Illinois Football: Illini make 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Illinois football has a couple of former players making a run at the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame.

Over the past 30 years, the Illini have only had a handful of legendary talent come through the program, and we have had even fewer great seasons. Some legendary players have been identified as potential additions to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Since 1984, the Illini have only had four players get inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame with the latest being in 2018 when Dana Howard was voted in. In 2024, Illinois has a couple of chances to get another player into the Hall of Fame.

On Monday, the College Football Hall of Fame released the list of players and coaches who are on the 2024 ballot. Making the list included former Illinois greats Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy.

Besides the obvious Illinois football players making the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, who else should get votes

These two had some dominant careers with the Orange and Blue. Rice would make the All-Big Ten team in three seasons and as a first-team All-American in 1994 and 1995. He was good enough to be selected No. 3 in the 1996 NFL Draft.

Hardy was right in line with Rice during his time with Illinois. He would earn consensus All-American honors in 1995 and was All-Big Ten in both 1994 and 1995. Hardy would go on to be the No. 2 overall pick, one spot ahead of Rice, in the 1996 NFL Draft.

With 12 votes being allowed, there are some names that stand out to me when it comes to all-time college football greats.

Rice and Hardy should obviously be in. Here is the rest of my pretend ballot:

• Michael Vick
• Alex Smith
• Antwan Randle El
• Kellen Moore
• Ryan Leaf
• Toby Gerhart
• Larry Fitzgerald
• Graham Harrell
• Julius Peppers
• Peter Warrick