Former New Mexico State University football star Pervis Atkins ’62 will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame later this year after a brilliant career as an Aggie.

The Hall of Fame class was announced on ESPNEWS at a press conference in New York City April 30. The class will be inducted at The National Football Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 8.

Atkins, who will join 15 other players and two coaches, was a member of NMSU’s last two bowl teams in 1959 and 1960.

Atkins played for the Aggies from 1958-1960 as a running back.

He led college football in 1959 in rushing (7.5 yards per carry), scoring (107 points) and punt return average (17.7 yards). He also twice led the nation in all-purpose yards (1959-1960).

Atkins was a two-time, all-conference selection in the Border Conference and was an Associated Press First-Team All-American in 1960.

In his last year at NMSU, Atkins led the Aggies to a perfect 11-0 record that culminated with a 20-13 Sun Bowl victory over Utah State.

Atkins still holds school records in yards per carry for a career (8.1 yards), career punt return average and single-season punt return average (21.8 in 1960).

After a successful college football career, Atkins took his play to the next level. He was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams.

He played seven seasons for the Rams, Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders. He finished his career with 3,300 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.

To be eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame ballot, players must have received major first-team All America recognition, played his last intercollegiate game at least 10 years previously and retired from playing professional football. In addition, an inductee must be exemplified as a model citizen by carrying the ideals of football forward into the community.

Atkins and the rest of the inductees will be officially enshrined at the Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., in the summer of 2010.