Oklahoma State's Leslie O'Neal makes 2017 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Leslie O'Neal is among 75 former players named to the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for 2017.

O'Neal, a former Oklahoma State defensive tackle, was a two-time first-team All-American, including unanimous honors in 1985. He was the 1984 Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, and earned All-Big Eight honors for three consecutive seasons (1983, '84 and '85). He left OSU as the program's leader in career sacks (34), career tackles for loss (47) and single-season sacks (16).

In order to be eligible, players must have earned first-team All-America honors from one of the NCAA's recognized organizations, be more than 10 but less than 50 years removed from their final collegiate seasons and be retired from the sport.

Coaches become eligible three full seasons after retirement or immediately following retirement if they are at least 70. Active coaches become eligible at 75. Coaches must have been a head coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage.

The announcement of the 2017 Hall of Fame class will be made Friday, Jan. 6, in Tampa, Fla., site of the College Football Playoff National Championship. The induction ceremony will take place Dec. 5, 2017, in New York City.