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

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IRVING, Texas (Jan. 14, 2026) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class during “College Football Live Presented by Great Clips” on ESPN2.
 

2026 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

 
PLAYERS:

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

 
COACHES:

• Jim Margraff*: 221-89-3 (71.1%) – Johns Hopkins University [MD] (1990-2018)
• Gary Patterson: 181-79-0 (69.6%) – Texas Christian University (2000-21)
• Chris Petersen: 147-38-0 (79.5%) – Boise State University (2006-13); University of Washington (2014-19)
• Ken Sparks*: 338-99-2 (77.2%) – Carson-Newman University [TN] (1980-2016)

 *Deceased

The 18 First Team All-America players and four standout coaches in the 2026 Class were selected from the national ballot of 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks.
 

“We are thrilled to announce the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” said Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Mississippi. “Each of these legends ranks among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to adding their incredible accomplishments to those permanently enshrined in the NFF Hall of Fame.”
 
The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Tickets are available at https://NFF2026.givesmart.com.
 
The inductees will also be recognized at their respective collegiate institutions with NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the fall. Their accomplishments will be forever immortalized at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Each inductee will receive a custom ring created by Jostens, the official and exclusive supplier of NFF rings.
 
“We want to thank ESPN for the opportunity to announce the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class on College Football Live today,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “Today’s announcement shines a light on the accomplishments of some of college football’s greatest legends, and we are grateful to everyone who has played a role in today’s announcement.”
 

2026 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS NOTES

 
PLAYERS: 

• 10 unanimous First Team All-Americans (Azumah, Carter, Cumby, Donald, Hearst, Ingram, Laurinaitis, Newman, Suh, Warrick)
• 6 consensus First Team All-Americans (Hudson, Kreutz, Laurinaitis—2, Moore, Warrick, Weddle)
• 4 multi-year First Team All-Americans (Azumah—2, Cumby—2, Laurinaitis—3, Warrick—2)
• 8 winners of college football major awards (Azumah—Walter Payton, Donald—Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland, Hearst—Doak Walker, Hudson—Jim Thorpe, Ingram—Heisman, Laurinaitis—Butkus and Nagurski, Lott, Newman—Jim Thorpe, Suh—Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland)
• 2 members of national championship teams (Ingram, Warrick)
• 11 conference players of the year (Azumah, Cumby—2, Donald, Harrison, Hearst, Ingram, Laurinaitis—2, Lynch—2, Newman, Suh, Weddle—2)
• 12 members of conference championship teams (Azumah—2, Carter, Collie, Cumby—4, Hudson, Ingram, Kreutz, Laurinaitis—4, Lynch—2, Moore, Warrick—4, Weddle—2)  
• 11 players who still hold school records (Azumah, Carter, Cumby, Donald, Harrison, Hearst, Hudson, Lynch, Moore, Warrick, Weddle)
• 11 played for College Football Hall of Fame coaches (Azumah—Bill Bowes, Carter—Joe Paterno, Cumby—Barry Switzer, Hudson— Bill McCartney, Ingram—Nick Saban, Laurinaitis— Jim Tressel, Moore—George Welsh, Newman—Bill Snyder, Novogratz—Earl “Red” Blaik, Warrick—Bobby Bowden, Weddle—Urban Meyer)
• 10 first-round NFL draft picks (Carter, Cumby, Donald, Harrison, Hearst, Ingram, Moore, Newman, Suh, Warrick), including 1 first-overall selection (Carter)
• 11 offensive players (Azumah, Carter, Collie, Harrison, Hearst, Ingram, Kreutz, Lynch, Moore, Novogratz, Warrick)
• 7 defensive players (Cumby, Donald, Hudson, Laurinaitis, Newman, Suh, Weddle)
• 7 decades represented: 1950s—Novogratz; 1970s—Cumby; 1980s—Collie, Moore; 1990s—Azumah, Carter, Harrison, Hearst, Hudson, Kreutz, Newman, Warrick; 2000s—Ingram, Laurinaitis, Suh, Weddle; 2010s—Donald, Lynch
• 1 school with their first-ever Hall of Fame player (New Hampshire—Azumah)
• 1 school with first Hall of Fame coach or player (Texas at Arlington—Collie)

 
COACHES: 

• 5 national championships (Sparks—5)
• 48 conference championships (Margraff—14, Patterson—6, Petersen—7 [Boise State-5, Washington-2], Sparks—21)
• 3 coaches with the most wins in school history (Margraff—Johns Hopkins [MD], Patterson—Texas Christian, Sparks—Carson-Newman [TN])
• 67 bowl/postseason appearances (Margraff—10, Patterson—18, Petersen—14 [Boise State-8, Washington-6], Sparks—25)
• 89 First Team All-Americans coached (Margraff—8, Patterson—21, Petersen—8, Sparks—52)
• 22 conference coach of the year honors (Margraff—4, Patterson—4, Petersen—2, Sparks—12)
• 2 schools with their first-ever Hall of Fame coach (Johns Hopkins [MD]—Margraff, Bosie State—Petersen)
• 1 school with their first-ever Hall of Fame coach or player inductee (Carson-Newman [TN]—Sparks)

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

 
1. First and foremost, a player must have received First Team All-America recognition by a selector recognized by the NCAA and utilized to comprise its consensus All-America teams.
 
2. A player becomes eligible for consideration by the NFF’s Honors Court 10 full seasons after his final year of intercollegiate football played.
 
3. While each nominee’s football achievements in college are of prime consideration, his post football record as a citizen is also weighed. He must have proven himself worthy as a citizen, carrying the ideals of football forward into his relations with his community. Consideration may also be given for academic honors and whether or not the candidate earned a college degree.
 
4. Players must have played their last year of intercollegiate football within the last 50 years*. For example, to be eligible for the 2026 ballot, the player must have played his last year in 1976 or thereafter. In addition, current professional players and/or coaches are not eligible until retirement.
 
5. A coach becomes eligible three full seasons after retirement or immediately following retirement provided he is at least 70 years old. Active coaches become eligible at 75 years of age. He must have been a head football coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .595 winning percentage.
 
6. Nominations may only be submitted by the current athletics director, head coach or sports information director (SID) of a potential candidate’s collegiate institution.
 
* Players that do not comply with the 50-year rule may still be eligible for consideration by the Football Bowl Subdivision and Divisional Veterans Committees. Veterans Committee candidates must still meet First Team All-America requirement.
 
