The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame has unveiled its largest-ever induction class for 2026, honoring 18 standout First Team All-America players and 4 legendary coaches.
The announcement was made earlier this year, during “College Football Live Presented by Great Clips” on ESPN2.
College Football Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees: What To Know
This record-setting group represents a wide range of eras, positions, conferences, and institutions, from dominant defensive linemen and Heisman Trophy winners to innovative coaches who built powerhouse programs.
The 2026 PlayersThe player inductees are:
- 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 (2009 Heisman Trophy winner)
- 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 (national champion)
- Eric Weddle, S (2003-06) – University of Utah
The 2026 CoachesThe coaching inductees are:
- Jim Margraff (deceased) – Johns Hopkins University (1990-2018)
- Gary Patterson – Texas Christian University (2000-21)
- Chris Petersen – Boise State University (2006-13) and University of Washington (2014-19)
- Ken Sparks (deceased) – Carson-Newman University (1980-2016)
These four coaches combined for 48 conference championships and 5 national titles, with standout winning percentages and lasting impacts on their programs and players.
The class will be officially enshrined at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, presented by Las Vegas, on December 8, 2026. Following the ceremony, the inductees will take their permanent place at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
NFF Chairman Archie Manning praised the group: “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.”
Why This Class Stands Out
This induction class highlights the depth of talent across college football history. It includes elite performers like Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh (two of the most disruptive defensive tackles in recent memory), Heisman winner Mark Ingram, record-setting FCS star Jerry Azumah, and versatile playmakers like Peter Warrick and Marvin Harrison.
The coaches represent both FBS innovators (Petersen and Patterson) and highly successful leaders at smaller programs.
The 2026 class was chosen from a national ballot of 79 FBS players, 9 FBS coaches, 100 divisional players, and 35 divisional coaches.
This announcement celebrates the enduring legacy of college football’s greatest contributors and will inspire future generations as their stories become part of the Hall of Fame’s permanent exhibit in Atlanta.
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