NFF Reveals 2026 College Football Hall of Fame All-Star Class
The National Football Foundation (NFF) proudly announced the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class. This announcement, made on January 14, 2026, during an ESPN2 broadcast, highlights the achievements of 18 legendary players and four exceptional coaches. This year’s inductees represent a diverse range of colleges, showcasing incredible talent and contributions to the sport.
2026 College Football Hall of Fame Inductees
Players
- Jerry Azumah, RB – University of New Hampshire
- Ki-Jana Carter, RB – Penn State University
- Bruce Collie, OT – University of Texas at Arlington
- George Cumby, LB – University of Oklahoma
- Aaron Donald, DT – University of Pittsburgh
- Marvin Harrison, KR/WR – Syracuse University
- Garrison Hearst, RB – University of Georgia
- Chris Hudson, DB – University of Colorado
- Mark Ingram, RB – University of Alabama
- Olin Kreutz, C – University of Washington
- James Laurinaitis, LB – Ohio State University
- Jordan Lynch, AP/QB – Northern Illinois University
- Herman Moore, WR – University of Virginia
- Terence Newman, CB – Kansas State University
- Bob Novogratz, OG – United States Military Academy
- Ndamukong Suh, DT – University of Nebraska
- Peter Warrick, WR – Florida State University
- Eric Weddle, S – University of Utah
Coaches
- Jim Margraff – Johns Hopkins University (1990-2018)
- Gary Patterson – Texas Christian University (2000-21)
- Chris Petersen – Boise State University (2006-13), University of Washington (2014-19)
- Ken Sparks – Carson-Newman University (1980-2016)
This distinguished group was selected from an impressive national ballot, comprising 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, along with 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks. Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and Hall of Famer, expressed excitement about the induction, stating that each inductee is a legend in college football.
Induction Ceremony and Recognition
The official induction ceremony for the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will take place on December 8, 2026, during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The inductees will also be honored at their respective schools through NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, presented by Fidelity Investments.
Throughout the fall, collegiate institutions will recognize these legends as their achievements become permanently memorialized at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Each inductee will receive a custom ring from Jostens, exclusive to NFF.
Key Selection Criteria
To be considered for induction, players must have achieved First Team All-America status and demonstrate excellence both on and off the field. Coaches must have at least ten years of experience and a winning record, ensuring only the most qualified individuals are honored.
Quick Facts about the College Football Hall of Fame
As of the December 2026 induction, only 1,129 players and 241 coaches will have been inducted, a testament to the rarity and prestige of this honor. The Hall recognizes the exceptional contributions of less than 0.02% of individuals who have played or coached in college football.
For additional details, including ticketing information for the NFF Annual Awards Dinner, please visit El-Balad.
