The National Football Foundation shortlists two legendary Oklahoma Sooners Football players for induction into an elite fraternity, joining a select group of gridiron greats vying for immortality in the 2027 class
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today the names on the 2027 Ballot under consideration for induction into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame. The 2027 ballot includes 80 players and nine coaches from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 99 players and 39 coaches from the NCAA divisional and NAIA ranks.
"For more than seven decades, the NFF College Football Hall of Fame has preserved the legacy of the game's greatest players and coaches, ensuring their stories continue to inspire future generations," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell.
"Being named to this ballot places these remarkable individuals among an exceptionally elite group whose achievements helped shape college football history. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to the selection of the next Hall of Fame class."
The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current NFF Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. Individuals can cast a vote this year by clicking here to become an NFF member.
The NFF Honors Court, chaired by NFF Trustee and NFF College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin (Ohio State), includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, NFF Hall of Famers and members of the media. Click here for the official criteria and the voting procedures, which govern election to the NFF Hall.
"The strength of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame rests in the integrity of its selection process," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. "Each year, our members and Hall of Famers carefully evaluate an outstanding group of nominees whose accomplishments have stood the test of time. Their participation helps preserve the Hall's tradition of excellence while ensuring that the game's greatest contributors receive the recognition they deserve."
The announcement of the 2027 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2027, with specific details to be announced in the future.
The 2027 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 69th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas, and they will be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2027 season.
Of the 5.86 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on Nov. 6, 1869, only 1,129 players have earned induction into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, or less than two one-hundredths of a percent (.02%) of those who have played the game during the past 157 seasons. From the coaching ranks, 241 individuals have achieved NFF Hall of Fame distinction.
Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma-Linebacker
Two-time consensus First Team All-American and 2001 Butkus Award winner…OU's all-time leader in TFL (59) helped Sooners to the BCS National Championship at the 2001 Orange Bowl…2000 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-Big 12 performer posted 431 career tackles.
Josh Heupel, Oklahoma-Quarterback
2000 consensus First Team All-American and Walter Camp Player of the Year…2000 Heisman Trophy runner-up who led the Sooners to a national title at the 2001 Orange Bowl…2000 Big 12 Player of the Year who left OU with virtually every school passing record despite only playing two seasons.
