IRVING, Texas (Jan. 7, 2026) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Football Hall of Fame announced today that the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will host the 18th NFF National Hall of Fame Salute on Friday, Jan. 9, between the first and second quarters at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. A partnership between the NFF, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, the initiative celebrates the 2025 NFF Hall of Fame inductees during several events, including the on-field salute at the game and an Enshrinement Dinner and jacket presentation at the Hall on Jan. 8.
 
"The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl provides an unmatched national platform to celebrate the individuals who have defined college football across generations," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Recognizing the inductees in Atlanta, in close proximity to the Hall of Fame itself, provides a meaningful conclusion to their yearlong NFF Hall of Fame journey."
 
This year's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will serve as a College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal between No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located in the heart of Atlanta and just a few steps from the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, where the inductees' accomplishments will be forever immortalized. The 2026 salute marks the eighth time the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl has hosted the event.
 
"Atlanta is the epicenter of college football," Peach Bowl, Inc. Chairman Percy Vaughn said. "There is no better place to formally welcome these legends of the game to their new permanent home in the College Football Hall of Fame."
 
"As the organization that led the move of the Hall of Fame to Atlanta and being the founding partner of the Hall, we are honored to recognize these inductees at our Semifinal game and honor their contributions to college football," added Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO & president.
 
The 18th NFF National Hall of Fame Salute at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will highlight the outstanding careers of 18 All-America players and four legendary coaches who established themselves among the greatest to ever set foot on the college gridiron. The group (listed below) was announced in January 2025. They have been honored at their respective schools throughout the season during the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, presented by Fidelity Investments, and they were formally inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9.

"Each Hall of Fame inductee has earned a special place in the history of our great game," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Bringing the class together in Atlanta for the NFF National Hall of Fame Salute adds a meaningful capstone to that journey. We are grateful to Percy Vaughn and Gary Stokan, and to everyone at Peach Bowl, Inc., for their longstanding commitment to the Hall and for helping create a special moment for our inductees and the fans."

Coach Nick Saban is the only member of the 2025 class with an appearance in the Peach Bowl. Coach Saban coached LSU to a 28-14 win over Georgia Tech in the 2000 edition, and he led Alabama to a 24-7 victory over Washington in the 2016 game.
   
PLAYERS:

• Montee Ball, RB (2009-12) – University of Wisconsin
• Gregg Carr, LB (1981-84) – Auburn University
• Blake Elliott, WR (2000-03) – Saint John's University (MN)
• Greg Eslinger, C (2002-05) – University of Minnesota
• Terry Hanratty*, QB (1966-68) – University of Notre Dame
• Graham Harrell, QB (2005-08) – Texas Tech University
• John Henderson, DT (1999-2001) – University of Tennessee
• Michael Huff*, DB (2002-05) – University of Texas
• Jim Kleinsasser*, TE (1995-98) – University of North Dakota
• Alex Mack*, C (2005-08) – University of California
• Terrence Metcalf, OL (1997, 1999-2001) – University of Mississippi
• Haloti Ngata, DT (2002, 2004-05) – University of Oregon
• Steve Slaton, RB (2005-07) – West Virginia University
• Darrin Smith, LB (1989-92) – University of Miami
• Michael Strahan*, DL (1989-92) – Texas Southern University
• Dennis Thurman*, DB (1974-77) – University of Southern California
• Michael Vick*, QB (1999-2000) – Virginia Tech
• Ryan Yarborough, WR (1990-93) – University of Wyoming

 
 COACHES:

• Larry Blakeney* – 178-113-1 (61.1%): Troy University (1991-2014)
• Larry Korver – 212-77-6 (72.9%): Northwestern College [IA] (1967-94)
• Urban Meyer – 187-32-0 (85.4%): Bowling Green State University (2001-02): University of Utah (2003-04); University of Florida (2005-10); Ohio State University (2012-18)
• Nick Saban* – 297-71-1 (80.6%): University of Toledo (1990); Michigan State University (1995-99); LSU (2000-04); University of Alabama (2007-23)

 
 *Unable to attend the Jan. 9 salute.

 
ABOUT PEACH BOWL, INC.
Peach Bowl, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization that operates the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Aflac Kickoff Game, the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament, and manages and operates The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank national coach of the year award. It is the ninth-oldest bowl game in the country and is recognized as college football's most charitable bowl organization, having donated more than $70.7 million to organizations in need. Learn more at chick-fil-apeachbowl.com.

ABOUT THE CHICK-FIL-A COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
The national Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is dedicated to its mission to inspire and entertain by celebrating the passion and traditions of college football and its greatest players and coaches.  The Hall celebrates the universal values of hard work, integrity and perseverance and fulfills its mission through storytelling, impactful programs and unique experiences focused on the core of preservation, celebration, and inspiration.  Located in the heart of Atlanta's sports, entertainment and tourism district, the Hall provides visitors with a highly immersive, interactive, and engaging experience using a blend of historic college football artifacts and state-of-the-art, interactive multimedia exhibits. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the greatest players and coaches as role models for future generations and established its new home in Atlanta in 2014. The College Football Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that provides a national platform for community outreach, education, and character development initiatives, and serves as a premier special event venue. For more information on the Hall, a 10-year TripAdvisor ® Certificate of Excellence recipient, please visit www.cfbhall.com.
 
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 Football Hall of Fame, the 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 and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.