NFF Press Release
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2019 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including three former Fighting Illini, 76 overall players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks.
Illini greats Moe Gardner, Kevin Hardy and Simeon Rice are among the 76 FBS greats on the ballot.
Sixteen former Illini are currently enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, with one more joining the exclusive list in 2018 - linebacker Dana Howard. Howard will join 16 previously selected Fighting Illini in the hall of fame, including college football legends Red Grange (inducted 1951), Dick Butkus (inducted 1983) and most recently David Williams (inducted 2005). Howard won the Butkus Award in 1994 as the nation's top linebacker, Illinois' first major national award. Induction for the Class of 2018 will take place Dec. 4, 2018, during the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown.
The 2019 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 2019 Class will be made Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played later that day at Levi's Stadium.
2019 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 tackles for loss (57) ... Chosen by Atlanta in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL draft.
LB Kevin Hardy, Illinois: 1995 Butkus Award winner and consensus First Team All-American with 105 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and three interceptions ... Two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection who helped Illini to two bowl berths ... Team captain started 45 games (second all-time among Illini LBs) and ranks fifth all-time at Illinois in sacks (18) and eighth TFL (38) ... Chosen by Jacksonville as the No. 2 pick in the 1996 NFL draft.
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) ... Chosen by Arizona as the No. 3 pick in the 1996 NFL draft.
Illini in the College Football Hall of Fame (17)
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)
Dana Howard, LB (will be inducted 2018)
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)
