Mark Ingram is understandably taken aback that Cam Newton was not included in the College Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 induction class. This sentiment came to light following the announcement made on January 14, which saw Ingram, the former running back for Alabama, named among the honorees. Ingram, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2009, expressed his bewilderment over Newton’s omission from the list, especially given that this was Newton’s first time appearing on the ballot after winning the prestigious award in 2010.
Ingram shared his feelings during a recent episode of his podcast, "The Triple Option," where he was joined by former Florida coach Urban Meyer. "Last year, I felt quite disappointed not to be inducted alongside Coach Meyer and Coach (Nick) Saban," Ingram explained. "Coach Saban was instrumental in my recruitment, and Coach Meyer has become like family to me. So, I couldn't help but wonder why I wasn’t a first-ballot inductee. Given my achievements—being the first player to win the Heisman at Alabama, accumulating nearly 2,000 scrimmage yards, scoring 20 touchdowns, and winning a national championship—it's puzzling to me what criteria are needed for first-ballot consideration.
"Now we have Cam Newton on the ballot, and regardless of my Auburn affiliation, he had one of the most extraordinary seasons in college football history. When you compare him to other legends like Joe Burrow, Reggie Bush, and Tim Tebow, it becomes clear: Newton's stats are staggering. He passed for nearly 3,000 yards and rushed for almost 1,500 yards, achieving a total of 50 touchdowns in a perfect 14-0 season as a BCS national champion. What more could he possibly do to earn first-ballot recognition? While I understand that coaches like Meyer and Saban are icons in college football, it's hard to comprehend what it takes for a player to achieve that same honor.
"Honestly, I'm shocked that Cam Newton isn’t being inducted this time around. I felt the same disappointment for myself last year. I genuinely believed Cam would follow my lead and secure his place in the Hall of Fame during his second chance on the ballot for 2027."
Ingram also reflected on the distinguished individuals joining him in the Class of 2026, which includes notable players such as Jerry Azumah from New Hampshire, Ki-Jana Carter from Penn State, Bruce Collie from UT-Arlington, George Cumby from Oklahoma, Aaron Donald from Pittsburgh, Marvin Harrison from Syracuse, Garrison Hearst from Georgia, Chris Hudson from Colorado, Olin Kreutz from Washington, James Laurinaitis from Ohio State, Jordan Lynch from Northern Illinois, Herman Moore from Virginia, Terence Newman from Kansas State, Bob Novogratz from Army, Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska, Peter Warrick from Florida State, and Eric Weddle from Utah.
Ingram remarked, "I played alongside Olin Kreutz while I was a rookie, and he was already in his 14th year. I have fond memories of playing with James Laurinaitis, a legend from Ohio State, and I'm very familiar with Eric Weddle, having faced him in games. And I can't forget about Garrison Hearst, another legendary running back. This is an incredible class to be inducted with!
"I feel truly honored and immensely grateful for this recognition. It's a dream come true for a young kid from Flint, Michigan, who aspired to excel in football.
Ingram emphasized that his journey to the College Football Hall of Fame was deeply rooted in the support and guidance he received throughout his career. "I had exceptional coaches, teammates, trainers, and academic advisors, as well as a supportive family and friends. This achievement is a collective success, and I owe it to everyone who played a role in my journey. I'm filled with gratitude.
"Moreover, I believe that this recognition is a blessing from God. It's a wonderful thing to add to my list of accomplishments because I see this talent as a gift meant to be shared back with Him. I'm genuinely appreciative of the platform I've been given.
Ingram further revealed that the moment he received the official notification from the College Football Hall of Fame was particularly moving. "They send a letter with a commemorative football, and it states, 'You are joining an elite group. Out of the 5.78 million individuals who have played and coached this game, just over 1,300 have been honored with a place in the College Football Hall of Fame. In other words, less than 1 percent of all players and coaches have achieved this distinction, and now you are among them.' This recognition truly resonates with me.
Mark Inabinett, the author of this piece, has been covering Alabama football players in the NFL for over 12 seasons, marking a long-standing career since his first byline appeared in a newspaper in 1976.
