2018 CFB Hall of Fame Ballot | National Football Foundation
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2018 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including three former Fighting Illini, 75 overall players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 95 players and 29 coaches from the divisional ranks.
Illini greats Moe Gardner, Dana Howard and Simeon Rice are among the 75 FBS greats on the 2017 ballot. All three are repeat candidates.
Sixteen former Illini are currently enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. The most recent Illini inducted was wide receiver David Williams in 2005.
This year's ballot was emailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Courts, which deliberate and select the class. The announcement of the 2018 Class will be made Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. The 2018 class will be inducted at the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 4, 2018, at the New York Hilton Midtown.
2018 Illinois College Football Hall of Fame Candidates
DT Moe Gardner, Illinois: Two-time First Team All-American (unanimous-'89, consensus-'90)…1990 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and 1989 Big Ten Lineman of the Year…Three-time First Team All-Conference pick and set school record for career TFL (57).
LB Dana Howard, Illinois: Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors as a senior…1994 Butkus Award winner and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year…School's all-time leading tackler (595) who led team in tackles each year of career.
LB Simeon Rice, Illinois: Two-time First Team All-American and three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection…Holds conference and school record for career sacks (44.5) and Illini record for career tackles for loss (69)…Set school record for single-season sacks (16).
Illini in the College Football hall of Fame
Alex Agase, G (inducted 1963)
Bob Blackman, coach (inducted 1987)
Al Brosky, DB (inducted 1998)
Dick Butkus, LB (inducted 1983)
Chuck Carney, WR (inducted 1966)
J.C. Caroline, RB (inducted 1980)
Pete Elliot, coach (incudcted 1993)
Jim Grabowski, RB (inducted 1995)
Harold "Red" Grange, RB (inducted 1951)
Edward K. Hall, coach (inducted 1951)
Bart Macomber, RB (inducted 1972)
Bernie Shively, G (inducted 1982)
David Williams, WR (inducted 2005)
George W. Woodruff, coach (inducted 1963)
Claude "Buddy" Young, RB (inducted 1968)
Robert Zuppke, coach (inducted 1951)
