IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced on Monday (June 1) that former Southwest Minnesota State University quarterback Jeff Loots, is listed on the ballot for a sixth straight year for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. The ballot includes 80 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 99 players and 39 coaches from the divisional ranks.
 
"For more than seven decades, the NFF College Football Hall of Fame has preserved the legacy of the game's greatest players and coaches, ensuring their stories continue to inspire future generations," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Being named to this ballot places these remarkable individuals among an exceptionally elite group whose achievements helped shape college football history. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to the selection of the next Hall of Fame class."
 
The ballot was emailed on June 1 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.

The announcement of the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2026, with specific details to be announced in the future. The 2027 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 David Flores at dflores@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 NAIA All-American first team and AP Little All-American second team honoree in 1992, was named NAIA All-American second team in 1991 and was an NAIA All-American honorable mention 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 in NAIA history during the 1991 campaign. 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 strength of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame rests in the integrity of its selection process," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. "Each year, our members and Hall of Famers carefully evaluate an outstanding group of nominees whose accomplishments have stood the test of time. Their participation helps preserve the Hall's tradition of excellence while ensuring that the game's greatest contributors receive the recognition they deserve."
     
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.