SI's Hall of Fame debate features three former Florida Gators legends

A stacked 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot prompted Sports Illustrated to launch a debate regarding the most worthy candidates.

The difficult reality is that there are more deserving nominees than available spots. Eighty FBS players and nine coaches appear on the ticket, making it one of the deepest and most competitive classes in recent years. Few programs can boast multiple candidates over different eras on one ballot.

For Florida faithful, the discourse is especially important because three former Gators — Percy Harvin, Alex Brown and Kevin Carter — are under consideration.

Harvin was a two-time All-American for Florida, helping Urban Meyer capture two SEC titles and two national championships. Brown stands atop the Orange and Blue’s all-time career sacks list with 33, also holding the single-season mark at 13. Carter was a consensus All-American in 1994 and was a driving force in three of Florida’s SEC championships.

Harvin was mentioned as the most deserving Gator for this class.

Bryan Fischer said Harvin was “so fun to watch on those Florida teams and always had a big play saved up for when the Gators needed one.” Pat Forde noted that he was an “apex weapon” and “the ultimate multipurpose threat in Urban Meyer’s spread offense.”

The challenge for the trio is that they share the ballot with some of college football’s most iconic players. Among the marquee names are former Auburn quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton, former Baylor quarterback and second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft Robert Griffin III, and former Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryan, who was a unanimous All-American and SEC defensive player of the year.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Former Florida football legends at center of SI’s Hall of Fame debate