NFF Release

*To vote on the ballot, an individual must be a member of the National Football Foundation. The 2019 voting deadline is June 22. If you would like to become a member and receive this year's ballot, please contact NFF Director of Membership Ron Dilatush at rdilatush@footballfoundation.com

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Former Saint John's University award-winning student-athlete Blake Elliott '03 was named to the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the sixth consecutive year on Monday, June 4.

Elliott, who played wide receiver for the Johnnies from 2000-03, is one of 176 former student-athletes on the ballot, including one of 100 from the NCAA divisional and NAIA ranks. 

The announcement of the 2019 inductees, including the players and coaches from both the Football Bowl Division and the divisional ranks, will be made Monday, Jan. 7, in Santa Clara, Calif., in conjunction with the College Football Playoff National Championship Weekend. The Jan. 7 announcement will be carried live on www.footballfoundation.org.

The National Football Foundation (NFF) is continuing with its electronic voting system for balloting that it unveiled in 2014. The ballot will be emailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Courts, which deliberate and select the class. 

Those selected will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the 62nd NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 10, 2019, at the New York Hilton Midtown. 



Of the 5.26 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on Nov. 6, 1869, only 997 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, or less than two one-hundredths (.0002) of one percent of those who have played the game during the past 149 years. From the coaching ranks, 217 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction, including SJU's John Gagliardi (Class of 2006).

Elliott excelled for the Johnnies for four years and ended his career as the recipient of the Gagliardi Trophy and a national championship in 2003; a season that included Gagliardi's record-breaking 409th career victory. He owns three NCAA playoff records, two MIAC records and 29 SJU receiving records. Elliott was a three-time All-American, a two-time MIAC Player of the Year, a Gagliardi Trophy finalist as a junior in 2002 and was invited to play in both the AFCA Aztec Bowl and Hula Bowl following the 2003 season. His NCAA all-divisions record for consecutive games played with a reception (47) came to an end in 2008.

He ended his career second all-time in all NCAA divisions in catches (327) and second in NCAA Division III in touchdown receptions (56). Elliott posted 369 receptions for 4,826 yards and 63 touchdowns in his career, as well as 744 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 109 carries (prior to the 2002 season, the NCAA did not recognize playoff-game stats in season or career totals). Elliott was just as dangerous on special teams as he was on the offensive side of the ball, totaling 3,065 yards and seven touchdowns on 195 returns, kickoff and punt combined.

To be eligible for the ballot, 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 years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. 

Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their school's geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, approximately 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Veterans Committee may make recommendations to the Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago.