Auburn legend Cam Newton is officially one step closer to college football immortality. The former Heisman Trophy winner and national champion headlines a prestigious list of nominees on the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, joining fellow Auburn greats Takeo Spikes and former head coach Tommy Tuberville. For Newton, it’s another well-deserved recognition in a career defined by dominance, electrifying play, and unforgettable moments.
Newton’s rise to stardom is one of college football’s most remarkable and dramatic stories. After beginning his collegiate career at Florida, transferring to Blinn College, and then arriving at Auburn for the 2010 season, he put together arguably the most impressive single-season campaign in college football history. In just one year on the Plains, Newton threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns, while adding 1,473 rushing yards and 20 more scores on the ground. He led Auburn to a perfect 14-0 record and a BCS National Championship, capturing the Heisman Trophy in the process and forever cementing his place in the sport’s lore.
There was never any doubt about Newton’s on-field talent. His rare blend of size, speed, power, and accuracy made him nearly impossible to stop. But beyond the stats, it was the way Newton elevated everyone around him and delivered clutch performance after clutch performance that left fans and opponents alike in awe. Whether it was rallying Auburn from a 24-point deficit on the road against Alabama or delivering a go-ahead touchdown run in the BCS title game, Newton had a knack for seizing the moment.
Now, 15 years after his unforgettable season, the former Auburn quarterback could be enshrined among the game’s all-time greats. The College Football Hall of Fame ballot includes dozens of worthy candidates each year, but Newton stands out not just for his achievements, but for the seismic impact he had on the sport. His success helped redefine what a quarterback could be in the modern era and paved the way for the dynamic dual-threat stars that followed.
Joining Newton on the 2026 ballot is former Auburn linebacker Takeo Spikes, one of the fiercest defenders in program history. Spikes played for the Tigers from 1995 to 1997, racking up 331 career tackles, including 17 sacks. A leader by example and a relentless competitor, Spikes was the heart and soul of the Auburn defense and a first-round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. His long and productive professional career, which included two Pro Bowl selections, only added to his case for the Hall. But it’s his time at Auburn—where he dominated the SEC and inspired a generation of linebackers—that earned him this latest recognition.
Also featured on the ballot is Tommy Tuberville, the head coach who led Auburn from 1999 to 2008. Tuberville guided the Tigers to an 85-40 record during his tenure, including a perfect 13-0 season in 2004 that saw Auburn finish second in the final polls. That team, which featured stars like Jason Campbell, Cadillac Williams, and Ronnie Brown, was controversially left out of the BCS National Championship game despite its unbeaten record. Still, Tuberville’s legacy at Auburn remains strong. His program was built on physicality, discipline, and a strong defensive identity. Off the field, his influence on players and the community helped shape Auburn’s culture for a decade.
The 2026 ballot serves as a reminder of the rich tradition and impact Auburn has had on college football. With Newton’s dazzling brilliance, Spikes’ gritty leadership, and Tuberville’s steady hand guiding the program, these three nominees helped define different eras of Tigers football. Their inclusion is not just about individual accomplishments, but a celebration of Auburn’s lasting legacy.
For Newton, the Hall of Fame nod is the latest accolade in a career that includes a Heisman, a national title, and an NFL MVP award. While the Heisman and MVP often get more media attention, enshrinement in the Hall of Fame is a reflection of career-long impact, respect from peers, and a place in the sport’s larger history. Newton’s lone season at Auburn was so impactful that even with just one year of eligibility, he’s widely considered a slam dunk for the Hall.
It’s worth noting that eligibility requirements for the College Football Hall of Fame are strict. Players must have been named a First-Team All-American by a major selector, must have played their last college game at least ten years ago, and are evaluated on both athletic performance and character. Newton, Spikes, and Tuberville each meet these criteria with ease.
For Auburn fans, seeing these names on the ballot is a moment of pride. These are not just former players and coaches—they are symbols of greatness, grit, and tradition. They represent the highs of the program and the moments that brought Jordan-Hare Stadium to life. Newton’s touchdown runs, Spikes’ bone-crunching tackles, Tuberville’s undefeated season—these are the memories etched in the minds of Tigers fans forever.
And yet, for all their accomplishments, the Hall of Fame process is never a guarantee. Each year, only a small percentage of nominees are inducted. The National Football Foundation, which oversees the process, must weigh the cases of players and coaches from different eras, positions, and programs. It’s a competitive field, but few can match the resumes or the legacy of Auburn’s trio.
The announcement of Hall of Fame inductees will come in early 2026, and for Newton, Spikes, and Tuberville, the nomination alone is an honor. But for many in the Auburn community, it feels like a long-overdue formality. These men have already earned a place in the hearts of fans—now they await their rightful place in history.
Newton’s larger-than-life presence still resonates throughout the sport. His swagger, smile, and unrelenting confidence captivated a national audience in 2010, and his name still sparks debates about the greatest college players of all time. For younger generations of fans and players, Newton was the blueprint—a quarterback who could dominate with his arm or his legs, who could take over games single-handedly, and who did it all with undeniable flair.
Spikes, meanwhile, continues to be an ambassador for Auburn and the game of football. His intensity on the field was matched by his thoughtfulness off it, and his post-playing career has included mentoring young athletes and speaking out on issues that matter to the football community. Tuberville, now serving in the U.S. Senate, remains a polarizing figure in politics but is still remembered by many for his contributions to Auburn football and the culture he helped foster.
As the 2026 Hall of Fame vote looms, Auburn fans will be watching closely. Whether it’s Newton making another stride toward enshrinement, Spikes getting long-overdue recognition for his defensive dominance, or Tuberville being honored for leading one of the best teams to never play for a title, each nominee carries the hopes of a proud fanbase.
The College Football Hall of Fame isn’t just a museum of great players—it’s a shrine to the sport’s storytellers, trailblazers, and titans. With Cam Newton, Takeo Spikes, and Tommy Tuberville on the 2026 ballot, it’s safe to say Auburn is well represented. Now it’s just a matter of time before one of the Tigers’ most iconic roars echoes through those hallowed halls.