 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME QUICK FACTS

 

• When the 2026 Hall of Fame Class is officially inducted in December, only 1,129 players and 241 coaches will have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame from the nearly 5.86 million who have played or coached the game during the past 157 years. In other words, less than two one-hundredths of a percent (.02%) of the individuals who have played/coached the game have earned this distinction.
• Founded in 1947, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame inducted its first class of inductees in 1951. The first class included 32 players and 22 coaches, including Illinois’ Red Grange, Notre Dame’s Knute Rockne, Iowa’s Duke Slater, Coach Amos Alonzo Stagg and Carlisle (PA)’s Jim Thorpe.
• 328 schools are represented with at least one College Football Hall of Famer.
• Induction for the 2026 Class will take place Dec. 8, 2026, during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas.

 

2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class Bios

 
 

JERRY AZUMAH
University of New Hampshire
Running Back, 1995-98

 
One of the most prolific running backs in NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) history, Jerry Azumah set multiple records during his four seasons in Durham while leading the Wildcats to two Atlantic 10 New England Division titles. The Worcester, Massachusetts, native now becomes the first player and second person in Wildcat history to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, joining his coach, Bill Bowes.
 
The 1998 recipient of the Walter Payton Award, honoring the top FCS offensive player, Azumah became the first player in FCS history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in four consecutive years, and he broke two FCS records with 6,193 career rushing yards and 8,376 career all-purpose yards.
 
Azumah still holds school records for single-game rushing yards (329), rushing yards in a season (2,195), career rushing yards (6,193), single-game carries (53), season carries (343), career carries (1,045), single-game rushing touchdowns (five), career rushing touchdowns (60), and career all-purpose yards. Azumah tallied 25 career 100-yard rushing games in 41 games, topping 100 yards in 61 percent of his games. He finished with nine games of 200 or more yards, including a pair that surpassed 300, and averaged almost 6.0 yards per carry in his four years as a Wildcat.
 
In his 1998 senior season, Azumah was named a unanimous All-American, All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection, ECAC All-Star, New England Player of the Year and Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year. That season saw him shatter conference and school season records with 343 carries for 2,195 yards and 22 touchdowns. He averaged 247.8 all-purpose yards per game and eclipsed 200 rushing yards five times.
 
As a junior, Azumah was named AFCA All-America First Team as a kick returner and All-America Second Team (Associated Press, The Sports Network) at running back. He was named an ECAC All-Star, All-Atlantic 10 (Yankee in 1996) Conference and All-New England First Team three times each.
 
A fifth-round NFL draft pick by Chicago, Azumah played seven seasons (1999-2005) with the Bears, including a 2003 Pro Bowl appearance.
 
In 2005, Azumah was inducted into the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame. He was also a recipient of the 2024 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which recognizes distinguished former student-athletes on the 25th anniversary of the end of their intercollegiate athletics eligibility.
 
 

KI-JANA CARTER
Penn State University
Running Back, 1991-94

 
Ki-Jana Carter burst onto the national stage as one of the most dynamic and productive running backs in college football during the early 1990s with a unique blend of speed, power and playmaking ability. The Westerville, Ohio, native now becomes the 21st player from Penn State to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A 1994 Unanimous First Team All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up, Carter was among the nation’s most feared offensive weapons. That season, he ranked second nationally in scoring (138 points), fourth in rushing (1,539 yards) and fifth in total yards (1,662), anchoring Penn State’s march to the Big Ten title and a No. 2 final national ranking. He was also a finalist for both the Maxwell Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award in 1994.
 
Playing for NFF College Football Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno and alongside 2018 inductee and quarterback Kerry Collins, Carter helped propel the Nittany Lions to a 40-9 record and four bowl appearances during his tenure. He earned MVP honors in the 1995 Rose Bowl as Penn State capped an undefeated season with a signature victory, while also starring in wins at the 1992 Fiesta Bowl and the 1994 Citrus Bowl, and appearing in the 1993 Blockbuster Bowl. Penn State finished with national rankings in each of his four seasons in Happy Valley, including three top 10 finishes and an undefeated 12-0 season in 1994.
 
In Big Ten play, Carter was a two-time All-Big Ten selection (Second Team in 1993, First Team in 1994) and led the league in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yardage as a junior. At Penn State, he was the team’s MVP during the undefeated 1994 campaign and left with numerous school records: highest career rushing average (7.16), most rushing yards (1,539) and rushing touchdowns (23) by a junior, single-season record for 100-yard games (9), and the bowl game touchdown record (three in the 1995 Rose Bowl). Carter finished his Nittany Lion career with 395 carries for 2,829 yards and 34 touchdowns, ranking among the program’s all-time leaders.
 
Selected first overall in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Bengals, Carter played in the league from 1995–2004 in the NFL with Cincinnati, Washington and New Orleans.
 
Carter is the owner of ByoGlobe, a branded promotional products company, in Plantation, Florida, and he is actively involved in community service throughout South Florida, including previous work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2014. 
 
 

BRUCE COLLIE
University of Texas at Arlington
Offensive Tackle, 1981-84

 
Bruce Collie starred on the offensive line at the University of Texas at Arlington from 1981–84, establishing himself as one of the most dominant linemen in the nation. The San Antonio, Texas, native becomes the first person ever from the Mavericks program to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Collie utilized his 6-foot-6, 300-pound frame with exceptional strength, leverage, and technique to create an imposing force on the offensive line, and his efforts led to UTA’s sustained success during the early 1980s, including a Southland Conference championship and a 10-2 record in 1981.
 
Despite returning from an ankle injury, Collie delivered an outstanding senior season, earning First Team All-America honors from both the Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association in 1984. He claimed Honorable Mention All-America recognition as both a sophomore and junior.
 
His powerful run blocking and dependable pass protection, which fueled the offense’s ground game and air attack, also earned him three consecutive All-Southland Conference selections, establishing him as one of the premier linemen at the Division I-AA level.
 
His college accolades led to his invitation to the prestigious Blue-Gray All-Star Game, and he was selected in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He played in the NFL from 1985 to 1991, winning two Super Bowls in 1989 and 1990 with the 49ers before concluding his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
 
Born in Nuremberg, Bavaria, West Germany, to American parents stationed there, Collie relocated to San Antonio, Texas, at age three, where he attended Robert E. Lee High School and excelled in football. After his professional football career, he returned to Texas, raising 13 children and operating a family-owned businesses in Wimberley.​
 
He was inducted into the UT Arlington Athletics Hall of Honor in 2002 and the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
 
 

GEORGE CUMBY
University of Oklahoma
Linebacker, 1976-79

 
A dominant force at linebacker, George Cumby anchored one of the most successful defensive eras in Oklahoma history with the Sooners finishing in the top 10 all four of his seasons in Norman. The Gorman, Texas, native now becomes the 25th Oklahoma player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Playing under NFF Hall of Fame head coach Barry Switzer, Cumby helped guide Oklahoma to a 41-6-1 overall record, four Big Eight championships, and four consecutive bowl appearances, including victories in the 1976 Fiesta Bowl and three consecutive Orange Bowl berths with victories in the last two.
 
Cumby earned two First Team All-America selections, including unanimous honors as a senior in 1979, and was recognized as the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year in both 1978 and 1979. A three-time First Team All-Big Eight selection and the league’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 1976, he led the Sooners to a dominant 20-1 conference record as a starter.
 
Oklahoma finished ranked in the national top 10 in each of his four seasons—No. 5 in 1976, No. 7 in 1977, and No. 3 in both 1978 and 1979—while ranking in the Associated Press Top 10 in 55 of 58 weeks during his career. His Sooner teammates in the NFF Hall of Fame include Dewey Selmon, Lee Roy Selom, Billy Sims and Joe Washington.
 
Despite spending his first collegiate season on offense at fullback, Cumby finished his career ranked second all-time at Oklahoma with 437 tackles, a mark that stood as a testament to his durability and production. He led the Sooners in tackles twice, recording 154 stops in 1977 and 160 in 1979, and set the school record for career tackles in bowl games with 32. Cumby also ranks third all-time at Oklahoma in career interceptions by a linebacker (seven) and concluded his career with 36 consecutive starts, along with 16 tackles for loss and five fumble recoveries.
 
Selected in the first round (26th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft by Green Bay, Cumby played six seasons with the Packers, earning Second Team All-Pro honors in 1982. He concluded his professional career with the Buffalo Bills in 1986 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987.
 
After his playing career, Cumby returned to his hometown of Tyler, TX, where he coached football at Texas College and Tyler Junior College. He also coached at his alma mater Bishop Gorman Catholic School. An ordained minister, Cumby has served as a pastor with several churches. 
 
 

AARON DONALD
University of Pittsburgh
Defensive Tackle, 2010-13

 
An unprecedented disruptive force, Aaron Donald redefined the position of defensive tackle during his four seasons in Pittsburgh, emerging as one of the most accomplished defensive linemen in college football history. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native becomes the 21st Panthers player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame. 
 
Donald delivered one of the most decorated individual seasons in college football history in 2013, earning unanimous First Team All-America honors while sweeping the sport’s top defensive awards, including the Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland trophies. He finished the season, leading the NCAA with 28.5 tackles for loss and averaging an astounding 2.2 tackles per loss per game. Donald was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned Most Valuable Lineman honors at the 2013 Little Caesars Bowl after recording five tackles, two tackles for loss and a pivotal 11-yard sack in Pitt’s 30-27 victory over Bowling Green.
 
A two-time team captain and recipient of Pitt’s prestigious Panther Award, Donald etched his name throughout the Panthers’ record book. A two-time First Team All-Conference (2013, 2012) pick and a Second Team All-Conference (2011) selection, Donald stands as Pitt’s all-time leader in career tackles for loss (66), single-season tackles for loss (28.5 in 2013) and single-game tackles for loss (six against Georgia Tech in 2013).
 
Over his career, he totaled 181 tackles, 66 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks and six forced fumbles, becoming the first Pitt player to win four major national awards in a single season and the program’s first defensive national award winner since NFF Hall of Famer Hugh Green in 1980.
 
He guided the Panthers to four consecutive bowl appearances, including victories at the 2011 BBVA Compass Bowl and the 2013 Little Caesars Bowl. He also helped Pitt claim a share of the 2010 Big East Title.
 
Selected 13th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Rams, Donald spent his entire 10-year professional career with the franchise, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors three times, eight First Team All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl nods. He helped the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI.
 
Donald currently resides in Los Angeles, where he serves as co-owner of Ready Nutrition. In 2019, he established the AD99 Solutions Foundation to help connect underserved youth and communities with critical resources and opportunities. In recognition of his lasting impact, Pitt renamed the ground floor of the Duratz Athletic Complex the “Aaron Donald Football Performance Center” following his seven-figure contribution to the Pitt Football Championship Fund. He was inducted into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.

 

MARVIN HARRISON
Syracuse University
Kick Returner/Wide Receiver, 1992-95

 
One of the most dynamic playmakers in Syracuse history, Marvin Harrison excelled as both a kick returner and wide receiver, setting multiple school records and leading the Orange into the postseason with wins following the 1992 and 1995 seasons. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native now becomes the 11th Orange player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Harrison capped his senior season, earning First Team All-America honors as a kick returner in 1995 from the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News while also claiming Big East Special Teams Player of the Year honors. He set the conference record with a 94-yard punt return touchdown against Minnesota in 1995 and ranked among the league’s all-time leaders in 100-yard receiving games (tied at third with 13), receiving touchdowns (tied at ninth with 20), and punt returns for touchdowns (tied at ninth with two).
 
A two-time First Team All-Big East (1994, 1995) selection and a Second-Team All-Big East pick (1993), Harrison finished his Syracuse career as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,728) and second in receiving touchdowns (20), marks that still rank among the best in program history. A team captain and team MVP as a senior, he remains the Orange’s career leader with 13 games with 100-yard or more and holds Syracuse bowl records for receptions (seven) and receiving yards (173), both set during the 1996 Gator Bowl victory over Clemson. Harrison concluded his collegiate career with 135 receptions for 2,728 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding 542 punt return yards and two return touchdowns. He rushed 18 times for 127 yards and one touchdown.
 
During his four-year career, Syracuse compiled a 32-13-1 overall record, earned two major bowl victories, and finished ranked among the nation’s top 20 twice. Harrison played a pivotal role in Syracuse’s 26-22 victory at the 1993 Fiesta Bowl over Colorado and later helped lead the Orange to a 41-0 win at the 1996 Gator Bowl against Clemson.
 
Selected in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Harrison spent his entire 13-year professional career with the franchise, earning eight Pro Bowl selections, six All-Pro honors and helping the team win Super Bowl XLI. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
 
Harrison currently resides in the Philadelphia area, where he works in real estate development and remains active in youth and community initiatives. 
 
 

GARRISON HEARST
University of Georgia
Running Back, 1990-92

 
Combining power, speed, and versatility, Garrison Hearst anchored the Georgia offense as one of the most electrifying running backs in school history. The Lincolnton, Georgia, native now becomes the 17th Bulldog player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Hearst delivered a historic junior campaign in 1992, earning unanimous First Team All-America honors and capturing the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting and led the nation in scoring with 126 points, while also becoming the inaugural recipient of the ESPY Award for the nation’s most outstanding college football player.
 
Hearst was named SEC Player of the Year in 1992, helping guide Georgia to a share of the SEC East title during his award-winning junior season. He led the SEC that season in rushing yards (1,547), total touchdowns (21), rushing touchdowns (19), points scored (126), and yards per carry (6.8, minimum 200 attempts), while his 1,910 all-purpose yards ranked second in conference history at the time. His accolades also included SEC Freshman of the Year in 1990.
 
