University of Massachusets Athletics
Rene Ingoglia Named To 2027 College Football Hall Of Fame Ballot
June 01, 2026 | Football
The former UMass star running back named to the National Football Foundation's ballot
Ingoglia finished his collegiate career as one of the top running backs in school history and was a two-time All-America selection (1994 and 1995) and he was also a three-time All-Yankee Conference selection. Ingoglia became the school and Yankee Conference's all-time leading career rusher with 4,623 yards after he ran for 656 yards during his rookie year, 1,284 yards as a sophomore, 1,505 yards as a junior and 1,178 yards as a senior.
Ingoglia closed out four years of dominance with 10 program records and a pair of the Yankee Conference's top statistical marks. He was the first UMass player in history to average more than 100 yards per game rushing over a career (112.8), posted 21 career 100-plus yard games, three career 200-plus yard performances and out-rushed the entire opposing team 18 times in his career.
Following his college career, Ingoglia played parts of three NFL seasons (1996-98) with the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins. He then competed for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe in 1999, where he helped the team to the World Bowl Championship.
A Massachusetts Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Ingoglia continues to work as a color analyst for ESPN.
The 2027 ballot includes 80 players and nine coaches from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 99 players and 39 coaches from the NCAA divisional and NAIA ranks. The ballot was emailed to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current NFF Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class.
To be eligible for the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, players must have been named a First Team All-American by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least 10 full seasons prior; played within the last 50 years; and cannot be currently playing professional football. Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head football coach; won at least 60 percent of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three full seasons. If a coach is retired and over the age of 70, there is no waiting period. If he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an active coach. In all cases, the candidate's post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed. For more information on the voting procedures click here.
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 journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Hall of Fame, the NFF William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org.
