Complete Ballot 

IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation this week announced the players and coaches who make up the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame ballot. TXST's Claude Mathis was originally named to the 2024 ballot, while Reggie Rivers and Dennis Franchione join the running back as nominees in 2026.

Claude Mathis, Texas State-Running Back-1997 First Team All-American who also earned Second Team All-America honors in 1996 and Honorable Mention laurels in 1995…Two-time Southland Conference Player of the Year and Texas State's all-time career rushing leader (4,691)…Career AP yards (7,423) is a Southland Conference record and ranks eighth in FCS history.

Reggie Rivers, Texas State-Running Back-1990 First Team All-American who ranked nationally in all-purpose (3^rd—160.8 ypg) and rushing (4^th—114.5 ypg) yards during senior campaign…Two-time All-Southland Conference performer led the league in rushing (1,145) and AP yards (1,222) in 1990…1990 Texas State Offensive Player of the Year still ranks third in school annals with 4,015 career all-purpose yards.

Dennis Franchione-Southwestern [KS] (1981-82), Pittsburg State (1985-89), Texas State (1990-91), New Mexico (1992-97), TCU (1998-2000), Alabama (2001-02), Texas A&M (2003-07), Texas State (2011-15)-Two-time NAIA National Coach of the Year before moving into Division I, twice coaching at Texas State and eventually leading the Bobcats' transition to the FBS…Known for revitalizing struggling programs, led New Mexico to its first bowl in 36 years and TCU to its first postseason win since 1957…Took over a 3-8 Alabama team and led the Tide to a 10-win season in just two years, later guiding Texas A&M to consecutive victories over archrival Texas (2006-07) and a berth in the 2005 Cotton Bowl.

The announcement of the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2026, with specific details to be announced in the future.
 
The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, and they will be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2026 season.