Rice and Hardy nominated for College Football Hall of Fame ballot
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 1, 2026, 6:48 PM
Last updated Jun 1, 2026
Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy have been nominated for the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Both former Illinois players are looking to join 18 past members recognized by the university. Rice is the all-time Illinois sacks leader with 44.5 and had a successful NFL career, while Hardy won the Butkus Award in 1995. Last year, 18 players and four coaches were inducted into the Hall of Fame. The announcement for this year's class will come in early 2027.
- •Rice recorded 44.5 sacks during his college career at Illinois.
- •Hardy won the Butkus Award after a standout 1995 season.
- •The 2027 ballot includes 80 players and nine coaches from FBS.
- •Induction announcements will be made in early 2027.
- •Previous Illini inducted include Moe Gardner and Dana Howard.
- 6:48 PMYahoo Sports — 4 Raiders legends on ballot for College Football Hall of Fame
- 5:47 PMYahoo Sports — Rice, Hardy on College Football Hall of Fame ballot again
"Jun. 1—CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois football program already has had 18 members enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Two former Illini standouts will try to join that elite group later this year. Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy are once again on the 2027 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame, hoping to join former Illini like Moe Gardner and Dana Howard among recent former Illinois ...
"The ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame is out and it features four players who went on to suit up for the Raiders.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 1, 2026, 6:48 PM4 Raiders legends on ballot for College Football Hall of Fame
The ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame is out and it features four players who went on to suit up for the Raiders.
- Yahoo SportsJun 1, 2026, 5:47 PMRice, Hardy on College Football Hall of Fame ballot again
Jun. 1—CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois football program already has had 18 members enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Two former Illini standouts will try to join that elite group later this year. Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy are once again on the 2027 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame, hoping to join former Illini like Moe Gardner and Dana Howard among recent former Illinois ...
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