The buzz around the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class is real—and rightfully so. This year’s nominee list has football fans reminiscing about gridiron greatness from campuses across the country. And if you're a Denver Broncos fan, you had extra reason to smile: six former Broncos legends were included in the nominations. Among them? The fearsome pass rusher Elvis Dumervil, a name that still brings chills to opposing quarterbacks.
But one name glaringly absent from the list sparked more conversation than some who made it.
That name? Aqib Talib.
Yes, that Aqib Talib—the shutdown corner who could flip a game in a single play, and the man with both the college and pro accolades to back up his swagger. Fans weren’t the only ones scratching their heads. Talib himself chimed in on X (formerly Twitter), sounding off in a way that only Talib can.
“Y’all tell me,” Talib tweeted. “Am I College Football Hall of Fame? Go check the numbers (Offense & Defense) and accolades and let me know! I’m just saying NFF! This was on my mind this morning.”
You can feel the sting. The man doesn’t lack confidence—and honestly, with a résumé like his, maybe he’s got a point.
A Look Back at Talib’s Kansas Days 📚🏈
Before Talib became one of the NFL’s most feared defensive backs, he was making waves at the University of Kansas from 2005 to 2007. And he didn’t just play defense—he dominated. Over 34 games, he stacked up:
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162 total tackles
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13 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns)
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2 forced fumbles
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322 interception return yards
But wait—it gets better.
Talib wasn’t content with just locking down opposing receivers. He dabbled in offense too, with 9 receptions for 224 yards and 5 touchdowns in his final two seasons. Talk about a dual-threat athlete. It’s rare to see a cornerback contribute on both sides of the ball at that level.
Oh, and did we mention the hardware?
🏆 Jack Tatum Trophy winner (best defensive back in the nation)
📜 Unanimous All-American
📅 First-team All-Big 12 in both 2006 and 2007
If we’re talking about college football greatness—how exactly does that not merit at least a nomination?
The NFL Chapter: Just As Legendary 🏆🧡💙
Though we’re focused on college accolades, you can’t ignore the shadow Talib cast in the NFL. His pro career spanned 12 seasons, including five Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro selections. Broncos fans will forever remember his role in their Super Bowl 50 championship season.
Stats don’t lie:
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35 career interceptions
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10 pick-sixes (4th most in NFL history)
Talib wasn’t just a shutdown guy—he was a game-changer. But while the Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibility clock ticks on, Talib’s college career is what’s under the microscope right now.
Why the Snub? 🤔
The National Football Foundation (NFF), which oversees the Hall of Fame, is notoriously selective. Only a fraction of college legends make the list, and with so many stars every year, someone always gets left out.
But the absence of Talib, despite the accolades, stats, and impact, raises eyebrows. Maybe it's politics. Maybe it's just an oversight. Or maybe, as some critics argue, Talib’s off-field incidents throughout his NFL career are casting a long shadow over his collegiate achievements.
Is that fair? That’s up for debate.
The Fans Speak 🗣️🔥
Talib’s tweet opened the floodgates. Fans flooded social media with their takes:
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“No way he should be left out! Numbers don’t lie.”
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“College Hall of Fame needs to explain this one.”
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“He was the guy at Kansas. Literally carried the team.”
And honestly? They’ve got a point. Talib helped elevate Kansas to a national spotlight they hadn’t seen in decades. His 2007 season was part of one of the best years in Jayhawks history, culminating in an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech—where Talib, naturally, returned a pick-six in the first quarter.
Who Did Make the Cut? 👀
While Talib was left out, six other ex-Broncos found their names on the nominee list:
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Elvis Dumervil – A sack machine at Louisville and an NFL standout
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(Other names were not listed in the original content, but likely included past Broncos with impactful college careers)
Seeing Dumervil make the list is well-deserved—no doubt. But it also sharpens the contrast with Talib’s omission. If we’re honoring defenders who defined their college eras, it’s hard to make a list without #3 from Kansas.
So, Should Talib Be In?
Look, it’s not an easy call. The College Football Hall of Fame sets high standards. But if dominance, versatility, and accolades matter—and they absolutely should—then Aqib Talib has a rock-solid case.
He was a unique player in college football history. Not just a defender, but a playmaker. Not just a lockdown corner, but a touchdown threat. If being great on both sides of the ball doesn’t get you a Hall of Fame nod, what will?
Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Talib?
Talib is now eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and his case there may be even stronger. But right now, the focus is squarely on his college legacy. He’s made it clear he feels disrespected—and his numbers back up the frustration.
One thing’s for sure: This conversation isn’t going away anytime soon. Whether it's this year or next, Aqib Talib is a name we’re going to keep seeing in Hall of Fame debates.
So what do you think?
Should Talib be in the College Football Hall of Fame?
Drop your hot takes on Facebook, Twitter/X, or wherever you talk football. This debate is just heating up. 🗣️🔥
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