Hearst concluded his Georgia career ranked second in school history (trailing only NFF College Football Hall of Famer Herschel Walker) in career rushing yards (3,232), all-purpose yards (3,934), and 100-yard rushing games (16). He remains Georgia’s all-time leader in single-season points by a non-kicker (126) and single-season rushing touchdowns (19), both achieved during his remarkable 1992 campaign. He finished his collegiate career with 543 rushing attempts for 3,232 yards and 33 touchdowns, while adding 45 receptions for 546 yards and two scores.
 
Over his three seasons in Athens, Georgia posted a 23-12 overall record and earned victories in the 1991 Independence Bowl and the 1993 Citrus Bowl. He earned MVP honors in the Bulldogs’ 21-14 victory over Ohio State at the 1993 Citrus Bowl, which capped the season with a No. 8 final national ranking. He helped lead Georgia to a No. 17 final ranking following in 1991, which included a 24-15 win over Arkansas at the Independence Bowl.
 
Selected with the third overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the Phoenix Cardinals, Hearst went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL with the Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos, earning two Pro Bowl selections and being named NFL Comeback Player of the Year twice.
 
Hearst currently resides in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he serves as a uniform inspector for NFL Operations and remains active in youth sports through coaching and community service. He was named to the SEC Legends Class in 2006 and inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
 
 

CHRIS HUDSON
University of Colorado
Defensive Back, 1991-94

 
One of the premier defensive backs of the 1990s, Chris Hudson played a pivotal role in one of the most successful eras in Colorado football history. The Houston, Texas, native becomes Colorado’s 11th player inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Hudson capped his collegiate career with a dominant senior season in 1994, earning consensus First Team All-America honors and capturing the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. Playing three years at corner and as free safety his junior year, he was also recognized as a Third Team Associated Press All-American as a junior.
 
A cornerstone of the secondary under NFF Hall of Fame head coach Bill McCartney, Hudson helped guide Colorado to a 36-9-3 overall record, four bowl appearances, and a Big Eight championship in 1991. The Buffaloes finished ranked nationally in each of his four seasons, topped by a No. 3 in 1994. He helped lead Colorado to victories in the 1993 Aloha Bowl and the 1995 Fiesta Bowl, while also appearing in the 1991 Blockbuster Bowl and the 1993 Fiesta Bowl. His teammates included fellow NFF Hall of Famers Deon Figures, Rashaan Salaam, and Michael Westbrook, as well as 1992 NFF Campbell Trophy recipient Jim Hansen.
 
One of only seven CU players ever named First Team All-Big Eight three times, Hudson anchored a conference-defining defense that lost just three league games during his career, posting a 22-3-3 conference record.
 
He ranks second all-time in Colorado history with 15 career interceptions and finished his career with 141 tackles, 15 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, and 20 pass breakups. He also contributed on special teams, returning 53 punts for 516 yards and 10 kickoffs for 155 yards.
 
In 1994, Hudson earned the team’s Hang Tough Award after playing the final 10 games of the regular season with a nagging turf toe injury while still performing at an All-America level. The previous season, he delivered one of the defining performances of his career, recording seven tackles, two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, and two pass breakups in Colorado’s 36-14 season-opening home victory against Texas.
 
Selected in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hudson played professionally with the Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and Atlanta Falcons from 1995 to 2001.
 
Hudson currently resides in Olive Branch, Mississippi, where he is an entrepreneur owning restaurants and hotels while remaining deeply committed to community service through youth mentorship and volunteer coaching. He was inducted into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
 
  

MARK INGRAM
University of Alabama
Running Back, 2008-10

 
A powerful, downhill runner, Mark Ingram anchored an Alabama team that produced one of the most dominant eras in college football history, including a national title in 2009. The Flint, Michigan, native now becomes the 22nd Crimson Tide player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Ingram authored a historic sophomore season in 2009, becoming the first Heisman Trophy winner in Alabama football history. He earned unanimous First Team All-America honors and was named the Sporting News Player of the Year after leading the Tide to a perfect 14-0 record and the BCS National Championship. Ingram was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the title victory, capping one of the most memorable seasons ever by a Crimson Tide player.
 
A two-time All-SEC selection (First Team in 2009 and Second Team in 2010), Ingram was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2009, leading Alabama to its first conference championship since 1999. He paced the league in rushing yards (1,658), rushing touchdowns (17), and total touchdowns (20) during his award-winning season, while setting Alabama’s single-season rushing record. Ingram was also a Freshman All-SEC selection in 2008.
 
Ingram finished his Alabama career as the school’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (42) and totaled 3,261 rushing yards on 572 carries, while adding 60 receptions for 670 yards and four touchdowns. In addition to the 2009 No. 1 final ranking, Ingram’s career included appearances in the 2009 Sugar Bowl and a victory in the 2011 Capital One Bowl, finishing ranked No. 6 and No. 10, respectively. Playing under NFF Hall of Fame head coach Nick Saban, Ingram helped Alabama notch a 36-5 overall record, three bowl appearances, and a national championship.
 
Selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by New Orleans, Ingram played a total of 12 seasons in the NFL with the Saints, Ravens, and Texans, earning three Pro Bowl selections.
 
After retiring from professional football, Ingram transitioned into broadcasting and currently serves as a college football analyst for FOX Sports. Ingram remains active in community service through the Mark Ingram Foundation, which supports children with incarcerated parents. He was named the Saints’ 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and earned the NFLPA Community MVP Award during his professional career.

 

OLIN KREUTZ
University of Washington
Center, 1995-97

 
As the anchor of Washington’s offensive line in the mid-1990s, Olin Kreutz set the standard for toughness, leadership, and consistency in the Pac-10, emerging as one of the nation’s premier centers during a three-year career in Seattle. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native now becomes the 12th Husky player inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A consensus First Team All-American in 1997, Kreutz earned back-to-back First Team All-Pac-10 honors in 1996 and 1997 and captured the Morris Trophy in 1997 as the conference’s top offensive lineman as voted on by opposing players.
 
He played a central role in Washington’s offensive success, blocking for quarterback Brock Huard, who set 20 school records and finished his career with 6,391 passing yards. He also paved the way for All-Pac-10 running back Corey Dillon, who led the conference with 1,555 rushing yards in 1996. Behind Kreutz’s blocking, the Huskies outscored their opponents 420-259 in 1997 and 391-254 in 1996.
 
