Todd Lyght and Manti Te’o, two of Notre Dame’s most decorated defenders, have been named to the National Football Foundation’s official ballot for the Class of 2026 in the College Football Hall of Fame. Their inclusion is both a testament to their extraordinary collegiate achievements and a fitting nod to the enduring impact they’ve had on one of college football’s most storied programs. While the announcement is only that they are on the ballot—not yet inducted—it signals they’re among a select group of former athletes whose careers are being seriously weighed for the sport’s highest honor .
Todd Lyght, a standout cornerback for the Fighting Irish from 1988 to 1991, stood as one of the most dominant defensive backs of his era. A two-time consensus All-American, he was the epitome of consistency and instinct in the secondary . His senior year capped off a decorated college career with 11 interceptions and a leadership role as team captain. Under his watchful coverage, Notre Dame secured its most recent consensus national championship in 1988. The legacy of that undefeated season is inseparable from Lyght’s presence on the field.
Lyght transitioned seamlessly to the NFL after being selected fifth overall in the 1991 draft. He spent 12 seasons in the league, playing first for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and later the Detroit Lions. His career highlights included six interceptions and one touchdown during the Rams’ legendary 1999 “Greatest Show on Turf” Super Bowl run. That season earned him a Pro Bowl berth and second-team All-Pro honors . While his pro exploits are impressive, it’s his college work that earned him a spot on this prestigious ballot.
Manti Te’o’s collegiate story may be more recent, but no less compelling. From 2009 to 2012, he emerged as the figurehead of Notre Dame’s defense, culminating in a senior year that was among the most decorated in college football history . In 2012, Te’o became the first defensive player ever to sweep six major national awards in one season—the Maxwell, Walter Camp, Bednarik, Butkus, Lombardi, and Nagurski Awards. Incredibly, he also finished as the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting, the first solely defensive athlete to have achieved such since 1980 .
He concluded his senior campaign with 113 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and seven interceptions, propelling Notre Dame to a national championship game appearance . While his pro career was solid though not Hall-bound, his collegiate résumé is as elite as any defensive player’s of the past half-century.
That both Lyght and Te’o appear on this year’s NFF ballot reveals how Notre Dame continues to produce defensive legends whose legacies echo far beyond South Bend. The ballot was released in June 2025. It comprises 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), plus an additional 100 players and 35 coaches from lower divisions . This early-stage recognition precedes the Honors Court’s deliberations and the final inductee announcement scheduled for early 2026. Should Lyght and Te’o be selected, the formal induction will take place on December 8, 2026, at the NFF Annual Dinner in Las Vegas, followed by on-campus ceremonies during the 2026 season .
Lyght’s backstory is a classic Notre Dame tale. Born in 1969, he played at Powers Catholic High and emerged at Notre Dame as a freshman. His sophomore year locked him in as a starter, and he rose to national prominence by his junior year, notching eight interceptions in 1989—two shy of the school record . His accolades included finalist status for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation’s best defensive back. But it was the national title run of 1988 and his key role that cemented his legacy. On his way out of college, he had also proven a leader—the very embodiment of the culture Bill and Ara Parseghian had cultivated.
Te’o, by comparison, became a household name. After attending Punahou School in Hawaii, he arrived at Notre Dame in 2009 and steadily built his resume before exploding onto the scene in 2012. That year, his accomplishments were historic; no linebacker had ever achieved that level of national recognition . A humbling human element emerged later, when Te’o disclosed that his senior success had been overshadowed by the emotional trauma of a “catfish” hoax—an entirely separate story, yet one that showcased his character in navigating adversity .
Off the field, both men excelled beyond athletics. Lyght went on to earn a Super Bowl ring and fashioned a 12‑year NFL career. He later served as a coach, including a stint back at Notre Dame. Te’o, after eight years in the NFL, transitioned into roles as a broadcaster and commentator with NFL Network . In NFF selections, post‑career conduct is a factor, and each has contributed positively to the sport and their institutions.
