Jim Kleinsasser
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (UND Athletics)– One of the best tight ends in North Dakota history, Jim Kleinsasser (1995-98), was one of 18 players officially inducted into the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Football Hall of Fame late Tuesday night.
With the induction, Kleinsasser becomes just the second player in UND history to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining linebacker Jim LeClair (1970-71), who was inducted into the 1999 College Football Hall of Fame.
Kleinsasser played tight end at North Dakota from 1995-98. He was voted a First Team All-American by three publications in 1998 and was a first team member by two publications in 1997. He also received honorable mention All-America status in 1996. Kleinsasser secured First Team All-North Central Conference honors in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and remains the highest drafted North Dakota football player to be selected in the NFL Draft.
“The people I encountered at UND – just the role models that I had, the men that were there to shape me and guide me, I had a lot of people pushing my sled at North Dakota,” said Kleinsasser. “I can’t thank everyone enough for what they gave me and the track that they sent me on.”
Overpowering defenders as both a blocker and pass-catcher, Kleinsasser helped the Fighting Sioux to an overall record of 32-10, earning two NCAA Division II Playoff appearances during his four seasons in Grand Forks. He helped North Dakota claim the North Central Conference (NCC) title in 1995 with a 9-2 record and an overall NCC record of 28-8 during his career. UND posted final AP rankings of No. 7 in 1995, No. 19 in 1996 and No. 7 in 1998.
During his playing career at North Dakota, Kleinsasser hauled in 88 catches for 1,309 yards and averaged 14.8 yards per catch. He finished with 10 receiving touchdowns and also rushed eight times for 91 yards and a score. A team captain in 1998, Kleinsasser started all 42 games of his college career and played for Head Coach Roger Thomas. In recognition of his outstanding collegiate performance, Kleinsasser was selected to start in the 1999 Senior Bowl.
In the 1999 NFL Draft, Kleinsasser was drafted 44th overall by the Minnesota Vikings. He played for the Vikings from 1999 to 2011, before retiring at the end of the 2011 season. Kleinsasser remains the highest NFL Draft pick in school history. He was inducted into the University of North Dakota Hall of Fame in 2012.
A total of 22 college football greats were chosen for the 2025 Class: 18 First Team All-America players and four former coaches. They were selected from the national ballot of 77 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional ranks.
With tonight’s induction, there have now only been 1,111 players and 237 coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame from the nearly 5.78 million who have played or coached the game during the past 155 years. In other words, less than two one-hundredths of a percent (0.02%) of the individuals who have played/coached the game have earned the distinction.
2025 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS
PLAYERS
- Montee Ball, RB (2009-12) – University of Wisconsin
- Gregg Carr, LB (1981-84) – Auburn University
- Blake Elliott, WR (2000-03) – Saint John’s University (MN)
- Greg Eslinger, C (2002-05) – University of Minnesota
- Terry Hanratty, QB (1966-68) – University of Notre Dame
- Graham Harrell, QB (2005-08) – Texas Tech University
- John Henderson, DT (1999-2001) – University of Tennessee
- Michael Huff, DB (2002-05) – University of Texas
- Jim Kleinsasser, TE (1995-98) – University of North Dakota
- Alex Mack, OL (2005-08) – University of California
- Terrence Metcalf, OL (1997, 1999-2001) – University of Mississippi
- Haloti Ngata, DT (2002, 2004-05) – University of Oregon
- Steve Slaton, RB (2005-07) – West Virginia University
- Darrin Smith, LB (1989-92) – University of Miami
- Michael Strahan, DL (1989-92) – Texas Southern University
- Dennis Thurman, DB (1974-77) – University of Southern California
- Michael Vick, QB (1999-2000) – Virginia Tech
- Ryan Yarborough, WR (1990-93) – University of Wyoming
COACHES
- Larry Blakeney – 178-113-1 (61.1%): Troy University (1991-2014)
- Larry Korver – 212-77-6 (72.9%): Northwestern College [IA] (1967-94)
- Urban Meyer – 187-32-0 (85.4%): Bowling Green State University (2001-02): University of Utah (2003-04); University of Florida (2005-10); Ohio State University (2012-18)
- Nick Saban – 292-71-1 (80.4%): University of Toledo (1990); Michigan State University (1995-99); LSU (2000-04); University of Alabama (2007-23)
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection and induction of members of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; I Played; the William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & the Hatchell Cup presented by “The Original” Bob’s Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Bruin Capital, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, CAA Executive Search, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.
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