Kreutz helped guide the Huskies to a 24–11–1 record, three consecutive bowl appearances, including a victory at the 1997 Aloha Bowl and final AP rankings of No. 16 in 1996 and No. 18 in 1997. Kreutz claimed UW Lineman of the Year and Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational Award honors in 1997, and he was named the UW Freshman of the Year in 1995.
 
Selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft by Chicago, he played for the Bears from 1998-2010 and with the Saints for a final season in 2011. He was selected for the Pro Bowl six times and earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2006.
 
Now an analyst for Chicago’s 670 The Score, Kreutz remains active in football-related civic initiatives and is a longtime supporter of the NFF Chicago Metro Chapter. He was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 2016.

 

JAMES LAURINAITIS
Ohio State University
Linebacker, 2005-08

 
From the moment he arrived in Columbus, James Laurinaitis’ sideline-to-sideline range set him apart, propelling him into the ranks of the most decorated defenders in college football history. The Wayzata, Minnesota, native now becomes the 29th Buckeye inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A three-time First Team All-American, Laurinaitis earned consensus honors in 2006 and 2008 and unanimous recognition in 2007, when he captured the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. He also claimed the 2006 Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s most outstanding defensive player; was a finalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik awards in 2008; and received the 2008 Lott IMPACT Trophy.
 
A two-year team captain and the 2007 Team MVP, he emerged as the most decorated linebacker in school history, finishing his career with 375 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and nine interceptions, while leading the Buckeyes in tackles in three consecutive seasons.
 
At the conference level, Laurinaitis was a dominant force in the Big Ten, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors three times (2006–08) and being named Defensive Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008, becoming just the second two-time recipient of the award.
 
Playing for NFF Hall of Fame coach Jim Tressel, Laurinaitis anchored the Buckeyes’ defense during a four-year run that produced a 43–8 record, four Big Ten championships, and top-10 national finishes in every season of his career: No. 4 in 2005, No. 2 in 2006, No. 5 in 2007 and No. 9 in 2008. His play helped propel Ohio State to victory in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl and to consecutive BCS National Championship Game appearances following the 2007 and 2008 seasons as well as an appearance in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State went 4-0 against Michigan during his four seasons in Columbus.
 
Laurinaitis also excelled academically, earning three Academic All-Big Ten selections and the 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
 
Selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by St. Louis, he went on to enjoy an eight-year NFL career with the Rams and Saints.
 
Back in Columbus, Laurinaitis has served as Ohio State’s linebackers coach since 2024. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

 

JORDAN LYNCH
Northern Illinois University
All-Purpose/Quarterback, 2010-13

 
Few players redefined the quarterback position like Jordan Lynch, whose dual-threat brilliance elevated Northern Illinois onto the national stage. The Chicago, Illinois, native now becomes just the second player in Huskies history to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A First Team Associated Press All-American in 2013 as an all-purpose player, Lynch finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, the highest ever finish for a player from the Mid-American Conference. A Second Team AP All-America pick in 2012, he became the first FBS player in history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a season, accomplishing the feat by passing for 3,138 yards and rushing for 1,815. He also emerged as just the fifth player ever to record at least 20 rushing and 20 passing touchdowns in the same season. His totals made him just the fifth FBS player (and the fastest ever with just 28 starts) to compile at least 4,000 career rushing yards and 6,000 career passing yards.
 
A two-time finalist for the Manning Award and a finalist for the Walter Camp and Johnny Unitas awards in 2013, Lynch set five NCAA records, including quarterback rushing marks for a single game (321 yards) and a season (1,920 yards), and still ranks among the NCAA’s all-time leaders in career rushing yards (4,343) by a quarterback. He still owns 25 school records, and he finished his career with 509 completions for 6,209 yards and 51 touchdowns while rushing 662 times for 4,343 yards and 48 touchdowns.
 
A two-time Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, two-time Vern Smith Leadership Award recipient, and two-time First Team All-MAC selection, Lynch led Northern Illinois to back-to-back MAC West titles in 2012 and 2013 and the MAC Championship in 2012. With Lynch under center, NIU became the first MAC program to earn a BCS bowl berth, culminating in an appearance at the 2013 Orange Bowl. Lynch never lost a MAC regular-season game as a starter, finishing 16–0 in conference play. Lynch compiled a remarkable 24-4 record as a starter, and he led NIU to two bowl appearances (2012, 2013). The Huskies earned a final ranking of No. 22 in 2012.
 
Lynch played in the Canadian Football League from 2015-17 for the Edmonton Eskimos, scoring the game-winning touchdown in the 2015 Grey Cup. He currently serves as head football coach at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago where he got his start. He has been inducted into the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame, the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Mount Carmel High School Hall of Fame.

 

HERMAN MOORE
University of Virginia
Wide Receiver, 1988-90

 
Herman Moore emerged as one of the most explosive wide receivers in college football history, helping transform Virginia football and elevating the Cavaliers to national prominence. The Danville, Virginia, native now becomes the sixth Virginia player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A consensus First Team All-American in 1990, Moore finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting and played a central role in Virginia’s rise to its first No. 1 national ranking and a berth in the Sugar Bowl.
 
He holds the NCAA record for highest average gain per reception (22.0) among players with at least 105 catches and finished his career with the most consecutive games in a season with a touchdown reception, scoring in nine straight contests during the 1990 campaign. Moore helped guide Virginia to its first-ever New Year’s Day game with an appearance in the Citrus Bowl, following the 1989 season. The Cavaliers posted a 22–6 record during his three years in Charlottesville.
 
Playing for NFF Hall of Fame coach George Welsh, Moore helped Virginia capture a share of the 1989 ACC championship. In 1990, he earned First Team All-ACC honors while setting the league’s single-season records for receiving yards (1,190), receiving yards per game (108.2), and receiving touchdowns (13).
 
Moore departed Virginia as the school’s all-time leader in career receiving yards (2,504), receiving touchdowns (27), and 100-yard receiving games (eight). He holds the Cavalier single-season record for receiving touchdowns with 13 in 1990, and his single-season mark for receiving yards (1,190) the same year was a UVA record for over three decades.
 
A two-sport standout, he also left his mark in track and field, setting Virginia’s all-time high jump record of 7 feet, 2.5 inches. Selected in the first round of the 1991 NFL Draft by Detroit, Moore played from 1991 to 2001 with the Lions and a final season in 2002 with the Giants. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and a First Team All-Pro pick three times.
 
Moore currently serves as president and CEO of Team84 LLC, a marketing agency that specializes in print management and promotion solutions. He also established The Herman Moore Tackle Life Foundation, which provides essential life skills and experiences for young people.
 
Virginia retired his No. 87, and he has been inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and the Detroit Lions Ring of Honor and was a member of the 2018 ACC Legends Class.

