Gators’ Legacy Strong as Three Former Players Land on 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot

Three Former Gators on 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Three former Florida Gators are on the ballot for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame, as announced by the National Football Foundation. Wide receiver Percy Harvin, and defensive linemen Alex Brown and Brad Culpepper are among the 2026 candidates, with the final inductees to be revealed in January 2026, followed by the official induction ceremony on December 8, 2026.

Percy Harvin, one of the most explosive players in Gators history, earned two First Team All-American honors during his three seasons (2006-08) with Florida — as a receiver in 2007 and as an all-purpose player in 2008. Harvin helped lead the Gators to two SEC championships and two national titles, finishing his career with over 1,900 yards and 13 touchdowns receiving, along with 1,800+ yards and 19 touchdowns rushing. He is one of only two players in Division I history since 1996 to surpass 1,500 yards both rushing and receiving. Harvin also made history as the first Gator to record 100 yards in both categories in the same game.

Defensive lineman Alex Brown, a two-time First Team All-American, remains one of Florida’s best defenders. Brown earned consensus All-American honors and was named the AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2001. He is also a finalist for numerous national awards. Nearly 24 years after his time with the Gators, Brown still holds the program’s records for career sacks (33) and single-season sacks (13). He was inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

Brad Culpepper, who played during the early years of Steve Spurrier’s era, is the third Gator nominee. Culpepper played a pivotal role in Florida’s first SEC championship in 1991. A two-time All-SEC selection, he was also a consensus First Team All-American in 1991. With 47.5 career tackles-for-loss, Culpepper still holds the program record for most tackles-for-loss by a defensive tackle. He was inducted as a “Gator Great” into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

Florida has produced 15 Hall of Fame inductees, including 10 players. Notable figures include Steve Spurrier, who was honored as both a player (Heisman Trophy winner) and a coach (led the Gators to their first national championship). The Gators’ most recent inductee was head coach Urban Meyer, honored in 2025, while the last player inducted was quarterback Tim Tebow in 2023.