Overview
- The ballot spans multiple tiers, listing 79 Football Bowl Subdivision players and nine coaches alongside 100 players and 35 coaches from lower divisions.
- Heisman Trophy winners Cam Newton, Mark Ingram and Robert Griffin III headline the player nominees, joined by former AP National Player of the Year Ndamukong Suh.
- Auburn’s presence on the ballot includes Newton alongside linebacker Takeo Spikes and coach Tommy Tuberville.
- NFF members will cast votes through July 1 to select 12 players and two coaches for the Class of 2026, with the enshrined group announced in January 2026.
- A rule change effective in 2027 lowers the minimum career winning percentage for coaches from .600 to .595, making the late Mike Leach newly eligible.