The National Football Foundation announced on June 2 the names on the 2027 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, which includes three former Eastern Illinois University football players. The list features 80 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 99 players and 39 coaches from divisional ranks.
Pete Catan, John Jurkovic, and Erik Lora—all standouts from different eras at Eastern Illinois—are among those considered for Hall of Fame voting this year. Pete Catan was a two-time first-team All-American selection at defensive end during both the 1979 and 1980 seasons. He played a key role in the Panthers’ 1978 NCAA Division II National Championship win and their runner-up finish in Division II in 1980. Catan held school records for sacks in a game (6), season (21), and career (47). After his collegiate career, he played professionally in both the Canadian Football League with Winnipeg Blue Bombers and United States Football League with Houston Gamblers, earning All-League honors.
John Jurkovic was also a two-time first-team All-American at defensive end for Eastern Illinois in both 1988 and 1989. He became the first player in Gateway Conference history to be named Defensive Player of the Year twice. Jurkovic helped lead EIU to a conference title in 1986 as well as two appearances in the NCAA I-AA playoff quarterfinals. He set a conference record with six sacks in one game and finished his career as league leader with 27 career sacks. Following college, Jurkovic had a nine-year NFL career, including earning second-team All-League honors with Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996.
Erik Lora earned first-team All-American honors at wide receiver for Eastern Illinois during both the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award each year—finishing fourth in 2012 and seventh when teammate Jimmy Garoppolo won it in 2013. Lora was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year once and was twice selected as first-team all-conference. During his tenure he contributed to three OVC titles for EIU, received FCSADA Wide Receiver of the Year honors, broke multiple receiving records at EIU and within OVC, and still holds an FCS single-season record with his total of 136 receptions during the Panthers’ successful run.
Former Eastern Illinois quarterback Tony Romo became EIU’s first player inducted into College Football Hall of Fame when he joined coach Darrell Mudra following his induction ceremony held December 2021.
