Shortly after Bobby Bowden became coach at Florida State in 1976, he heard from Bill Franklin, one of his former players at South Georgia College in Douglas.

"Bill had settled in Warner Robins, and he told me about a player that he really wanted me to see," Bowden said in an interview last summer. "We were really just getting started [at Florida State] so I went."

That player was Ron Simmons, an All-State defensive lineman from Warner Robins High. Simmons would sign with Florida State and become a two-time All-American.

On Thursday, Simmons, who now lives in Marietta, was one of 13 players named to the College Football Hall of Fame.

"This has to be one of the greatest honors that I have ever received, and I can't tell you how thrilled I am," Simmons told the AJC on Thursday. "When I look at all of the great players who are in the Hall of Fame, I can't believe I'm on that list. This is a tribute that I share with all of those guys who got things started at Florida State."

Simmons was one of the first big-time recruits signed by Bowden with the Seminoles. Bowden, who turns 79 on Nov. 8, is set to begin his 33rd season in Tallahassee as college football's all-time winner (373 victories) in Division I-A.

"Back then it wasn't a popular choice to go to Florida State, but Coach Bowden sold us on the dream," Simmons said. "I grew up in central Georgia and that was Bulldog country. It was not a popular choice around my house."

Florida State was 39-8 in Simmons' four seasons, and he led the Seminoles to the Orange Bowl as a junior and a senior. He was eventually inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame.

Simmons finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy balloting as a junior in 1979. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and also played in the USFL and CFL.

After his playing days, Simmons became a professional wrestler.

"There are so many people who help you get to a place like this," said Simmons, who turns 50 on May 15. "I don't know that I can thank them all, but I am going to try."

The formal induction ceremonies for this class will be held Dec. 9 in New York.

2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME SELECTIONS

PLAYERS

> Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA (1987-88)

> Billy Cannon, HB, LSU (1957-59)

> Jim Dombrowski, OL, Virginia (1982-85)

> Pat Fitzgerald, LB, Northwestern (1994-96)

> Wilber Marshall, LB, Florida (1980-83)

> Rueben Mayes, RB, Washington St. (1982-85)

> Randall McDaniel, OG, Arizona State (1984-87)

> Don McPherson, QB, Syracuse (1984-87)

> Jay Novacek, TE, Wyoming (1982-84)

> Dave Parks, SE, Texas Tech (1961-63)

> Ron Simmons, NG, Florida State (1977-80)

> Thurman Thomas, RB, Oklahoma St. (1984-87)

> Arnold Tucker, QB, Army (1944-46)

COACHES

> John Cooper, Tulsa (1977-84), Arizona State (1985-87), Ohio State (1988-2000)

> Lou Holtz, William & Mary (1969-71), N.C. State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83), Minnesota (1984-85), Notre Dame (1986-96), South Carolina (1999-2004).