Their time on the ballot also triggers renewal of debate on the criteria for College Football Hall of Fame induction. The NFF requires time elapsed, All-American status, excellence on the field, and significant contributions to the program. The NFF emphasizes that only about 1,111 players (and 237 coaches) have ever been enshrined—a testament to the selectivity and prestige . On this ballot, eight “National Scholar-Athletes” are included among the 79 FBS players: Bregel, Culpepper, Ryans, Te’o, Vilma plus others . Te’o himself is on that list for academic and athletic excellence .
Contextualizing those numbers, students of the sport know how rare this honor is. Only about two-hundredths of one percent of all college players in four decades make the Hall . Notre Dame, with over 50 inductees, is the most-represented school, and having two nominees in the same year reflects abiding strength in its defensive tradition .
That Notre Dame’s fan base and media have rallied behind the duo is no surprise. On social platforms, Notre Dame football accounts celebrated the announcement. A post on X (formerly Twitter) declared: “Irish legends ☘️ Two names known nationwide and here in South Bend Todd Lyght and Manti Te’o are on the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame” . A Yahoo Sports article noted simply, “Two former Notre Dame football stars, LB Manti Te’o and CB Todd Lyght, are on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame” . On3.com ran a feature under the title, “Notre Dame legends Manti Te’o, Todd Lyght make 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot,” re‑highlighting their case .
Notre Dame’s rich defensive history complements their strong offensive tradition. The school’s 55 Hall of Famers—the most of any program—includes the incoming candidates. Should Lyght and Te’o cross the final threshold, they’ll join a line that includes legends like Tim Tebow, Charles Woodson, Joe Theismann, Alan Page, Leon Hart, and Paul Hornung . Notre Dame’s most recent inductee was linebacker Michael Stonebreaker in 2023 .
Accompanying Te’o on the 2026 ballot is former Miami linebacker Jonathan Vilma; among others are FBS standouts like Mark Ingram, Cam Newton, and RGIII . Each brings a narrative of talent and leadership, but only a few will ultimately be elected. The NFF’s voting involves over 12,000 members—Hall of Famers, members of the media, and administrators—capped by a decision from the Honors Court chaired by Archie Griffin .
For Todd Lyght, the Hall-Ballot recognition confirms the legacy he built at Notre Dame, where his interceptions, leadership, and athleticism helped restore the program’s place atop college football. For Manti Te’o, the nod recognizes a transformative senior season that transcended decades of defensive excellence and redefined possibilities for linebackers in the game. Their stories—one from the late 1980s, the other a flashpoint of the modern era—underscore the evolving legend of Notre Dame football.
Looking ahead, the official induction ceremony next December in Las Vegas will finalize their roles in college football history—or not. Whether they’re chosen remains in the hands of Hall voters. Regardless, their nomination alone cements their names among the elite. It demonstrates how two defenders from different eras can both claim rightful spots on the greatest stage in the sport’s history.
For Notre Dame fans and college football purists, this ballot announcement represents something more: the validation of hard-hitting, playmaking defense, academic integrity, and team-first leadership. It underscores the importance of honoring not just offensive superstars, but those who built programs from the back end. With Lyght and Te’o on the ballot, we’re reminded that while quarterbacks and coaches often dominate the spotlight, the game is won in the trenches—and with tackling corners and tackling linebackers.
As the summer of 2025 unfolds, the NFF ballot list collects hundreds of names from storied programs and smaller colleges alike. Three former Louisiana Tech standouts also made the list . But amid that national snapshot, for Notre Dame’s faithful, the inclusion of Todd Lyght and Manti Te’o stands out for what it says about sustained excellence and the timeless value of defense in the Irish tradition.
In conclusion, Todd Lyght and Manti Te’o are formally in contention for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame. Their placement on the official NFF ballot is neither symbolic nor sentimental—it reflects hard-earned milestones: consensus All-American honors, national awards, championship battles, and personal leadership. On-campus celebrations will await later should they be selected, but for now the designation recognizes two men whose contributions remain deeply woven into Notre Dame’s football fabric.
They are distinguished, they are deserving, and amid the list of several dozen hopefuls vying for enshrinement, Lyght and Te’o stand tall. The story now moves forward to the voters, the Honors Court, and a ceremony that may come to be known as one of Notre Dame’s finest defensive tributes. As they await results in early 2026, their names are already hall-worthy—and their journeys, the stuff of legend.
