Two Heisman Legends from the Iron Bowl Await Shocking Hall of Fame Call – Will They Make It?

Will Cam Newton, the former Auburn University quarterback, secure a place in the College Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot appearance? Fans and football enthusiasts alike will find out on Wednesday when the Class of 2026 is announced on ESPN’s “College Football Live” at 1 p.m. CST.

Newton, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2010 while leading the Auburn Tigers to a national championship, is among a notable group of former SEC stars on this year’s ballot. Historically, while Heisman winners have a strong track record for being inducted, they don't always make the cut on their initial attempt. For instance, Alabama's Mark Ingram, the first Heisman winner for the Crimson Tide, is under consideration again after not being inducted in his first year on the ballot last season.

Ingram and Newton both achieved their Heisman Trophy victories while leading undefeated teams to the BCS national championship—Ingram in 2009 and Newton in 2010. The significance of this moment is heightened by the shared history of success within the SEC, which has produced a wealth of football talent.

This year’s ballot features two additional Iron Bowl linebackers—Auburn’s Takeo Spikes and Alabama’s DeMeco Ryans—who are vying for induction. Ryans, a high school star from Bessemer, Alabama, has made a significant impact in the league since his collegiate days.

Adding another layer of intrigue, Tommy Tuberville, the former Ole Miss and Auburn coach who is now a U.S. senator and candidate for governor of Alabama, is also on the Class of 2026 ballot after not being selected for the Class of 2025. His unique transition from coaching to politics exemplifies the multifaceted paths of former SEC coaches.

The Class of 2026 ballot includes a total of 18 players and four coaches. Among the 79 players and nine coaches on the NCAA FBS portion of the ballot, 13 are former SEC stars. Coaches included in this year's consideration are a mix of historical figures and contemporary leaders, such as Dennis Franchione, who had stints at Alabama and Texas A&M, and Jim Carlen, who led South Carolina before their SEC membership.

Former SEC players under consideration include:

• Mark Ingram and DeMeco Ryans from Alabama
• Cam Newton and Takeo Spikes from Auburn
• Florida's Alex Brown, Brad Culpepper, and Percy Harvin
• Georgia's Garrison Hearst and Richard Seymour
• Randall Cobb from Kentucky
• Alan Faneca from LSU
• Deon Grant and Larry Seivers from Tennessee

In total, there are 107 former SEC players currently enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, and the latest inductees include Auburn's Gregg Carr, Tennessee's John Henderson, and Ole Miss's Terrence Metcalf, all of whom entered in the Class of 2025.

The anticipation surrounding the announcement of the Class of 2026 reflects a broader appreciation for college football’s rich history and the impact these players and coaches have had on the sport. For fans of Auburn and college football at large, the potential induction of Cam Newton would not only celebrate his extraordinary college career but also add another chapter to the storied legacy of the SEC.

As the moment of revelation approaches, the excitement builds. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see if Newton and other SEC luminaries will receive the honors they so richly deserve in the College Football Hall of Fame.