 

TERENCE NEWMAN
Kansas State University
Cornerback, 1999-2002

 
Terence Newman combined lockdown coverage on defense and explosive return ability on special teams to become one of the most accomplished and versatile players of his era. The Salina, Kansas, native now becomes the fifth Kansas State player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A unanimous First Team All-American in 2002, Newman captured the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and was also a finalist for the Nagurski Award as the top defensive player.
 
Playing for NFF Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder and alongside fellow Hall of Fame inductees Michael Bishop, Mark Simoneau and Darren Sproles, Newman played a key role as Wildcats appeared in four consecutive bowls, including victories in the 1999 Holiday Bowl, 2001 Cotton Bowl, and 2002 Holiday Bowl. During his career, Kansas State finished ranked in the national top 10 three times, highlighted by a No. 6 finish in 1999 and a No. 7 ranking in 2002. He also played a key role on special teams, earning Honorable Mention All-America recognition as a punt returner in 2002 by the College Football News.
 
The 2002 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Newman helped lead Kansas State to the Big 12 North Division title while earning First Team All-Big 12 honors as both a defensive back and kick returner, topping the conference with a 28.5-yard kickoff return average. He was a Second Team All-Big 12 defensive back in 2001.
 
A 2002 team captain, Team MVP, and Special Teams MVP, Newman appeared in every game of his collegiate career, finishing with 10 interceptions, 41 passes defended, 5.5 tackles for loss, 134 tackles, two blocked kicks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He returned 27 punts for 417 yards and three touchdowns during his career and 32 kickoffs for 834 yards and one touchdown. He was just the second Wildcat in history to score on both a kickoff and punt return in the same season (2002).
 
A rare two-sport standout, Newman was also a two-time All-American in track and field, capturing Big 12 outdoor championships in the 100 meters in both 2001 and 2002.
 
Selected fifth overall in the 2003 NFL Draft by Dallas, Newman played 15 years in the league with the Cowboys, Bengals, and Vikings, earning two Pro Bowl selections.
 
Newman remains active in community initiatives through the Terence Newman Rising Stars Foundation. He is a member of the K-State Ring of Honor and the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame.

 

BOB NOVOGRATZ
United States Military Academy
Offensive Guard, 1957-58

 
Bob Novogratz embodied the toughness, versatility, and endurance that defined Army football in its golden era, emerging as one of the most dominant linemen of the time as part of Army’s last undefeated season. The Northampton, Pennsylvania, native now becomes the 24th Black Knight player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A First Team All-American in 1958 at offensive guard, Novogratz played a central role on Army’s undefeated 8–0–1 squad that finished the season ranked No. 3 nationally. Over two seasons, he helped lead Army to a 15–2–1 record. He blocked for NFF Hall of Famers Bob Anderson and Pete Dawkins, the latter also a Heisman Trophy winner. He also helped spring NFF Hall of Famer Bill Carpenter, who revolutionized the game as Army’s famed “Lonely End” during the 1958 season.
 
Playing in an era of ironman football, he starred on both sides of the ball, serving as a cornerstone of the offensive line while also emerging as the leader of an elite defense that surrendered just 5.4 points per game. Legendary NFF Hall of Fame coach Earl “Red” Blaik famously described him as the “sword and flame” of the Army defense.
 
The 1958 season included a signature 14-2 victory over fourth-ranked Notre Dame. In that contest, Novogratz played 56 minutes and recorded 18 tackles.
 
Novogratz earned the Knute Rockne Lineman of the Year Award from the Touchdown Club of Washington, D.C. and was also named Lineman of the Year by the Los Angeles Times in 1958.
He concluded his college career, playing in the East-West Shrine Game.
 
Following graduation from West Point, Novogratz was commissioned as a second lieutenant and went on to serve 28 years in the United States Army, including two tours of duty in Vietnam and one in Korea. A highly decorated officer, he received the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters and the Vietnamese Honor Medal before, eventually retiring with the rank of colonel.
 
Novogratz was also a two-time letterwinner with the Army wrestling program and finished third at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships as a heavyweight in 1959. He was inducted into the Army Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.

 

NDAMUKONG SUH
University of Nebraska
Defensive Tackle, 2006-09

 
Ndamukong Suh delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in college football history, redefining the impact an interior defensive lineman could have on the national stage during his career at Nebraska. The Portland, Oregon, native now becomes the 21st Cornhusker player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A unanimous First Team All-American in 2009, Suh swept college football’s major defensive awards, winning the Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski, and Outland trophies and earning Associated Press College Football Player of the Year honors. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, becoming the first defensive lineman in 15 seasons to finish as a Heisman finalist. He was also a finalist for the Lott Impact Trophy and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
 
Suh anchored a Nebraska defense that led the nation in scoring defense in 2009, allowing just 10.43 points per game. He tallied 21 tackles for loss, ranking sixth in the nation, and 12 sacks, ranking seventh.
 
A two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection, Suh earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2009 and helped lead Nebraska to two Big 12 North Division championships. His performance in the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game, highlighted by a school-record-tying seven tackles for loss against Texas, cemented his status as one of the most disruptive forces the game has ever seen.
 
Widely regarded as the most decorated defensive player in Nebraska history, Suh set school records for tackles for loss by an interior lineman, interceptions by a defensive lineman, and blocked kicks. He finished his career with 215 tackles, 57 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, six blocked kicks and a two-yard touchdown reception. A standout both on and off the field, he was named a Second Team Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
 
Over four seasons, he guided the Huskers to a 41-24 record and three postseason appearances, closing his career with victories in the Gator and Holiday bowls and a final No. 14 national ranking after the 2009 season.
 
Selected second overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by Detroit, Suh enjoyed 13 seasons in the league, playing with the Lions, Dolphins, Rams, Buccaneers and Eagles. He earned First Team All-Pro honors three times, five Pro Bowl appearances as well as winning a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.
 
Now an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and podcast host, Suh continues to make an impact through his philanthropic efforts and the Ndamukong Suh Family Foundation, including a landmark $2.6 million gift to Nebraska that supports both athletics and academics. Nebraska retired his No. 93, and he has been inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame.

 

PETER WARRICK
Florida State University
Wide Receiver, 1996-99

 
Peter Warrick emerged as one of the era’s most dynamic playmakers while helping power one of the greatest runs in college football history with the Seminoles never finishing ranked lower than No. 3 during his run in Tallahassee. The Bradenton, Florida, native now becomes the 10th Florida State player inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A two-time First Team All-American (consensus in 1998 and unanimous in 1999), Warrick played a central role in the Seminoles’ four-year stretch of national dominance, during which Florida State compiled a 45–4 record and never finished lower than No. 3 in the final national polls.
 
