A Hall of Fame Return
The National Football Foundation announced this week that three former Trojan greats — offensive lineman Jeff Bregel, safety Mark Carrier, and offensive lineman Bruce Matthews — have been placed on the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. The announcement, distributed to more than 12,000 members of the National Football Foundation and current Hall of Famers, marks the first time all three have appeared together on the ballot.
Bregel, who anchored the USC offensive line from 1983 through 1986, earned consensus All‑American honors twice and captured the 1985 Pac‑10 Morris Trophy as the conference’s top lineman. His collegiate résumé includes appearances in the 1985 Rose Bowl, the 1985 Aloha Bowl and the 1987 Citrus Bowl, and he captained the Trojans in his senior season.
Carrier, a defensive back, made history as USC’s first Thorpe Award winner in 1989, a season in which he led the nation’s defensive backs and earned consensus All‑American recognition. Drafted in the first round by the Chicago Bears in 1990, Carrier later joined the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Matthews, also an offensive lineman, was a consensus All‑American in 1982 and received the same Morris Trophy that same year. After being selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, Matthews built a Hall of Fame career that culminated in his 2007 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The 2027 Hall of Fame class will be revealed in early 2027, with the inductees set to be honored at the 69th NFF Annual Awards Dinner. Their inclusion on the ballot reflects not only individual excellence but also the enduring legacy of USC football.
While the ballot does not guarantee a spot in the final class, the recognition alone places Bregel, Carrier and Matthews among a select group of candidates. Their stories illustrate how collegiate success can translate into lasting professional legacies, inspiring the next generation of Trojans.