IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced this week that former Southwest Minnesota State University quarterback Jeff Loots, is listed on the ballot for a fourth straight year for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. The ballot includes 77 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional ranks.
 
"It's an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot considering more than 5.7 million people have played college football and only 1,093 players have been inducted," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "The Hall's requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of about 1,500 individuals who are even eligible. Being in today's elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played the game, and we look forward to announcing the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class early next year."
 
The announcement of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2025, with specific details to be announced in the future. The 2025 voting deadline is July 1. If you would like to become a member and receive this year's ballot, please contact NFF Director of Membership Ron Dilatush at rdilatush@footballfoundation.com.

Loots played at SMSU from 1990-92 and closed his career as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in school history. A native of St. Paul, Minn., Loots was a three-year letter winner and finished his career completing 703 of 1,224 pass attempts for 10,116 yards and 102 touchdowns. He still ranks first in school history for touchdown passes, average yards per completion (14.4), passing yards per game (361.3) and total offense per game (350.2).
 
Loots was a first team NAIA All-American and second team AP Little All-American in 1992, was named second team NAIA All-American in 1991 and was an NAIA honorable mention All-American in 1990. A three-time first team all-conference quarterback, Loots was named the Northern Intercollegiate Conference most valuable player in both 1990 and 1992, becoming the first player in conference history to earn the award twice.
 
Loots had one of the best seasons a quarterback could have during the 1991 season. He led SMSU to a 9-1 record, the best in school history, completing 272 of 464 passes for 4,111 yards, 50 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. He threw five or more touchdowns in six games while also passing for more than 330 yards in eight games.
 
In 1990, he helped lead SMSU to the program's only conference championship while also leading the squad to the NAIA national playoffs before losing in the first round to Carson-Newman (Tenn.).
 
During his senior season in 1992, Loots passed for 2,927 yards and 29 touchdowns in the first seven games before suffering a career-ending injury in week eight.
 
Following his collegiate career, he played in the Arena Football League for eight seasons and was a member of two Arena Football League championship teams.
 
Loots was inducted into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor in 2007 and the NSIC Hall of Fame in 2009.
 
The ballot was emailed on June 3 to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. The Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and members of the media.
 
"Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the College Football Hall of Fame inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Mississippi. "There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport."
     
About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people.
 
With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; The William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & Hatchell Cup presented by the Original Bob's Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Bruin Capital, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Hanold Associates Executive Search, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.