NFF Unveils 2026 College Football Hall of Fame All-Star Class

The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame recently announced the prestigious 2026 College Football Hall of Fame All-Star Class during a special event on ESPN2’s “College Football Live.” This year’s inductees consist of 18 former players and four esteemed coaches, representing a remarkable array of talent and achievement from across collegiate football.

2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class

Inducted Players

• Jerry Azumah, RB – University of New Hampshire (1995-98)
• Ki-Jana Carter, RB – Penn State University (1991-94)
• Bruce Collie, OT – University of Texas at Arlington (1981-84)
• George Cumby, LB – University of Oklahoma (1976-79)
• Aaron Donald, DT – University of Pittsburgh (2010-13)
• Marvin Harrison, KR/WR – Syracuse University (1992-95)
• Garrison Hearst, RB – University of Georgia (1990-92)
• Chris Hudson, DB – University of Colorado (1991-94)
• Mark Ingram, RB – University of Alabama (2008-10)
• Olin Kreutz, C – University of Washington (1995-97)
• James Laurinaitis, LB – Ohio State University (2005-08)
• Jordan Lynch, AP/QB – Northern Illinois University (2010-13)
• Herman Moore, WR – University of Virginia (1988-90)
• Terence Newman, CB – Kansas State University (1999-2002)
• Bob Novogratz, OG – United States Military Academy (1957-58)
• Ndamukong Suh, DT – University of Nebraska (2006-09)
• Peter Warrick, WR – Florida State University (1996-99)
• Eric Weddle, S – University of Utah (2003-06)

Inducted 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)

The 2026 class was chosen from a talented pool comprised of 79 players and nine coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision, alongside 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks. In making the announcement, NFF Chairman Archie Manning expressed excitement in recognizing the accomplishments of these legends.

Induction Ceremony Details

The 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, where the inductees will be honored, is set to take place on December 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Following their official induction, each standout player will receive recognition at their respective institutions through the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, with additional celebrations at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Class Highlights

• Sixteen former players were recognized as First Team All-Americans.
• The class includes ten individuals who became first-round NFL draft picks.
• Notable milestones include two Heisman Trophy winners, and numerous conference players of the year.
• Coaches in the class have a combined total of over 600 wins and numerous championships.

As the honor of being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame is a rare achievement, less than 0.02% of all individuals who have ever played or coached in college football have received this distinction. The 2026 inductees exemplify excellence and dedication to the sport.

Selection Criteria

To be considered for the Hall of Fame, athletes must have achieved First Team All-American status from a recognized selector and demonstrated a strong post-football life that reflects the ideals of the sport. Eligibility requires that athletes have played their final season within the last 50 years, while coaches must have a minimum of ten years as head coach with a winning percentage above .595.

The NFF and College Football Hall of Fame continue to honor the legacy of college football by recognizing those who have significantly contributed to its history and development.