MAJOR-NEWS: Oklahoma Legends Up for Immortality? Trio of Sooners Make Shocking Appearance on 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot!

Three Former Oklahoma Stars Return to 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Three Oklahoma legends — linebackers George Cumby and Rocky Calmus, along with quarterback Josh Heupel — are once again in the running for college football’s top individual honor. All three former Sooners have reappeared on the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot after also being nominated last year.

Joining them is a familiar name in Oklahoma football circles: Larry Coker. A native of Okemah, Oklahoma, Coker played at Northeastern State and previously served as OU’s offensive coordinator from 1990 to 1992. He also spent time on staff at Oklahoma State and Tulsa before making his mark as the head coach at Miami.

The 2026 ballot includes 79 FBS players and 10 head coaches, along with 100 players and 35 coaches from the lower divisions. Voting is conducted by over 12,000 members of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Famers, with final selections made by the NFF Honors Court and the new class announced in January.

Oklahoma already boasts 30 Hall of Fame players and four coaches, with recent inductees including Dewey Selmon (2024) and Roy Williams (2022).

George Cumby (1976–1979)

A product of Tyler, Texas, Cumby was a dominant force at inside linebacker in Oklahoma’s famed 5-2 “Okie” defense. He was a two-time All-American, earned Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year honors in both 1978 and 1979, and finished with 405 career tackles — still among the top in program history. Drafted 26th overall by the Packers in 1980, he played eight seasons in the NFL.

Rocky Calmus (1998–2001)

The Jenks, Oklahoma, native transitioned from high school running back to one of the most feared linebackers in college football. Under Bob Stoops, Calmus became a two-time All-American, two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and winner of the 2001 Butkus Award. A third-round pick by the Titans, injuries limited his NFL career to just 27 games.

Josh Heupel (1999–2000)

Heupel’s transfer to Oklahoma sparked a revival of the Sooners’ program under Bob Stoops. In just two seasons, he rewrote the school’s passing records and led Oklahoma to the 2000 national championship. Though injuries derailed his NFL chances, Heupel transitioned into coaching, eventually becoming head coach at UCF and now Tennessee, where he has compiled a 37–15 record entering his fifth season.