IRVING, Texas – A pair of former Mount Union football standouts are on the prestigious 2026 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, announced by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Hall of Fame.

All-Americans and National Champions quarterback Bill Borchert '98 and running back Nate Kmic '09 are on this year's ballot.

Borchert was a two-time All-American who played under center for the Purple Raiders from 1994 to 1997. Mount Union went 50-3 over those four seasons, winning four Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) titles and NCAA Division III National Championships in 1996 and 1997. He won the 1997 Gagliardi Trophy, given to NCAA Division III's top all-around player, and the 1996 and 1997 OAC Mike Gregory Awards as the conference's top offensive back and was a three-time All-OAC First Team selection. He held the school's career record in passing yards (14,482) and still holds the career passing touchdown record (189). He accounted for school records in total offense (15,308 yards) and touchdowns responsible for (200). As a senior in 1997, he threw a school record 63 touchdown passes (still stands today).

Kmic, a three-time First Team All-American, was the Melberger National Player of the Year in 2008 and a two-time D3Football.com Offensive Player of the Year. He helped lead the Purple Raiders to three National Championship Teams (2005, 2006, 2008), earning Stagg Bowl MVP in 2005. Kmic was a three-time D3football.com All-America First Team selection (2006, 2007, 2008), a three-time Associated Press All-American (including First Team in 2008), and an All-American First Team by the AFCA (2008). A three-time All-OAC First Team selection (2006, 2007, 2008), Kmic became college football's (among all divisions) all-time leader in rushing yards (8,074 yards) and was the most prolific scorer in NCAA history (among all divisions) (130 total touchdowns, 780 points), in addition to being the NCAA all-divisions career all-purpose yards leader (9,651). He holds multiple career school records (rushing yards (8,074), rushing touchdowns (125), average rushing yards in a game (144.2), total points scored (780), and total touchdowns scored (130)), in addition to numerous Division III and OAC records. The 2008 OAC Bob Packard Most Valuable Player as the best running back, Kmic was named on D3football.com's All-Decade First Team of the 2000s. He was a member of four straight OAC Championship teams (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).

This year's ballot included 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 35 coaches from the divisional ranks.

"For more than 65 years, the NFF College Football Hall of Fame has stood as the sport's ultimate archive, honoring those whose impact on the game still echoes today," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "This year's ballot carries forward that responsibility, spotlighting individuals who not only excelled on the field but also helped define what college football means to so many."

The ballot was emailed to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current NFF Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. (Individuals can cast a vote this year by clicking here to become an NFF member.)

"Each year, the NFF Hall of Fame ballot provides our members with the meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of college football's most prestigious honor," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. "Our voters are deeply passionate and knowledgeable, and their involvement ensures that those selected represent the very best our sport has to offer. It's a tradition rooted in excellence, and we are excited to see who will be chosen for the 2026 Class."

Of the 5.78 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on Nov. 6, 1869, only 1,111 players have earned induction into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, or less than two one-hundredths of a percent (.02%) of those who have played the game during the past 155 seasons. From the coaching ranks, 237 individuals have achieved NFF Hall of Fame distinction.

The announcement of the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2026, with specific details to be announced in the future.

The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, and they will be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2026 season.