The National Football Foundation’s 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot—released in early June 2025 after an initial announcement on May 30, 2024—features 79 standout players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision. The ballot includes Ndamukong Suh, the former Nebraska dominant defensive tackle, on his first-year ballot .
2. Suh’s Unparalleled Nebraska Career (2005–2009)
Suh’s legendary college timeline began with a medical redshirt in 2005, but from there he quickly became a force:
- 2008: Named First-team All‑Big 12, led Nebraska with 76 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, two interception touchdowns and even a touchdown catch .
- 2009: His senior year is etched in history. He recorded 85 tackles, 12 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, multiple pass breakups, and blocked kicks. His dominance culminated in 12 tackles (with 7 TFL) against Texas in the Big 12 title game. Nebraska’s defense ranked first nationally in scoring defense, tied for second in sacks, and secured the first shutout in Holiday Bowl history .
3. Landmark Accolades of 2009
Suh not only rewrote Nebraska record books but also reshaped national perceptions of defensive players:
- Became the first defensive player to win the AP College Football Player of the Year.
- Awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik, Outland, Lombardi and Bill Willis trophies, and was in the Heisman top four—the highest finish ever by a fourth-place defensive player .
- Achieved unanimous First-team All-American status and earned unanimous Big 12 honors .
4. Hall of Fame Eligibility and Standards
To appear on the ballot, Suh met strict NFF criteria: he earned first-team All-America honors, concluded his college career more than a decade ago, and, as of 2025, has retired from professional football, making him eligible for evaluation .
5. Why Suh Is a Strong Candidate
Suh’s candidacy is rooted in:
- Dominance Across the Board: Few defensive players have amassed such an array of top awards and stats.
- Game Changer: His 2009 campaign redefined how interior linemen were perceived—finishing fourth in Heisman voting solidified that .
- Lasting Impact: Nebraska retired his jersey (#93) and he remains a touchstone for two-way defensive excellence .
6. The Road Ahead
Inclusion on the ballot is a vital first step. Now, Suh must gain enough votes from the selection committee to become one of approximately 12 annual inductees. He’ll be evaluated not only on his on-field brilliance but on post-football conduct—another key NFF consideration .
Conclusion
Ndamukong Suh’s entry on the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot marks a deserved acknowledgment of one of the most decorated defensive college careers in recent memory. From topping the national defensive stat charts to claiming an unprecedented trophy haul, Suh’s University of Nebraska tenure was iconic. Now, as voting commences, he stands poised to cement his legacy in the Hall.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of recent Hall of Fame voting trends, other first-time candidates in 2025, or historical comparisons of defensive nominees.
