The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame has released the 2027 ballot, revealing a slate of former Ohio Valley Conference standouts who are now in contention for a place among the sport’s legends.
A Competitive Field
The ballot includes nine former OVC players and coaches, among them Joe Campbell, Don Griffin, Steve McAdoo, Tim Ford, Paul Gray, Markus Thomas, Erik Lora, Jim Feix and Charles Murphy. Their careers span more than a decade of collegiate competition, and each has earned recognition that aligns with the Hall’s stringent eligibility requirements.
Selection Process
Voting will be conducted by members of the National Football Foundation and current Hall of Famers, who will evaluate each candidate against a set of established criteria. Those standards demand first‑team All‑America honors, a minimum of ten full seasons since the player’s final game, and a record of citizenship that reflects positively on the sport.
Eligibility Details
Coaches on the list must have served as head coaches for at least ten years and compiled a minimum of one hundred games with a winning percentage of .600 or better. The Hall also requires that all candidates’ final seasons occurred within the past fifty years, ensuring that the induction class reflects recent impact on the game.
Path to Induction
The class will be announced in early 2027, and the inductees will be honored at the 69th NFF Annual Awards Dinner. In addition, each new member will receive an on‑campus salute during the 2027 season, allowing their alma mater to celebrate the achievement alongside current students and alumni.
The upcoming class underscores the enduring influence of Ohio Valley Conference programs on the national stage, highlighting how collegiate success can translate into lasting contributions to the sport and to society.