A Hall of Fame Race
The National Football Foundation has opened the ballot for the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame, revealing a pair of figures whose careers left distinct marks on the sport.
Tavon Austin, a former West Virginia All‑American, enters his first year of eligibility after a college career that combined elite receiving and rushing production, culminating in a school‑record 2,910 all‑purpose yards and a 344‑yard rushing performance against Oklahoma in 2012.
His versatility earned him first‑team All‑America honors from multiple outlets and helped the Mountaineers capture the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl, while his nine‑season NFL stint spread across six teams underscores his professional longevity.
Coach Jim Carlen, who guided West Virginia, Texas Tech and South Carolina over a 15‑year head‑coaching tenure, brings a 107‑69‑6 record and eight bowl appearances to the Hall’s consideration.
Eligibility rules require coaches to have logged at least ten years and 100 games while winning at least 60 % of their contests, a benchmark Carlen meets after a career that spanned three programs.
The Hall’s selection committee will reveal the 2027 inductees in early 2027, a timeline that has generated buzz among alumni, current players and analysts eager to see how the sport’s history will be honored.
Both Austin and Carlen represent different eras of college football — one defined by explosive playmaking, the other by sustained leadership — highlighting the Hall’s effort to celebrate diverse contributions to the game.