The National Football Foundation has released its 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, featuring a select group of former Western Kentucky University athletes and a legendary coach. Among the nominees are five Hilltopper alumni who have left indelible marks on the program’s history, alongside Jimmy Feix, whose coaching career reshaped the team’s trajectory.
A lineage of champions
Tim Ford, a defensive end who earned First Team All‑American honors in 1980, was a cornerstone of the 1980 Ohio Valley Conference championship squad. His performance helped cement a defensive legacy that still resonates in WKU’s record books.
Erik Dandy, a linebacker from 2000 to 2003, collected multiple All‑American selections and was a key contributor to the 2002 Division I‑AA National Championship team. The following year, he helped the Hilltoppers secure another title and later earned induction into the WKU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Buster Ashley, an offensive lineman and consensus All‑American, was integral to the same championship‑winning 2002 squad. His name joins a short list of six consensus All‑Americans in program history, and he too was recognized on the WKU Football All‑Century Team.
Paul Gray, a two‑time AP First Team All‑American linebacker in 1982 and 1983, remains one of the most decorated defenders in WKU lore. His achievements earned a place in the NFL Draft, where the New Orleans Saints selected him in the tenth round, and his name continues to appear throughout the university’s defensive records.
Jimmy Feix, the only coach in WKU history to surpass 100 wins, guided the Hilltoppers to the NCAA Division II championship game in 1973 and 1975. His pioneering efforts were honored with a spot in the inaugural WKU Athletic Hall of Fame class and now receive national recognition on the Hall of Fame ballot.
The upcoming class will be announced in early 2027, with the inductees set to be celebrated at the 69th NFF Annual Awards Dinner. Their inclusion underscores the lasting influence of WKU football on the broader collegiate landscape.