Editor’s note: The headline of this article was changed to clarify that Jordan Lynch is the second NIU player ever to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, but the third ever Huskie to be crowned the honor. Former NIU head coach Tom Beck was enshrined into the CFB Hall of Fame in 2004. 

The most electric era in NIU football history gained its ultimate stamp of immortality Wednesday after former NIU star quarterback Jordan Lynch was named to the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame class of 2026. 

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Lynch said in an NIU Athletics press release. “To know that of all the players in the history of college football that just over 1,000 have been selected to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, and to be just the second NIU player named, it’s obviously a great honor.”

Earning college football’s highest honor more than a decade after NIU’s historic Orange Bowl appearance, Lynch becomes only the second player and third Huskie to be inducted, joining former NIU quarterback George Bork and former head coach Tom Beck. 

During his record-setting career with the Huskies, Lynch totaled 10,177 yards from scrimmage, 100 total touchdowns and a 24-4 career record, cementing himself as one of the most dynamic players in college football history. Lynch most notably was a 2013 Heisman Finalist – the highest finish ever by a Mid-American Conference player – after leading NIU to a 12-2 record. 

The year prior, in 2012, Lynch led NIU to its first New Year’s 6 bowl game appearance in program history, facing Jameis Winston and the Florida State University Seminoles. 

Moreover, Lynch set five NCAA quarterback rushing records, including the NCAA single-season quarterback rushing yard record (1,920 in 2013) and single-game quarterback rushing yard record (321 in 2013). 

After college, Lynch was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears in May 2014. After transitioning into a running back, he spent three years with Chicago as a member of the team’s practice squad. 

Lynch then moved to the CFL after signing with the Edmonton Eskimos as a quarterback ahead of the 2016 CFL season. Lynch registered 3 completions for 34 yards and no touchdowns in the CFL. 

Lynch joins a class of 18 former players, notably including Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald, Marvin Harrison, Eric Weddle and more. 

Now, no longer competing professionally, Lynch is the current Head Coach of Mt. Carmel High School. Under his supervision, the Caravans won the Illinois 8A State Championship after finishing the 2025 season 14-0.