UK legend Randall Cobb named to 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Randall Cobb meant everything to Kentucky, and gave his all to the blue and white. Now he may be retired but he might also be heading to the Hall of Fame.
Vanderbilt v Kentucky
Vanderbilt v Kentucky | Andy Lyons/GettyImages

One of Kentucky football’s most electrifying playmakers is one step closer to eternal enshrinement.

Former Wildcat standout Randall Cobb has been officially named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot, the National Football Foundation announced Monday. Known for his versatility, leadership, and sheer dynamism, Cobb becomes a candidate for college football’s highest individual honor—an accolade that would cement his legacy among the sport’s all-time greats.

From 2008 to 2010, Cobb didn’t just play football at Kentucky—he transformed it. Recruited out of Alcoa, Tennessee he quickly evolved into a Swiss army knife under the Commonwealth Stadium lights. You could find him seamlessly lining up as a signal-caller, receiver, running back, and return man. Wherever Kentucky needed a spark, Cobb provided it and then some.

In just three seasons, he accounted for 4,674 all-purpose yards, 35 touchdowns from scrimmage, and five passing touchdowns, all while contributing to special teams with two punt return scores and over 1,000 kick return yards. As a junior in 2010, he racked up 1,441 yards from scrimmage—a single-season showcase of just how unstoppable he could be in open space.

Randall Cobb
Akron v Kentucky | Andy Lyons/GettyImages

Cobb’s impact wasn’t limited to the stat sheet. He was a tone-setter, a culture-changer, and a leader who embodied the heart of Kentucky football. It’s no surprise that when he declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season, fans and coaches alike knew they were losing not just a star, but a generational player.

If inducted, Cobb would join an elite fraternity of former Wildcats in the College Football Hall of Fame, including Bob Gain, Steve Meilinger, Lou Michaels, and Tim Couch. His name would be etched in stone alongside the giants of the game—a fitting honor for a player who made Saturdays in Lexington must-watch television.

After his college career, Cobb was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He went on to play over a decade in the league, earning a Pro Bowl nod and becoming one of Aaron Rodgers’ most trusted targets.

Now, years after first dazzling SEC defenses with no-look passes and ankle-breaking jukes, Cobb stands at the doorstep of college football immortality.

For fans who witnessed his magic firsthand, there’s no debate—Randall Cobb belongs in the Hall of Fame.

📄 Full 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot