (14-2 conference) during their first two years in the Big Ten. 

He was picked by the expansion Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL Draft and played for six teams in 17 seasons. He led the New York Giants to the Super Bowl in the 2000 season.