Tim Couch collected no shortage of honors over the course of a decorated football career — Mr. Football in Kentucky as a higher schooler, All-American in college and the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Now, Couch can add another title to that lengthy list.

Couch, the former Kentucky standout quarterback who played at the school from 1996-98, has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as part of its 2024 class, with the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announcing the news Monday on ESPN.

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He joins a number of former Wildcats players and coaches who have already been inducted into the hall of fame, a group that includes coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, coach Jerry Claiborne, tackle Bob Gain, quarterback Vito “Babe” Parilli, end Steve Meilinger, tackle Lou Michaels and defensive end Art Still.

A quarter-century after his final collegiate snap, Couch is still among the most statistically decorated players in Kentucky history.

His 8,435 career passing yards are the third-most ever for a Wildcats player, behind only Jared Lorenzen and Andre’ Woodson, both of whom played one more year at the school than Couch. His 1998 and 1997 seasons are first and second place, respectively, for most passing yards by a Kentucky player in a season.

Playing in coach Hal Mumme’s pioneering Air Raid scheme, Couch piloted high-scoring offenses that significantly increased fan interest in the program and prompted Kentucky to expand what is now known as Kroger Field by 10,000 seats.

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As a junior 1998, he threw for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns while completing a then-NCAA record 72.3% of his passes and guiding the Wildcats to a 7-5 record, their highest win total in a season in 14 years. He was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fourth place in voting.

Couch is already in the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame and the National High School Hall of Fame. His No. 2 jersey was retired by the Wildcats in 1999.

On the heels of that stellar 1998 season, the Hyden, Kentucky native declared for the 1999 NFL Draft, where he was the No. 1 overall pick of the expansion Cleveland Browns. He played five years with the Browns before injuries ultimately ended his career after the 2003 season.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Former Kentucky QB Tim Couch elected to College Football Hall of Fame