Heisman Stars and Top Coaches Headline 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot Reveal

The National Football Foundation released the ballot for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class, featuring 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, along with 100 players and 35 coaches from lower divisions. Among the high-profile candidates are Heisman Trophy winners Mark Ingram, Cam Newton, and Robert Griffin III, as well as former AP National Player of the Year Ndamukong Suh.

Heisman Winners and Legendary Players Highlight 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot Choices

Mark Ingram made history as Alabama’s first Heisman winner in 2009 after a standout season with 1,658 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Cam Newton followed in 2010, becoming just the third FBS player to record 20 passing and 20 rushing touchdowns in a season.

Robert Griffin III, the 2011 winner, led the nation in points responsible for and ranked second in total offense. Ndamukong Suh, a dominant defensive lineman for Nebraska in 2009, was the first defensive lineman finalist for the Heisman in 15 years and earned AP National Player of the Year honors.

The ballot also includes notable players like Iowa’s Brad Banks, Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald, California’s Marshawn Lynch, and Oklahoma’s Josh Heupel. On the coaching side, candidates include Larry Coker, Gary Patterson, and Chris Petersen, each with impressive records.

Coker led Miami to a national title in his rookie season, Patterson is TCU’s all-time wins leader, and Petersen has the most wins in Boise State history, along with leading Washington to the 2016 College Football Playoff.

Lowering Coaching Eligibility Percentage Opens Door for More Candidates, Including Mike Leach

Starting in 2027, the National Football Foundation will slightly lower the minimum winning percentage for coaching eligibility from .600 to .595. This change will open the door for more coaches to be considered for the Hall of Fame, reflecting the evolving standards in college football.

One notable beneficiary of this adjustment is the late Mike Leach, who passed away in 2022. Leach had a career record of 158-107 with a .596 winning percentage, just shy of the previous threshold. Renowned for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to pull off upsets, Leach won 18 games against Top 25 teams when his squads were unranked, cementing his legacy as a coach worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.