Will these two Penn State football greats make the College Football Hall of Fame in 2026?

Two of the great Penn State football players of the 1990s − two of the most prolific in school history − are making a run at the College Football Hall of Fame.

Defensive end Courtney Brown (1996-99) and running back Ki-Jana Carter (1991-94) are among 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision on the latest hall of fame ballot, released this week.

The class will be announced early next year before the induction ceremony in December 2026.

There are 21 former Penn State players and five coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame, which is in Atlanta. The most recent inductees include linebackers Paul Posluszny (2024) and LaVar Arrington (2022) and quarterback Kerry Collins (2018).

Arrington’s son, by the same name, will be a freshman linebacker on this year’s Penn State team.

Only two former Lions, Jack Ham and Dave Robinson, are in the college and pro football halls of fame.

This is Brown’s first time on the college ballot; Carter has appeared previously but not received the requisite votes.

Brown was arguably the most dominant pass rusher in school history. He often occupied two and even three Big Ten blockers at a time and made, perhaps, his career highlight play against future hall of fame quarterback Drew Brees. He leaped to intercept a Brees pass and outran the Purdue QB to the end zone for a crucial score in 1999.

Brown left PSU as its all-time leader in sacks (33.0) and tackles for loss (70.0). He also set the school single-game record for tackles for loss with 6.0 against Wisconsin in 1997.

Brown joined Carter as the only Penn State players selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft when the Cleveland Browns picked him in 2000.

Carter, like Brown, was a first-team All-American when he led the Big Ten in rushing in 1994. He piled up 1,539 yards while averaging an astounding 7.8 per carry and scoring 23 touchdowns. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting and helped lead the Lions to their last undefeated season.

For his career, Carter rushed for 2,829 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and 34 touchdowns.

Other notable candidates for the 2026 hall of fame class include Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Syracuse receiver Marvin Harrison, Florida receiver Percy Harvin, Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at  fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

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