The 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
The National Football Foundation has released the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, a 80‑player list that spans decades of gridiron greatness. The announcement marks the first step toward selecting the next class, which will be revealed in early 2027 and honored at the 69th NFF Annual Awards Dinner.
Among the nominees are two Notre Dame legends whose careers defined different eras of Irish football. Luther Bradley, a defensive back from the 1970s, still holds school records for career interceptions and interception return yards, while Manti Te’o, a linebacker whose 2012 season captured national attention, earned every major defensive award that year.
Bradley’s impact was immediate and lasting. As a consensus First Team All‑American in 1977, he helped the Fighting Irish secure a national title under coach Dan Devine. His record of 17 career interceptions and a 103‑yard return against Purdue in 1975 remain untouched, underscoring his playmaking ability.
Te’o’s 2012 campaign was nothing short of historic. The linebacker swept the Maxwell, Walter Camp, Bednarik, Butkus, Lombardi, and Nagurski Awards, becoming the first defensive player in over three decades to finish in the top two of Heisman Trophy voting. He also guided Notre Dame to its first national championship game appearance since 1988 and was named a Scholar‑Athlete by the Foundation.
Other Notable Contenders
The ballot also includes future Hall of Famers such as Cris Carter, Tony Gonzalez, and Marshawn Lynch, alongside more recent stars like Robert Griffin III, A.J. Hawk, and Cam Newton. Their inclusion reflects the breadth of talent that the Foundation aims to honor, from explosive quarterbacks to relentless pass rushers.
Voting for the class involves more than 12,000 members of the National Football Foundation and current Hall of Famers, ensuring that the selection process draws on deep institutional knowledge and a broad base of expertise.
The final class will be announced in early 2027, culminating in a ceremony that will take place during the 69th NFF Annual Awards Dinner. The event promises to celebrate not only the inductees but also the enduring spirit of college football.
As the nomination period closes, the football community eagerly anticipates which players will join the prestigious ranks of the Hall of Fame, a testament to excellence on and off the field.