Playing for NFF Hall of Fame coach Bobby Bowden and alongside NFF Hall of Fame teammate Warrick Dunn, his contributions powered Florida State to four consecutive bowl berths and two national championship game appearances, including the 1999 national crown. His performance in the 2000 Sugar Bowl stands among the most memorable in postseason history, as he scored a Sugar Bowl-record 20 points and claimed Most Valuable Player honors. His contributions helped deliver Florida State the national title with the Seminoles as the first team in history to go wire-to-wire in the AP Poll as the No. 1 team in the nation.
 
At the conference level, Warrick was a dominant force in the ACC, leading Florida State to four straight league titles while earning First Team All-ACC honors twice as a receiver (1998, 1999) and once as a specialist in 1999. He finished his career as the ACC’s all-time leader in receiving yards (3,517, now ranked fourth) and ranked second in touchdown receptions (31). In 1999, he led the ACC in receptions per game (7.9), receiving yards per game (103.8) and punt return average (12.6).
 
A 1999 team captain, Warrick departed Tallahassee as the school’s career leader in receiving touchdowns and ranked among the top three in virtually every major receiving category in Florida State history. He finished his career with 207 receptions for 3,517 yards and 32 touchdowns. He added 188 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground and passed for 95 yards and two touchdowns. He returned 72 punts for 937 yards and two touchdowns and 11 kickoffs for 220 yards during his career.
 
Selected fourth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, Warrick played six seasons in the league with the Bengals and Seahawks.
 
A member of the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Team, Warrick had his Florida State jersey retired in 2018 and was inducted into the Florida State Hall of Fame (2010) and the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame (2022).
 
He currently resides in Douglasville, Georgia, running the Payton Warrick Foundation, named in honor of his son who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and assists children born with disabilities.

 

ERIC WEDDLE
University of Utah
Safety, 2003-06

A relentless ballhawk, Eric Weddle used his keen instincts and superlative coverage skills to shut down opposing offenses and force turnovers, helping elevate the Utes to unprecedented success. The Fontana, California native, now becomes the second Utah player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, joining his former teammate and 2024 inductee Alex Smith.
 
A consensus First Team All-American in 2006, Weddle played a central role in Utah’s rise to national prominence, contributing to a 37-12 record, four consecutive bowl victories, and the program’s first-ever undefeated season.
 
Playing for NFF Hall of Fame coach Urban Meyer during his first two seasons, Weddle was a cornerstone of Utah’s historic 2004 campaign, which produced a perfect 12-0 record and a final No. 4 ranking in the AP Poll. That season culminated in the program’s first-ever BCS bowl appearance (the Fiesta Bowl) with the Utes becoming the first team from a non-automatically qualifying BCS conference to earn a BCS bowl bid. Utah also scored postseason wins in the 2003 Liberty Bowl, 2005 Emerald Bowl and 2006 Armed Forces Bowl during his tenure in Salt Lake with the final two seasons under the guidance of head coach Kyle Whittingham.
 
Twice earning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors (2005, 2006), Weddle helped the Utes twice claim the conference title (2003, 2004). He was a four-time All-MWC selection, earning First Team honors in 2005 and 2006, Second Team accolades in 2004 and as an Honorable Mention pick in 2003. He finished his career among the league’s all-time leaders in forced fumbles (9) and interception returns for touchdowns (3).
 
Weddle holds the school record for career forced fumbles (9) and ranks second all-time in interceptions (18). He contributed not only as a defensive playmaker but also as a runner, passer, and return specialist, scoring eight touchdowns in 2006. He also holds the distinction as the first player in Utah history to score on back-to-back plays from scrimmage. Weddle finished his Utah career with 277 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 18 interceptions, 23 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries (including two returned for a touchdown). He rushed 52 times for 259 yards and six touchdowns. He passed twice for six yards and a touchdown, and he returned 52 punts for 408 yards.
 
Selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, Weddle played 14 seasons in the league with the Chargers, Baltimore and the Los Angeles Rams. He was twice named a First Team All-Pro and three times as a Second Team All-Pro. He was a six-time Pro Bowl pick and won a Super Bowl with the Rams.
 
Weddle currently is the head coach of the Rancho Bernardo High School in Poway, California, and he launched a jewelry line to benefit organizations that provide resources to domestic violence victims. He was inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
 
 

COACH JIM MARGRAFF
Johns Hopkins University [MD] (1990-2018)
Head Coach: 221-89-3 (71.1%)

 
Jim Margraff stands among the most successful coaches in Division III football history, winning more than 71 percent of his games during a remarkable 29 seasons and creating a championship culture at Johns Hopkins (MD). The Suffolk County (NY) native now becomes only the second person and first coach from Johns Hopkins to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
The all-time winningest coach in school history, Centennial Conference history, and Maryland state history, Margraff finished his career with a 221-89-3 record over 29 seasons, winning 71.1 percent of his games. His 221 wins ranked third among active Division III coaches at the conclusion of his final season.
 
Margraff’s final season in 2018 was the pinnacle of his remarkable career. He guided the Blue Jays to a program-record 12 wins, a 10th straight Centennial Conference title and the NCAA Division III semifinals for the first time in school history. In total, the Blue Jays captured a Centennial Conference-record 14 league championships and made 10 NCAA Playoff appearances with Margraff as the head coach.
 
His leadership in 2018 landed him AFCA Coach of the Year and D3football.com National Coach of the Year honors. He was a four-time Centennial Conference Coach of the Year (2011, 2012, 2014, 2016) and four-time AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018).
 
He coached 21 All-Americans (including eight First Team players) and 31 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, including one NFF National Scholar-Athlete and Campbell Trophy® finalist, John Arena in 2013 and one Rhodes Scholar, current Maryland Governor Wes Moore in 2000.
 
As a four-year starting quarterback for the Blue Jays from 1978 to 1981, Margraff rewrote the Hopkins passing record book, finishing his playing career as the Blue Jays’ all-time leader in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yardage and touchdown passes. He was inducted into the Johns Hopkins Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
 
Before returning to his alma mater to become the head coach in 1990, he served as an assistant at Johns Hopkins, Albany, Pennsylvania, Rochester (NY), and Columbia.
 
Less than one month after completing the 2018 season, Margraff suddenly passed away at the age of 58 on January 2, 2019. The school established the Jim Margraff Endowment for Hopkins Football and named the head coaching job in his honor. The NFF Greater Baltimore Chapter also created the James Margraff Coaches Award to honor coaches who exemplify the character and principles Margraff championed.

