Former Charlton County, Georgia DB Champ Bailey to enter College Football Hall of Fame

Former Charlton County High School and University of Georgia cornerback Champ Bailey was selected Monday for induction to the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation announced.

Bailey played for the Bulldogs from 1996 to 1998 under head coach Jim Donnan, excelling on offense, defense and special teams and winning All-SEC recognition as a sophomore. During his junior year, he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the top defensive player in Division I college football. He placed seventh in Heisman Trophy balloting that year and received six first-place nominations in a vote won by Texas running back Ricky Williams.

During his junior year, Bailey appeared in 100 or more plays in six of Georgia's last seven games. He recorded 1,138 all-purpose yards in 1998, including 47 receptions for 744 yards, and intercepted three passes.

Bailey, who subsequently played 15 seasons in the NFL with Washington and Denver, entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. He was selected to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000s.

At Charlton County, Bailey earned selection to the Times-Union's Super 11 and Super 24 teams for Southeast Georgia, and rushed for 417 yards — still a Southeast Georgia record — in a game against Atkinson County in 1995. He also won a Georgia High School Association track and field championship in the triple jump, leaping 46 feet and 9 inches.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 6 at a location to be determined.

Clayton Freeman covers high school sports and more for the Florida Times-Union. Follow him on Twitter at @CFreemanJAX.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Champ Bailey of Georgia to enter College Football Hall of Fame