The National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame have officially revealed their distinguished 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class. This year's honorees include renowned defensive titans Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald, the celebrated Heisman Trophy recipient Mark Ingram, and the exceptional wide receiver Marvin Harrison, among other luminaries. The induction class, comprising 22 individuals, acknowledges 18 outstanding players and four influential coaches whose legacies have profoundly shaped the sport.
College Football Honors Its Best: A Look at the 2026 Inductees
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the National Football Foundation and the Hall of Fame jointly declared the newest class of inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame. The distinguished roster features two formidable defensive players, Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald, alongside the former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and the prolific wide receiver Marvin Harrison. This esteemed group also welcomes running back Garrison Hearst, safety Eric Weddle, and acclaimed coach Chris Petersen, bringing the total to 22 inductees, consisting of 18 players and four coaches. Notably, ten members of this class were unanimous first-team All-Americans, with eleven offensive and seven defensive standouts. Archie Manning, Chairman of the NFF and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer, expressed immense pride, stating that each inductee ranks among the sport's all-time greats. The induction ceremonies are scheduled for December 8 in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.
Suh, who played for Nebraska from 2006 to 2009, was a dominant force on defense, culminating in an extraordinary 2009 season where he amassed 12 sacks, secured multiple defensive awards, and placed fourth in Heisman voting. Donald, representing Pittsburgh from 2010 to 2013, mirrored Suh's defensive prowess, sweeping top defensive honors in 2013 with an impressive 28.5 tackles for loss. Ingram, Alabama's first Heisman winner in 2009, led his team to a national title with 1,658 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns. Harrison, a standout receiver at Syracuse from 1992 to 1995, recorded 13 100-yard games and 20 career touchdowns before an illustrious NFL career. Hearst, a Georgia Bulldog from 1990 to 1992, finished third in Heisman voting in 1992 with 1,547 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Weddle, a lightly recruited safety from Utah (2003-2006), became a key player in the school's undefeated 2004 season, known for his 18 career interceptions and eight diverse touchdowns in 2006. Coach Petersen, celebrated for his tenures at Boise State (2006-2013) and Washington (2014-2019), achieved three top-five national finishes, including a historic Fiesta Bowl upset win with Boise State in 2006. Other notable player inductees include Jerry Azumah, Ki-Jana Carter, Bruce Collie, George Cumby, Chris Hudson, Olin Kreutz, James Laurinaitis, Jordan Lynch, Herman Moore, Terence Newman, Bob Novogratz, and Peter Warrick. The coaching inductees also feature the late Jim Margraff, Ken Sparks, and Gary Patterson.
This year's College Football Hall of Fame class underscores the profound impact individual excellence and dedicated leadership have on shaping the legacy of collegiate sports. The stories of these inductees, from Suh and Donald's defensive mastery to Ingram's Heisman triumph and Petersen's coaching brilliance, serve as a powerful reminder of the relentless pursuit of greatness and the enduring spirit of competition that defines college football. Their journeys inspire future generations to strive for similar heights, both on and off the field, reinforcing the timeless values of perseverance, teamwork, and athletic achievement.