 

COACH GARY PATTERSON
Texas Christian University (2000-21)
Head Coach: 181-79-0 (69.6%)

 
Gary Patterson transformed TCU into one of college football’s most consistent and respected programs, becoming the winningest head coach in Horned Frogs history. The Rozel, Kansas, native now becomes the fourth TCU coach to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Over 22 seasons at TCU, Patterson compiled a 181-79 career record, winning 69.6 percent of his games while guiding the program’s transition from Conference USA to the Mountain West and then to the Big 12. He led the Horned Frogs to 11 final AP Top 25 rankings, including seven top-10 finishes, a No. 2 ranking in 2010 and a No. 3 ranking in 2014.
 
Patterson led TCU to 18 bowl appearances and an 11-6 bowl record (one game canceled), highlighted by victories in the 2011 Rose Bowl, 2014 Peach Bowl and an appearance in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl. The Rose Bowl win marked the program’s first ever appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game, and his 11 bowl victories tie him at No. 11 all-time for most overall bowl wins.
 
His teams recorded 11 seasons with at least 10 wins, including a perfect 13-0 season in 2010. A defensive mastermind, five of his defenses finished ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense during his head coaching career. He coached 21 First-Team All-Americans, three Academic All-Americans, 90 First Team all-conference players while mentoring Heisman Trophy finalists Andy Dalton, Trevone Boykin and Max Duggan.
 
Patterson won six conference championships, guiding TCU to titles in Conference USA (2002), the Mountain West (2005, 2009, 2010, 2011) and the Big 12 (2014). He was named Conference Coach of the Year four times, including Conference USA (2002), Mountain West (2005, 2009) and the Big 12 (2014). He was named National Coach of the Year a total of 22 times, with the Associated Press, AFCA, FWAA and Walter Camp each recognizing him in both 2009 and 2014.
 
A former Kansas State safety and linebacker, Patterson held assistant coaching jobs at Tennessee Tech, UC Davis, Cal Lutheran, Pittsburg State (KS), Sonoma State (CA), Utah State, Navy, New Mexico and TCU before becoming the Horned Frogs head coach.
 
Beyond the field, Patterson co-founded The Big Good Foundation with Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges, raising more than $5 million to support education, children’s health and workforce readiness in Fort Worth.  The National Football Foundation Gridiron Club of Dallas presented him its Distinguished Texan Award in 2011, and Patterson served as president of the American Football Coaches Association in 2020.
 
Since leaving TCU, Patterson has served as an off-field analyst at Texas and as a consultant at Baylor. He was inducted into the TCU Athletics Hall of Fame and received the Davey O’Brien Legends Award in 2025.

 

COACH CHRIS PETERSEN
Boise State University (2006-13); University of Washington (2014-19)
Head Coach: 147-38-0 (79.5%)

 
Chris Petersen established himself as one of the most innovative and successful coaches of his era, compiling a 147-38 career record and winning 79.5 percent of his games across 14 seasons as the head coach at Boise State and then at Washington. The Yuba City, California, native now becomes the first coach from Boise State and the fifth coach from Washington to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
The winningest coach in Boise State history, Petersen posted a remarkable 92-12 (.885) record from 2006-13, bringing the Boise State program into the national spotlight. He guided Boise State to two Fiesta Bowl victories, making the Broncos the first non-BCS program to win multiple BCS bowl games. His 2006 Broncos squad finished 13-0, earned the highest national ranking in program history (No. 5) and became the only undefeated team in FBS that season. His 2009 team also went undefeated, finishing flawlessly at 14-0 and ranked No. 4, again raising the bar on the highest finish in program history. Under his leadership, Boise State produced five conference championships; appeared in a bowl game every season; finished ranked in the top 25 six times; and successfully transitioned from the WAC to the Mountain West.
 
At Washington, Petersen continued his success, leading the Huskies to a 55-26 record from 2014-19, two Pac-12 championships and a College Football Playoff appearance in the 2016 Peach Bowl. His Washington teams reached three New Year’s Six bowls and finished among the nation’s elite, including a No. 4 final ranking in 2016.
 
During his 14-year career, Petersen won 10 games or more ten times in all but four seasons. He led teams to seven conference titles, 14 bowl appearances, and nine final AP Top 25 rankings, including three top-five finishes (2006, 2009, and 2016). He was named the WAC Coach of the Year twice (2008, 2009), and he was a two-time Bear Bryant Coach of the Year (2006, 2009), the first-ever coach to win the award twice. He also received the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award and the Gene Stallings Award. His teams produced eight First-Team All-Americans, five First-Team Academic All-Americans, and 32 First Team all-conference players.
 
Petersen played quarterback from 1985-86 at UC Davis for NFF Hall of Fame Coach Jim Sochor, earning Conference Player of the Year honors. Before becoming a head coach, he held assistant jobs at UC Davis, Pittsburgh, Portland State, Oregon and Boise State. Petersen currently works as a college football analyst for FOX Sports.

  

COACH KEN SPARKS
Carson-Newman University [TN] (1980-2016)
Head Coach: 338-99-2 (77.2%)

 
Ken Sparks built one of the most dominant and enduring programs in the history of college football, forging a legacy of excellence across nearly four decades at Carson-Newman University. The Knoxville, Tennessee, native now becomes the first person ever from the Eagles program to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Over 37 seasons, Sparks compiled a 338-99-2 career record, ranking sixth all-time in victories among all divisions. His .772 winning percentage ranks 18th all-time among coaches from all divisions in college football history.
 
Sparks led the Eagles to five NAIA national championships — in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989 and played in the title game as the NAIA runner-up in 1987 before seamlessly transitioning to NCAA Division II competition in 1993, where the Eagles advanced to three national championship games (1996, 1998, 1999) and reached the semifinals in 1997 and 2009. Across both classifications, Sparks guided the program to 25 playoff appearances, 21 South Atlantic Conference Championships and produced 52 First Team All-Americans and 104 overall.
 
He was named the NAIA Coach of the Year in 1984 and voted the South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year by his peers 12 times. He was named the Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Coach of the Year, the American Football Coach Magazine Division II Coach of the Year and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2002.
 
Sparks was inducted into the inaugural NCAA Division II Hall of Fame Coaches Class in 2010. He has been inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame, Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame and the Carson-Newman Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
His numerous honors included the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Lifetime Achievement Award, the Johnny Vaught Lifetime Achievement Award, the FCA Grant Teaff Coach of the Year Award and the inaugural “Uncommon Award” presented by Tony Dungy. He served as president of the American Football Coaches Association in 2007.
 
A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Sparks graduated from Carson-Newman in 1968, playing wide receiver for the Eagles. He began his coaching career at the high school level before returning to his alma mater as the head coach. Recognizing his enormous contributions at the school, a street running through the heart of the university was renamed in his honor. Sparks retired following the 2016 season and passed away on March 29, 2017, following a battle with prostate cancer. He was 73.

 
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