Carter and Hawk Placed on 2027 NFF Hall of Fame Ballot

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State football alumni Cris Carter and A.J. Hawk were placed on the 2027 National Football Foundation (NFF) College Football Hall of Fame ballot, as announced by the organization Monday morning.

Carter was a consensus first team All-American in 1986, becoming the first Buckeye wide receiver to earn All-America honors while also being a two-time first team All-Big Ten selection in 1985 and 1986. Over his three seasons at Ohio State from 1984-86, the Buckeyes win the Big Ten in 1984 and 1986 while also winning the Citrus Bowl and Cotton Bowl during his career.

Over his three seasons as a Buckeye, Carter amassed 164 receptions for 2,725 yards and 27 touchdowns. At the end of his career, he held nine school records. Carter burst onto the national scene as a freshman when he set the Rose Bowl record with nine receptions for 172 yards which both stood for a decade later.

Carter went on to be selected by the Philadelphia Eagles, starting an illustrious 15-year career in Philadelphia and with the Minnesota Vikings. He was an 8-time Pro Bowler, 2-time First Team All-Pro and was named to the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team. Over the course of his career, he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 1995, 1997 and 1999 while also leading the league in receptions in 1994. Carter finished his career with 1,101 receptions for 13,899 yards and 130 touchdowns. His No. 80 is retired by the Minnesota Vikings and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013. Additionally, Carter was named the 1999 NFL Man of the Year for his community involvement off the field.

Hawk was a two-time All-American in 2024 and 2025, earning consensus honors in 2024 and unanimous honors in 2025. He was named the 2005 Lombardi Award winner and the 2005 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year while also being a three-time All-Big Ten selection. Over his four seasons at Ohio State from 2002-05, the Buckeyes were 43-8, winning the National Championship in 2002, the Big Ten in 2002 and 2005 while also winning three additional bowl games.

Over his four seasons as a Buckeye, Hawk collected 394 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and seven interceptions. This includes his 2004 junior season where he compiled 2004 tackles which were the most by an Ohio State player since 1986 and the fifth most in school history.

Hawk went on to be selected in the first round by the Green Bay Packers, finishing as the franchise's all-time leading tackler and also leading the team to a Super Bowl XLV Championship. Hawk played 11 seasons in the NFL also playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons and is a Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee, compiling 946 tackles, 57 tackles for loss, 20.0 sacks and nine interceptions in his career.

Ohio State Players in the College Football Hall of Fame (29)
Year     Name, Pos. (Years at Ohio State)
2026     James Laurinaitis, LB (2005-08)
2024     Chris Ward, OT (1974-77)
2022     Michael Doss, SAF (1999-02)
2020     Keith Byars, RB (1982-85)
2016     Tom Cousineau, LB (1975-78)
2014     Orlando Pace, LT (1994-96)
2012     Eddie George, RB (1992-95)
2009     Chris Spielman, LB (1984-87)
2007     Rex Kern, QB (1968-70)
2005     Jim Houston, E (1957-58)
2004     Jack Tatum, DB (1968-70)
2001     John Hicks, OT (1970, 72-73)
1998     Randy Gradishar, LB (1971-73)
1996     Bob Ferguson, FB (1959-61)
1991     Jim Stillwagon, DT (1968-70)
1989     Aurealius Thomas, G (1955-57)
1986     Archie Griffin, RB (1972-75)
1984     Warren Amling, G/T (1944-46)
1979     Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, RB (1952-55)
1978     Gomer Jones, C (1934-35)
1977     Jim Daniel, T (1939-41)
1976     Vic Janowicz, HB (1949-51)
1975     Gust Zarnas, G (1935-37)
1974     Jim Parker, G (1954-56)
1973     Gaylord Stinchcomb, HB (1917-20)
1971     Bill Willis, T (1942-44)
1969     Les Horvath, QB (1940-42, 44)
1954     Wes Fesler, E 1928-30)
1951     Chic Harley, HB (1916-17, 19)

Ohio State Head Coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame (8)
Year     Name (Years at Ohio State)
2025     Urban Meyer (2012-18)
2015     Jim Tressel (2001-10)
2008     John Cooper (1988-2000)
2002     Earle Bruce (1979-87)
1983     Woody Hayes (1951-78)
1971     Francis Schmidt (1934-40)
1954     John Wilce (1913-28)
1951     Howard Jones (1910)

NFF COLLEGE HALL OF FAME SELECTION PROCESS
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.

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.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik, and journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Hall of Fame, the NFF William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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