MACOMB, Ill- This week, the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame announced the names on the 2026 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks.
Among the nominees is Western Illinois University Athletics Hall of Famer, Don Greco. Greco was a four-year letter winner for WIU during the program's NCAA Division II era. In 1979, Greco earned Second Team All-America honors from the Associated Press. Following his senior year, he earned First Team honors from the Associated Press. During those two years, Greco was voted All-Mid-Continent Conference and was chosen as the Leathernecks' Most Valuable Player following the 1980 season. This marks the second straight year that Greco has been listed on the College Football Hall Of Fame Ballot.
Greco went on to be drafted 72nd overall by the Detroit Lions in 1981, becoming just the second offensive lineman picked that year in the draft. From 1982-85 he played a total of 45 games for the Lions. In 2000, Greco was inducted into the Western Illinois University Athletics Hall of Fame.
"For more than 65 years, the NFF College Football Hall of Fame has stood as the sport's ultimate archive, honoring those whose impact on the game still echoes today," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "This year's ballot carries forward that responsibility, spotlighting individuals who not only excelled on the field but also helped define what college football means to so many."
The ballot was emailed to more than 12,000 NFF members and current NFF Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. The announcement of the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2026, with specific details to be announced in the future.
The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, and they will be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2026 season.
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